General Phan Van Giang affirms progress in restructuring, equipping the army for strategic and high-tech challenges.
At the 14th National Party Congress today, Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam’s armed forces have “basically completed” a major reorganization. Several service branches and units are now advancing directly to modern standards, forming a streamlined and powerful military structure.
General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, delivers remarks at the Congress.
Presenting his report during the plenary session focused on Congress documents, General Giang emphasized the goal of building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern People’s Army - a core force in developing a strong, modern all-people defense system integrated with public security and rooted in public trust.
Over the past five years, the global and regional landscape has seen rapid, complex shifts. In response, the Party and State have enacted bold and historic decisions, yielding significant national achievements.
The nationwide political apparatus has undergone a structural revolution, creating new developmental space - including in military and defense domains.
The strategic goals laid out in the 13th Party Congress regarding the military’s development have been implemented decisively and effectively, General Giang said.
Throughout this period, the army has upheld its core values, heroic traditions, unity, creativity and initiative, overcoming numerous challenges. It has fulfilled its mission in all areas - with many tasks completed exceptionally - leaving a lasting mark on national defense progress.
The army has actively advised and contributed to key resolutions, strategies and directives issued by the Central Committee, Politburo and Secretariat on military and defense matters - ensuring national security in both immediate and long-term contexts.
Vietnam’s all-people defense posture - closely linked with the all-people security framework - has been continuously reinforced. Defense planning has been adjusted to align with national socio-economic strategies, administrative boundaries, and the structure of local government at two levels.
The military has played a critical role in rapid-response missions, consistently present in hazardous and high-risk areas. Armed forces have coordinated with other sectors to prevent and address natural disasters, epidemics, environmental crises and rescue operations, while supporting poverty reduction and new rural development.
International integration and defense diplomacy have remained one of the key pillars of the Party’s foreign policy. The military’s global engagement continues to elevate Vietnam’s international reputation and influence.
General Giang reported that major progress has been made in building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern army. Some service branches and units have moved directly to modernization. The military has completed the restructuring of over 5,000 units, with personnel prioritized for combat-readiness missions, especially along border areas and on islands.
Vietnam’s defense industry has advanced under a dual-use, modern approach. Breakthroughs have enabled mastery of core and foundational technologies. The army has successfully produced modern weapons, technical equipment, strategic tools, special-purpose fuels and high-tech dual-use products - significantly contributing to defense capacity and national industrialization.
General Giang affirmed: “Building a revolutionary, regular, elite and modern People’s Army - the core force of a strong and modern all-people defense posture, closely tied to public security and rooted in people’s trust - is essential to ensuring the nation's steady progress in the new era.”
Upholding the military’s core role
Delegates from the Army Party Committee attend the discussion session at the 14th National Party Congress.
To accomplish these strategic goals, the Defense Minister stressed the importance of maintaining a politically strong army, deeply connected to the people. This includes preserving the Party’s absolute, direct and comprehensive leadership and the State’s unified management over military affairs.
He called for building a clean, strong and exemplary Party organization within the army - with high combat capacity and a culture of excellence. Key to this will be implementing breakthrough policies to attract and retain talent, invest in resources, and develop smart, modern military academies. Training and capacity-building - both domestic and international - will be expanded.
The army will continue to streamline its structure, ensuring an efficient and balanced organizational model. Military leadership, command and operational mechanisms will be refined through updated regulations.
On training and education, General Giang outlined efforts to improve quality across the board - especially mastering modern weapons and equipment, and enhancing combat drills tailored to diverse war scenarios.
Defense industry development will be further accelerated - with a focus on autonomy, self-reliance, dual-use capacities, and cutting-edge technologies. Vietnam aims to design, produce and upgrade strategic weapons systems, thereby enhancing the army’s combat power and modernization.
The Defense Minister also emphasized deeper international integration through defense diplomacy - increasing bilateral and multilateral cooperation in training, joint exercises, and non-traditional security responses.
Finally, he reiterated the military’s central role in shaping a robust, modern all-people defense posture tied to a strong “people’s trust” strategy. National defense must be effectively integrated with economic, cultural, social and diplomatic development goals.
Vietnamnet.vn
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