Ho Chi Minh studied and wrote guidelines for the establishment of Vietnam’s armed forces. The documents define what a guerilla force is, how to organise a guerilla unit, how to wage a guerilla warfare, how to build a guerilla base, objectives of guerilla tactics and fighting principles of a guerilla unit, and others. In December 1944, Ho Chi Minh issued an instruction on the establishment of the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Unit. He affirmed the role and responsibility of the unit as the forerunner of Vietnam’s future armed forces.

Ho Chi Minh told these people’s soldiers to fight for the people’s interests. They must not be haughty and vainglorious. They should love and assist the people and each soldier should be a propagandist through his actions.

On their part, the people love and support our liberation soldiers. They even willingly sacrifice their lives to defend Uncle Ho’s soldiers.

Ho Chi Minh instructed his soldiers to accept a hard, needy and risky life for national independence and freedom and people’s happiness and prosperity. They should love and unite with each other. Senior officers should take care of the material and spiritual life of their soldiers. He said it was the foundation for democracy, unity and success.

The power relationship between the Vietnamese liberation forces and the enemy was always unbalanced. Enemy troops received regular training and were equipped with modern weapons. However, they were only mercenaries who fought without aim or ideal. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese liberation soldiers only had rudimentary weapons and lacked food and clothing, but fought for national independence and freedom and people’s happiness and prosperity. Our liberation army fought for justice and the nation’s existence. They were determined to die for the nation’s survival. The August 1945 Revolution, the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the successful Ho Chi Minh campaign proved that the heroic Vietnamese nation had created a heroic army. Vietnam is proud of defeating the colonialist and imperialist ringleaders who have posed a dangerous threat to countless countries worldwide. Our army has developed to be worthy of Uncle Ho’s teachings.

Vietnam is independent and free and its role has been raised in the world. It is still important for the armed forces to defend the homeland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Led by the Vietnam Communist Party, our army has further promoted their heroic tradition to transform themselves into seasoned and modern armed force. Each army officer and soldier must study politics and military science. They should thoroughly comprehend the Party’s guidelines and State policies and military strategies and tactics.

The Vietnam People’s Army has been strengthened. Soldiers receive regular and modern training. All arms and services are well prepared to defend the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. They have promoted the quality and moral traditions of the liberation army through teaching basic literacy to minorities in mountainous, remote and inaccessible areas, providing healthcare for the poor, helping farmers in their production and supporting victims of natural disasters to overcome their difficulties. They have realised Uncle Ho’s teachings to be a friend and supporter of the people.