vietnam national defence 2009 - eth z · socialist republic of vietnam has published the third...

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VIETNAM NATIONAL DEFENCE

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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAMMINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

VIETNAMNATIONAL DEFENCE

HANOI 12 - 2009

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PRESIDENT HO CHI MINHTHE FOUNDER, LEADER AND ORGANIZER OF

THE VIETNAM PEOPLE’S ARMY(Photo taken at

Dong Khe Battlefield inthe “Autumn-Winter Border” Campaign, 1950)

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FOREWORD

The year of 2009 marks the 65th anniversary of thefoundation of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) , an armyfrom the people and for the people. During 65 years ofbuilding, fighting and maturing, the VPA together with thepeople of Vietnam has gained a series of glorious victorieswinning major wars against foreign aggressors, contributingmightily to the people’s democratic revolution, regainingindependence, and freedom, and reunifying the wholenation. This has set the country on a firm march towardbuilding socialism, and realising the goal of “a wealthypeople, a powerful country, and an equitable, democraticand civilized society.”

Under the leadership of the Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV), the country’s comprehensive renovationhas gained significant historical achievements. Despite alldifficulties caused by the global financial crisis, naturaldisasters and internal economic weaknesses, the country’ssocio-political situation remains stable; national defence-security has been strengthened; social order and safety havebeen maintained; and the international prestige and positionof Vietnam have been increasingly improved. As a result,the new posture and strength for building and safeguardingthe Homeland have been created.

In the process of active and proactive internationalintegration, under the complicated and unpredictable

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conditions in the region as well as in the world, Vietnam hashad great opportunities for cooperation and developmentwhile facing severe challenges and difficulties that mayhave negative impacts on the building and safeguarding ofthe Homeland. This situation requires the VPA to furtherexert itself to successfully fulfilling all tasks, in particularcontributing to the planning of strategic policy ; buildingunceasingly strong provincial and municipal defence zonesthat are the true foundation for the all -people nationaldefence posture; further promoting propaganda work; andmaking the VPA revolutionary, regular, seasoned, andgradually modernized, and politically, ideologically andorganizationally strong in order to meet the demands ofsafeguarding the Homeland under new conditions.Adjusting the VPA’s structure to conform to peacetimeconditions and raising its readiness to meet the requirementsof modern warfare is imperative and of strategic importanceto the socio-economic development, construction of thenation, and defence of the Homeland.

On the basis of a thorough grasp of the Party andState’s guidelines of independence, self-reliance, peace,cooperation and development in external affairs, and theforeign policy of openness, multilateralization anddiversification in international relations, the VPA shouldenhance its defence diplomatic activities; expand andconsolidate ties and cooperation with all count ries (first andforemost with neighbouring and regional ones, and othermajor partners etc), and conduct deepened, effective, stable,

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sustainable, mutually-confident international relations thatcontribute to the successful implementation of the Party andState’s foreign policy, and meet the needs of building theVPA under new conditions.

To this end, the Ministry of National Defence of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam has published the ThirdWhite Paper on Vietnam National Defence. This documentdefines basic viewpoints on Vietnam’s national defencepolicy, the mechanism of leadership and management ofnational defence, the structure of the Ministry of NationalDefence, and the organization and guideline for building acomprehensively strong VPA as well as the Militia andSelf-Defence Force. This White Paper also touches upondefence cooperation policy, and expresses the desire of theVietnamese people and the VPA for advancing mutualunderstanding and trust with other peoples and armed forcesso as to further foster cooperation for the sake of peace,national independence and social progress.

General PHUNG QUANG THANHMinister of National Defence

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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Part One

SECURITY SITUATIONAND

NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY

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1. SECURITY SITUATION

1.1. The World and Regional Situation

The security situation of the world and the region in theearly 21st century has seen complicated changes. However,peace and cooperation for mutual development has been themainstream. Although a world war or a war in whichweapons of mass destruction (WMD) might be used isunlikely, local wars and armed conflicts among countries orwithin a nation originating from national, ethnic andreligious contradictions, terrorism, interference, subversion,separatism, disputes over territory, natural resources, andnational interests have been on the rise, deeply affectingpeace and security of all nations.

The world situation has changed rapidly andunpredictably. The re-allocation of military and economicpower worldwide has profoundly changed the world’spolitical environment with the emerging trend of multi-polarity. Several new powers and power centres haveemerged, playing a more important role in the world andregional affairs. The competition for influence amongpowers and power centres has risen fiercely.

Economic globalization has deepened, making countriesincreasingly interdependent, and compelling them to expandtheir cooperation to solve issues of common interests.However, due to differences in interests, competition incertain issues turns out to be fierce. The world’s economicrecession arising from financial crisis has serious ly impacted

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all countries. Energy security and food security have becomeincreasingly important issues to the whole world. Apart fromthese, other global non-traditional security issues have beenof major concern to all countries. Addressing the above-mentioned issues is the responsibility of the internationalcommunity because no single country or region can solvethem by itself.

The influence of defence-security issues oninternational relations has been on the rise. The newrevolution in military affairs has been greatly changing thedefence and military strategies of all countries. The militarypower competition around the world has led to the risk ofarms races, especially at sea and in space. Many majorpowers have adjusted their military strategies, increasedtheir defence budgets, speeded up the armed forcesmodernization, and developed advanced weapons andequipment, and military technologies. These developmentshave affected not only the relations among major powers butalso the national defence of all countries. The gap ofmilitary strength between major powers and the rest of theworld has widened. In some regions, the enhancement ofmilitary strength has made the situation more complicated.The mechanism of arms control and non -proliferation ofWMD has faced huge challenges.

The Asia-Pacific region, with its dynamic developingeconomies, has taken on an increasingly important positionin the world, attracting the interest and competition forinfluence among the major powers. The regional

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cooperation mechanisms in various fields have developed.However, this region also poses potential threats todefence-security. In many hotspots, tensions which maylead to armed conflicts and wars have remained unsettled.Disputes over territory and natural resources i n land and atsea have been on the rise. The Asia-Pacific region hasconfronted the increasingly serious impact of many non -traditional security challenges.

In spite of the basically stable security situation inSoutheast Asia, potential risks of conf licts still remain. Theglobal economic recession has heavily affec ted the regionaleconomy, worsening the domestic unstable situation insome countries. Territorial disputes over land and sea havebeen more complicated, in particular those relating tosovereignty and national interests in the East Sea have beenon the rise. Southeast Asia suffers heavily from frequentnatural disasters such as storms, floods , and tsunamis. Tosome extent, terrorism and piracy have been restrained; theystill pose potential menaces to the regional security situationand are a common concern of Southeast Asian countries andmany others. Climate change, natural disasters, epidemic s,and trans-national crimes have a great impact on the securityof regional countries.

ASEAN member-states have strengthened cooperationand integration in order to turn Southeast Asia into a regionof peace, stability, and development. The ASEAN Charterhas come into effect, opening a new era of regionalcooperation. This is an important legal f ramework

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promoting the successful building of the ASEANCommunity with three pillars, namely, Security-PoliticalCommunity, Economic Community and Socio -CulturalCommunity by the year 2015. The cooperative relationsbetween ASEAN and outside partners along the line ofpeace, stability and development have been strengthened.On the basic principles of “volunteering, consensus andnon-interference in each other’s internal affairs”, ASEANcontinues to take a leading role in the motivation anddevelopment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), andother regional security mechanisms. Regarding sovereigntydisputes in the East Sea, ASEAN countries have furthercommitted to complying with and implementing “TheDeclaration of Conducts of All Parties in the East Sea”(DOC) and striving to build the “Code of Conducts of AllParties in the East Sea” (COC) in order to reach a long -termsolution to this complex issue on the basis of the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea.

1.2. Vietnam

Over twenty years of realizing the policy ofrenovation, openness and int ernational economicintegration, Vietnam has recorded many achievements ofhistoric significance in politic s, economy, society,national defence, security , and diplomacy. The overallnational strength has been enhanced ; the socio-politicalsituation stabilized; national independence, sovereignty,unity, territorial integrity and defence -securitymaintained. The country has achieved significant results

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in improving the national security environment. Vietnamhas actively participated in the process of negotia ting andsigning international conventions and agreementsregarding national sovereignty o n land and at sea. For thefirst time in history, the land border of Vietnam has beenbasically demarcated, creating favourable conditions forVietnam and neighbouring countries to build the bordersof peace, friendship and cooperation for mutualdevelopment. This is the result of ceaseless efforts by theVietnamese Government and concerned parties in settlingthis important and sensitive issue. Vietnam has also beenactive in finding solutions to the maritime border issue.The maritime boundary between Vietnam and China inthe Gulf of Tonkin has been demarcated. Some issuesarising in the overlapping areas at sea between Vietnamand other countries have been settled or addressed.Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with mostcountries in the world. The friendship and cooperationbetween Vietnam and all countries have been increasinglystrengthened and developed.

However, like many other countries, Vietnam fac eswith diversified and complicated security challenges.Vietnam’s economy has been in danger of further laggingbehind due to insufficient resilience while coping with theserious impact of the global financial crisis and economicrecession. Though the national defence-security has beenmaintained, many factors, both internal and external, thatcause socio-political instability, have not yet been

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thoroughly eliminated. Democratic freedom, religiousfreedom, and human rights have been abused by hostileforces in order to undermine the great national solidarity,and to incite violence and separatism in some areas of thecountry. Concerning the disputes over sovereignty,sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the territories in theEast Sea, the complicated developments so far haveseriously affected many activities and the maritimeeconomic development of Vietnam . Non-traditionalsecurity issues such as illegal trafficking of weapons anddrugs; piracy, organized trans -national crimes, terrorism,illegal migration and immigration; environmentaldegradation, climate change, and epidemics continue toconcern Vietnam.

2. NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY

2.1. Fundamental Issues of the National DefencePolicy

Vietnam always regards the maintenance of peaceful andstable environment for socio-economic development,industrialization and modernization, building the socialism -oriented market economy as the top national interest, and theconsistent goal of its national defence policy. Vietnam hasfollowed a national defence policy of peace, and self-defenceexpressed in the guideline of not using force or threatening ofusing force in international relations; solved differences anddisputes with other countries by peaceful means. Vietnamadvocates the gradual modernization of the VPA and

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enhancement of the defence potential only to maintain itsmilitary power sufficient for self-defence capability. Vietnamopposes arms race. As a nation having experienced wars fornational independence and freedom, Vietnam thoroughlyrespects other countries’ independence, sovereignty, unity,territorial integrity and national interests on the basis offundamental principles of the United Nations Charter andinternational laws. At the same time, Vietnam demands that itsindependence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity andnational interests must be respected by other countries .Vietnam advocates against the military use of force first ininternational relations, but is ready to resolutely fight againstall aggressive acts.

Vietnam’s consistent policy is to solve both historicaland newly emerging disputes over territorial sovereignty inland and at sea through peaceful means on the basis ofinternational laws. As for disputed sovereignty rights at sea,though there is sufficient historical evidence and legalfoundation to prove Vietnam’s undeniable sovereignty overwater areas and islands in the East Sea, including theParacels and the Spratlys, it is always ready to negotiatewith all parties concerned to find peaceful solutions to thosedisputes in conformity with regulations of the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Whilecontinuously seeking for a long-term solution to the issue,Vietnam advocates that all parties must re strain themselves,strictly abide by DOC, and strive for building COC in orderto reach a long-term and fair solution to this complicated

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issue, turning the East Sea into a sea of peace, frie ndship,and development.

Vietnam builds its national defence power on thebasis of the overall strength of the whole nation, of thegreat solidarity of the masses, of the whole politicalsystem led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV),combining the strength of the nation with the strength ofthe time, the strength of military forces and the all -peopledefence posture with the strength of people’s securityforces and posture. Vietnam has established a policy toconcurrently develop both its socio-economic and defencecapabilities and closely coordinate defence-security anddiplomatic activities to support the cause ofindustrialization and modernization, and rapid andsustainable economic development. To protect Vietnam’sindependence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity andother national interests as the region and world situationfaces many changes, Vietnam builds its all -peoplenational defence upon the whole nation’s tradition ofpatriotism and fighting against foreign aggression;strengthening armed forces, inheriting and upholding thevalues of the Vietnamese military sciences over the time,and developing the Vietnamese military arts to meet thedemands of modern wars.

Proactively preventing and repulsing the dangers ofwars are among essential tasks of Vietnam’s nationaldefence in peacetime in order to realize the optimal nationaldefence strategy of protecting its sovereignty, unity,

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territorial integrity and other national interests withoutresorting to war fighting. Vietnam advocates implementingthe national defence strategy through a spectrum of political,economic, diplomatic, socio-cultural and military activitiesaimed at eradicating the causes of armed conflicts and wars.Thoroughly grasping the principle of active, comprehensivedefence and safeguarding the Homeland from apart,Vietnam’s national defence takes combined measures tomaintain internal stability while preventing the risks ofoutside intervention.

Vietnam’s national defence is always closely linked tothe CPV and the State’s guideline of independence, self -reliance, peace, cooperation and development in externalaffairs, and the foreign policy of openness,multilateralization and diversification in internationalrelations. Through its diplomatic activities, Vietnam hasconsolidated mutual understanding and trust with people sand governments of other countries, laying the firmfoundation for expanding cooperation, resolving differencesin order to prevent and repulse the dangers of armedconflicts, contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful andstable environment in the region and the world. Onimplementing the independent, and self-reliant nationaldefence policy, Vietnam builds national defence powermainly upon its own resources and people. Thus, Vietnamconsistently advocates neither joining any military alliancesnor giving any other countries permission to have militarybases or use its soil to carry out military activities against

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other countries. At the same time, Vietnam attaches greatimportance to developing defence ties with all othercountries on the basis of respect for each other’sindependence, sovereignty and mutual benefit. Vietnamhighly values defence cooperation with neighbouringcountries, and traditional friends while developing defencelinks with other countries sharing the goal of peace,independence and development. With the spirit of “ shelvingthe past, looking forward to the future ,” Vietnam is ready tocooperate with other countries to solve humanitarian issuesleft by history; and at the same time , Vietnam acclaimsinitiatives and activities for peace and cooperation of allcountries regardless of political regimes or their history ofrelations with Vietnam.

Vietnam resolutely condemns and opposes toterrorism in any forms and simultaneously protes ts againstany acts in the name of counter-terrorism to intervene intothe internal affairs of other countries. Apart from takingnecessary measures to prevent and respond to terrorism,Vietnam supports the international community ’sendeavours and expansion of cooperation to preventterrorist actions and support of terrorism in any forms.Vietnam insists that the counter -terrorist measures andinternational cooperation in the fight against terrorism mustbe carried out within the framework of the United Nat ions,and in compliance with the fundamental principles of theUnited Nations Charter and international laws. Vietnamhas signed 8 out of 12 conventions on counter -terrorism of

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the United Nations and is considering participating in theremaining conventions.

Vietnam approves the settlement of other flashpointswhich might break out into armed conflicts in the regionthrough dialogue, peaceful negotiation, and withoutresorting to force or the threat to use force.

2.2. Foreign Relations and Defence Cooperati on

As a country actively integrating into the internationalcommunity, Vietnam consistently realizes the foreignguideline of independence, self -reliance, cooperation anddevelopment with a foreign policy of openness,multilateralization and diversification along the principlethat Vietnam wishes to be a friend and credible partner of allnations in the international community.

Defence diplomacy is part of the State’s diplomacy.The goal of defence diplomacy is to establish and developdefence relations with all countries based on equality, andmutual respect that contribute to the cause of building thecountry, building the armed forces, consolidating nationaldefence and security, safeguarding the Homeland, andmaking contributions to the maintenance of regional andworld peace and security.

In an increasingly interdependent world, Vietnam’ssecurity is inseparable from the world’s security in generaland regional security in particular. Defence cooperation isone of the most important factors for maintaining peace and

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stability in the region and the world as well, and it is also animportant factor for achieving Vietnam’s defence goals.Therefore, Vietnam advocates expanding defence diplomac yand actively participating in defence and security cooperationin the regional and international community.

The VPA advocates effectively broadening andheightening bilateral defence relations while activelyparticipating in multilateral defence cooperat ion. Vietnamintensifies all forms of defence diplomacy such as exchangeof military delegations at all levels, defence consultancy anddialogue, participation in regional and international fora toreinforce the friendship, mutual understanding, confidencebuilding, and conflict prevention.

Vietnam wishes to widen bilateral defence relations withall countries. The priorities in Vietnam’s defence relationswith other countries are exchange of military delegations,information and experience sharing, cooperation in trainingand education, and solving humanitarian issues. Vietnam hasso far established official defence relations with 65 countries,including major powers in the world; and set up its defenceattaché offices in 31 countries. Forty-two countries haveopened their defence attaché offices in Vietnam.

Vietnam promotes its defence cooperation with otherASEAN member countries within the framework of buildingthe ASEAN Political-Security Community and in accordancewith its bilateral relations with each country along the line ofenhancing information and experience sharing, reinforcing

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cooperation in training and education, and co -ordinating tosolve security issues of common concern.

Vietnam attaches importance to expanding defencedialogues with relevant countries, enabling all parties tograsp each other’s viewpoints, creating the opportunity forsolving issues relating to the interests of all parties. Vietnamhas conducted frequent defence dialogues at various levelswith other ASEAN member countries, and the othercountries such as China, Russia, the United States, Japan,France, India and so on. Together with increasing exchangeof high-level military delegations, Vietnam also attachesimportance to exchange of young military officers,cooperation between research and educational institutions ofVietnam’s Ministry of National Defence with othercountries. Vietnam has welcomed 46 ship visits, including81 port calls, over 18,000 turns of naval officers and crewfrom other countries to Hai Phong, Da Nan g and Ho ChiMinh City. In 2008, for the first time, Vietnam sent nav alvessels abroad for friendly visit s.

Due to historical, geographical conditions and deepereconomic integration into the region and the world, many ofVietnam’s defence-security issues have become increasinglyintertwined with those of neighbouring countries. Hence,along with exchange of military delegations, cooperation intraining and education and so on with all countries, Vietnamprioritized cooperation with neighbouring countries to solvebilateral defence-security issues. Vietnam has completed theland-border demarcation work and landmark planting with

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China; conducted the border demarcation and landmarkplanting in some important border areas and reachedagreement on completing border demarcation and landmarkplanting with Cambodia by 2012; completed thedemarcation work and has increased the density of borderlandmarks with Laos. Vietnam intensified the co-ordinationin patrolling and controlling border areas betweenVietnam’s border guard forces and the border guard andsecurity forces of other countries to strictly implementinternational agreements on border, border guardcooperation agreements on combating crimes such as trans -border smuggling, illegal migration, women, childre n anddrugs trafficking, and so on for the sake of building a borderof peace and friendship. Vietnam has strived to solve themaritime boundary issues, and to expand cooperation withother countries to ensure maritime security. Vietnam’s Navyhas set up hotlines and conducted joint patrols with thenaval forces of Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and China inorder to improve the effectiveness of coordination inmaintaining security in overlapping zones and borderingareas at sea.

Establishing and maintaining the relations betweenVietnam’s General Department of Defence Intelligence andother countries' military intelligence agencies is animportant channel for sharing information on defence -security issues.

Vietnam highly values and actively participates inmultilateral cooperation on security issues through

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international and regional organizations and fora such asthe UN, ASEAN, ARF, and Asia -Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC).

As a UN official member since 1977, Vietnam hasstrictly accomplished its duties and at the same time,actively and responsibly participated in solving internationalsecurity issues. During its term as a non-permanent memberof the United Nations Security Council (2008 -2009),Vietnam has consulted opinions from non -aligned countries,closely coordinated with other member states of the SecurityCouncil in the process of making decisions on internationalsecurity issues in conformity with the principles of theUnited Nations Charter.

Vietnam greatly appreciates the role of the UN andregards the peace-keeping operations (PKO) as an importantfunction of the UN. To better fulfil this function, UN PKOmust abide by the principle of respecting independence,sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non -interference in theinternal affairs of other countries; ensure impartiality; andonly be carried out with the acceptance of parties concerned.Vietnam is accomplishing its preparations for effectivelyparticipating in UN PKO, in conformity with its capabilityand conditions. Vietnam’s relevant age ncies are activelystudying experience of other countries , and preparing itspersonnel with sufficient professional skills, foreignlanguage proficiency and knowledge of international laws toparticipate effectively in UN PKO.

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Prompted by the policy of proactively supporting andcontributing to the common efforts of the internationalcommunity for peace, security and disarmam ent, Vietnamactively participates in international efforts to prevent andrepulse dangers of wars as well as to overcome theconsequences caused by armed conflicts and wars. Vietnamand other Southeast Asian countries have signed the Treatyon the South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone(SEANWFZ). Vietnam calls upon nuclear powers toparticipate in the Protocol of the Treaty in order to turnSoutheast Asia into a permanent nuclear weapons free zone.In accordance with the consistent policy of supporting andactively contributing to the common efforts of theinternational community for disarmament, Vietnamwelcomes the initiatives on preventing the development,manufacturing, storage and use of WMD. At the same time,Vietnam holds that all countries have the right to research,develop, and transfer nuclear, chemical, and biologicaltechnologies for the sake of peace as regulated byinternational laws. Vietnam has taken part in and strictlyobserved many conventions, agreements, and protocols onnon-proliferation of WMD and other internationalconventions on disarmament. Vietnam is seriouslyconsidering international conventions and treati es ondefence-security issues, and actively preparing necessaryconditions for fully implementing the duties required.

Vietnam is willing to cooperate with the countries inthe region and the world in an effort to solve non-traditional

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security issues. To improve the effectiveness of cooperationin this field, Vietnam advocates expanding and enhancingcooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally , such assharing information and experience; setting up acoordination mechanism with the relevant organizations ofother countries to prevent, cope with and settle the relatednon-traditional security issues. Vietnam’s functionalagencies are preparing capabilities of personnel andtechnical equipment in order to participate in multilateralsearch and rescue exercises in the East Sea, first andforemost with neighbouring and regional countries.

Vietnam considers as important the strengthening ofdefence cooperation with ASEAN countries on the basis ofdefence-security cooperation mechanisms in the process ofbuilding the ASEAN Community. These mechanisms areestablished on the basis of the principles of “consensus”,“non-interference in each other’s internal affairs”, “notchanging the ASEAN Community into a military alliance ormutual defence bloc,” and other fundamental principles ofthe ASEAN Charter. Vietnam greatly appreciates andactively participates in ASEAN Defence Minister Meetings(ADMM) and other senior defence officials meetings, andsupports initiatives that enhance cooperation amongASEAN militaries to settle common security issues. In thisspirit, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence hasproactively taken part in multilateral defence cooperationmechanisms with ASEAN countries by participating inASEAN defence meetings at all levels, exchanging

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experience in defence building, fighting against trans -national crimes and terrorism, participating in suchhumanitarian operations as natural disaster relief andprevention, and sending observers to military exercises ofregional countries. In 2010, as an ASEAN Chairman,Vietnam will closely coordinate with the other memberstates to successfully organize meetings and activities inorder to enhance the defence cooperation relations amongASEAN countries. Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defencealso supports and plays an active role in efforts ofexpanding defence-security cooperation relations with non -ASEAN partners with a view to maintaining peace andstability in the region and the world.

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Part Two

BUILDING THE NATIONAL DEFENCE

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Vietnam’s national defence is the all -people nationaldefence which comprises the full spectrum of the State andpeople’s political, economic, diplomatic, military, culturaland scientific activities that contribute to the build -up of asynchronized, balanced and comprehensive power of thenation of which the military power is of the essence and thearmed forces being the key element in order to maintainthe country’s peace and stability, prev ent acts of sabotageand war provocation, repulse threats of war, and at thesame time, be ready to defeat any aggressive acts in allforms and scales.

The all-people national defence is the concretization ofVietnam’s national defence policy manifested inorganizational and operational structures of all branches,levels, and of the whole people under a unified strategicguidance, to create the real power for safeguarding theHomeland. The all-people national defence is aimed atfirmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity,territorial integrity and national security in all aspects;protecting the regime, revolutionary fruits and the cause ofrenovation; and at the same time, preventing and repulsingplots to cause violence, armed conflicts and aggress ivewars, and firmly preserving a peaceful and stableenvironment for the cause of industrialization andmodernization. The goal of building the all -people nationaldefence in a new era is to ceaselessly enhance the nationaldefence power, prevent and read ily defeat all types ofaggressive wars under any circumstances. The all -people

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national defence is built in the direction of all-peopleparticipation, comprehensiveness, self -mastery, self-reliance and gradual modernization .

Building the powerful all-people national defenceincludes the building of national defence potential, defenceforces, defence posture, and the mechanism of defenceleadership and management.

1. BUILDING THE NATIONAL DEFENCEPOTENTIAL

The national defence potential comprises politico-spiritual, economic, scientific and technological , andmilitary potential.

1.1. Building Politico-Spiritual Potential

Politico-spiritual potential is the fundamentalcomponent of the national defence potential, inherent inhuman qualities, in national historical-cultural traditions,and in the political system. This is the potentiality of politicsand spirit that could be transformed into physical power forimplementing national defence tasks. This potentialmanifests itself in the people and armed forces’ awareness,will, belief, psychology and emotion toward the nationaldefence duties.

The current politico-spiritual potential of Vietnam’snational defence is the result of a long building processunder the leadership of the CPV and President Ho ChiMinh, and is the continuance of the thousands-year-long-

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history tradition of the Vietnamese people in founding anddefending the nation.

First and foremost, building the politico-spiritualpotential means building the confidence of all strata ofpeople in the virtue of the regime and in the success ofnational construction and defence. Hence, building a pureand sound Party, a law-governed State of the people, by thepeople and for the people, and continuously enhancing thepeople’s material and spiritual life are decisive factors in thebuilding of the politico-spiritual potential. Building thepolitico-spiritual potential requires morale education to raisethe national defence awareness of all people, especially theyoung generation and students, and to foster knowledge ondefence-security matters for key cadres of all branches andat all levels. Vietnam has built a system of defenceeducational materials for people from all walks of life. Thepolitico-spiritual potential is built during the process ofconsolidating the people’s great solidarity and strictlyimplementing the State of Vietnam’s policy of religiousfreedom, and racial equality. The State of Vietnamconsistently pursues a policy of respecting and ensuring therights of religious freedom, to follow or not to follow anyreligion, and to legal religious practices. The State str ictlyprohibits making uses of race, faith and religious issues toviolate the laws and regulations of the State, to incite andsow division among the people, particularly among ethnicgroups in order to cause social disorder to the detriment ofnational security. As a country with 54 fraternal ethnic

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groups, the State of Vietnam implements a policy of ethnicequality. The ethnic groups of Vietnam enjoy equal rights toimprove their material and spiritual life, which enhancestheir education, preserves, enriches and brings into full playtheir cultural identity and fine traditions. State policyprioritizes socio-economic development in remote andmountainous areas, border, coastal and island regions aswell as hunger elimination and poverty alleviation thatgradually narrows and clears the development gap amongregions. The politico-spiritual potential is also built throughpracticing broad democracy with the principle that “peopleknow, people discuss, people implement and people check ,”radically fighting against corruption and building anequitable, democratic, and civilized society.

1.2. Building Economic Potential

Economic potential is the potential ity in the economicfield (including the defence-economic sector), that could bemobilized for socio-economic development, strengtheningnational defence or conduct ing a defensive war. Theeconomic potential is also a material foundation for otherpotential manifested in the quantity, productivity, qualityand efficiency of the social production, the growth pace ofthe economy, the resource reserve and the quality andqualification of the workforce. In the national defenceaspect, economic potential is manifested in such majorfields as the human, material, and financial resources of theeconomy that could possibly be mobilized to deal withsituations both in peacetime and wartime. The economic

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potential is also expressed in the mobility and viability ofthe economy and also the capacity to ensure economicsecurity in the process of international economic integrationand the severe challenges of wars.

Building the economic potential of the all -peoplenational defence is carried out through the closecombination between socio-economic development anddefence-security enhancement, between socio -economicdevelopment and building the provincial and municipaldefence zones under the defined long-term programmingand plans, and through the building of economic -defenceand defence-economic zones in major strategic areas.

Over the past years, Vietnam’s economy hascontinuously achieved a high growth rate. The GrossDomestic Product has increased considerably , theeconomic structure has continuously shifted towardsindustrialization and modernization , and the infrastructurehas developed. Vietnam has proactively and grad uallyintegrated in the regional and world economies and hasbecome an official member of the World TradeOrganization (WTO). The material and spiritual life ofpeople from all strata of society and the armed forces hasbeen improved; while the intellectual standards of thepeople, the quality of human resources , and the dynamismof all socio-economic sectors have been raisedsignificantly. Vietnam striv es for the goal of becoming amodernized industrial country by 2020.

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Thanks to the economic development of the past years,the building of economic potential for the all -peoplenational defence has gained important results. Vietnam has alogistic reserve sufficient to deal with all contingences . Theincreasingly perfect and modern infrastructure system hascreated more favourable conditions for defence activities.Though the economy still faces difficulties in the process ofdevelopment and impacts of the global economic recession,the State of Vietnam has allocated a necessary portion of theState budget for defence requirements in general and for theacquisition of equipment and weapons for the armed forcesin particular.

The Defence Budget of Vietnam

(Billion VND)

2005 2006 2007 2008

GDP 839,211 973,791 1,143,442 1,490,000

Defence budget 16,278 20,577 28,922 27,024

Share in GDP 1.872% 2.194% 2.529% 1.813%

The major portion of the above-mentioned budgets wasspent on ensuring decent living conditions for militaryofficers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and defenceemployees, supporting the operations of defence industry,and maintaining the VPA readiness.

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Building the economic potential for national defencealso requires proper investment in defence industry . Thedefence industry must be an integral part of the nationalindustry and under the management of the Ministry ofNational Defence. The renovation efforts to improvedefence industry capabilities are made in the direction ofdual-use, ensuring the maintenance, manufacture,improvement and upgrading of weapons and equipmentrequired by new assignments for the development of thepeople’s armed forces in st rategic regions and focusing onlocal defence capabilities.

1.3. Building Scientific and Technological Potential

The scientific and technological potential is thepotentiality in science and technology (including naturalsciences, social sciences and humanities, technical sciencesand technologies) that could be mobilized to accomplish thesociety’s immediate and long -term duties as well as to dealwith national defence situations. The scientific andtechnological potential is a factor that plays an ever moreimportant role in the national defence potential. It ismanifested in the ability and the level of technological andscientific development, in the quantity and quality of thecontingent of scientific and technological workers, in thematerial facilities for research and development,dissemination and application of scientific and technologicalachievements in national defence. The scientific andtechnological potential has a direct impact on the

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development of science and technology in the military anddefence, the organizational structure of the armed forces,and the command and management of the armed forces.

Building the scientific and technological potential ofthe all-people’s national defence is closely linked with thedevelopment of science and technology of the country. TheState of Vietnam regards the investment in developingscience and technology as the founda tion and driving forcefor socio-economic development. This is an important baseto speed up industrialization and modernization, a soundfoundation for the scientific and technological potential ofthe all-people national defence. The State of Vietnam pay sspecial attention to investment in material and technicalfacilities that meet the requirements of scientific -technological research and development, and at the sametime follows a policy of preference and priority toscientific and technological workers . The State also definesmeasures that tie science and technology to production,business, protection of property rights, gradualestablishment of technological market, and expansion ofinternational cooperation to absorb advanced technologiessuitable for Vietnam’s conditions. Despite difficulties, thescientific and technological potential of the country isbeing intensified step by step, thus contributing moreeffectively to economic development and consolidati on ofnational defence-security.

Over the past years, special attention has been paid todevelop Vietnam’s military science, technique and arts, to

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focus on finding technical and tactical solutions foreffectively dealing with high-tech wars. Vietnam attachesimportance to continuing and bringing in to full play the artsof people’s war at strategic, operational and tactical levels,meeting the requirements of modern wars to m ake the mostof weaponry and manpower against aggressive wars.Vietnam develops the military science and technology tomeet the immediate requirements of equipment andweapons for the people’s armed forces while graduallyconducting research and development of technologicalsolutions, new weapons and equipment that may be neededin future wars. The State of Vietnam is improving th emechanism to absorb and utilize talents, and mobilizes allinternal and external scientific potentialities for building theall-people’s national defence.

1.4. Building Military Potential

Military potential is the material and spiritualpotentiality that could be mobilized to create realcapabilities which connect to the military and defence dutiesin both peacetime and wartime. Military potential is the coreelement of the national defence potentia l which is built onthe basis of politico-spiritual, economic and scientific andtechnological potentialities. The military potential is shownnot only in the capacity to maintain, improve andunceasingly develop the combat power and readiness of t hearmed forces but also in manpower and material reserves toserve military tasks.

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The State of Vietnam builds the military potentialalong an integrated strategic plan, in accordance with therequirements of defending the country. The combatcompetence and readiness of the armed forces seen in itsorganizations, personnel, equipment, logistic facilities,military arts and science and technique, are usually takeninto account, maintained, improved and continuouslydeveloped to meet the requirements of the people’s war todefend the country.

The military potential consists of two basic elements,manpower and weaponry of which manpower is thedeterminant. Vietnam owns the strong military potentialpartly due to its young and abundant human resources. TheState of Vietnam takes interest in building the contingent ofthe military officers required for fulfilling the tasks in newconditions. The Law on the VPA Officers adopted in theThird Session of the 12 th National Assembly defines thecommon criteria for VPA officers , that is, absolute loyaltyto the Fatherland, the people and the State of the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam; dignity; industriousness, thrift,integrity, uprightness, public -spiritedness, selflessness;democratic heightening, strict obedience of militarydisciplines and orders; respect for and solidarity with thepeople and comrades in arms; qualifications of politics andmilitary science required by the assigned duties. The Law isalso amended to extend the service age of officers in orderto save the expenses for training manpower, utilizing andbringing into full play the expertise and experience of the

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officers, especially the professional ones and highlyqualified scientists, meanwhile, preserving the specificfeature of the military workforce. The Law also adjusts thepolicy toward officers, identifying the People’s Army as “aspecial labour sector” assigned to duties of defending thecountry. The amended Law on Military Service adopted inthe 7th Session of the 11 th National Assembly reduces theservice duration from 24 months to 18 months. Thisregulation results in the possible increase in the number ofthe youth to join the army. Those ex -servicemen willconstitute a powerful reserve force, always ready tosupplement the regular force when needed.

Military potential is also shown in the capacity tomobilize various branches, science and technology,transportation and other public service sectors to meet thenational defence requirements. Building the militarypotential is closely tied to the industri alization andmodernization of the country. Achievements ineconomics, science, technology, culture and ideology arethe foundation to build the armed forces, develop themilitary science and arts, and military social sciences andhumanities. The State of Vietnam advocates that thebuilding of the military potential be linked to the buildingof the politico-spiritual, economic, scientific andtechnological ones, regarding this as an essential demandin building the potential of the all -people national defenceto ensure mobilization capability and create the power tofirmly defend the country.

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2. BUILDING DEFENCE FORCES

The National Defence of Vietnam is based on thecomprehensive power of resources; therefore, t he defenceforces comprise the all-people forces of which the people’sarmed forces are the core.

Building the defence forces is first and foremost thebuilding and consolidation of the political system includingthe Party, the State, the Vietnamese Fatherland Front andpublic mass organizations, with priority given to the task ofbuilding and increasing the leading role of the Party, andefficiency in management and implementation ofgovernment apparatus at all levels. The political system isthe nucleus of the defence forces, playing the decisive rolein the mobilization and enhancement of the nation’s defencemight. In the political system, the build ing, consolidationand enhancement of operational effectiveness of massorganizations are of great significance in bringing togetherand mobilizing the popular mass to carry out nationaldefence tasks, to directly protect their own localities andoffices, thus making contribution to the maintenance ofpolitical stability, public order and safety.

The building of defence forces must beinstitutionalized by a system of laws and statutor ydocuments on national defence in order to mobilize allsectors of the economy to participate in the construction andconsolidation of the all-people national defence, and tosafeguard the Homeland.

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The task of building comprehensively powerfulpeople’s armed forces is crucial to the building of thedefence forces. The VPA and the People’s Public Securityare made revolutionary, regular, seasoned, and graduallymodern to truly play the key role in the defence forces. TheMilitia and Self-Defence Force is organized in conformitywith the sectors of economy, broadly and focally at the sametime, to meet the requirements of their tasks both inpeacetime and in wartime.

3. BUILDING NATIONAL DEFENCE POSTURE

The posture of the all-people national defence is theorganization and disposition of the national defence forcesand potentialities throughout the territory in conformity wi than integrated strategic intent to ensure victory over anyhostile plots and acts that violate the independence,sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests ofVietnam, and to be ready to pivot toward the posture ofpeople’s war once war occurs.

The posture of the all-people national defence is builtin connection with the national and local master plans alongthe guideline of close combination between economy andnational defence and vice versa, and the establishment ofstrategic zones that are firm in politics, rich in economics,and strong in national defence and security. Along with thesocio-economic construction and development, buildinginfrastructure and allocating economic and technicalfacilities are closely linked to the all-people national

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defence posture. Thus, building the all -people nationaldefence posture must be taken into account in designing andplanning the socio-economic development. The all -peoplenational defence posture is built to ensure a firm an dinterconnected layout, combining the on-spot posture withthe mobile one, the overall posture with the concentratedone, with special attention given to key directions, regionsand targets, and strategic localities. The State makes policyfor the re-distribution of labour force, establishingeconomic-defence and defence-economic zones in remote,mountainous areas, border, maritime and island z ones toensure the close coordination of the socio-economicdevelopment with the enhancement of the defence forces,potentialities and posture in vital areas.

On the basis of the adjustment of the strategicdisposition of the economy nationwide, the State increasesits investment in building provinces and cities into sounddefence zones, ensuring their ability to deal with localcontingencies in peacetime by themselves. In wartime,they are capable of taking initiative in fighting enemiesfrom the very beginning, wearing them out, driving themto become passive and bogged down, thus creatingopportunities for, and closely coordinating with theregular corps to annihilate the enemy. Special attention ispaid to laying grassroots foundations at hamlets,mountainous villages, communes, wards, border andisland zones, and vital local areas to ensure stability andstrength in all aspects.

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In conjunction with building defence zones, the layoutof the armed forces is adjusted in each strategic directionand all over the country, forming a steadfast and highlyagile posture, ready to respond to any circumstances. Theregular and local forces are rat ionally positioned and closelycombined with the building of a defence system to create aninterconnected, solid military posture in key regions and toensure the armed forces’ combat capability in land, air, seaand island environments.

Strategic rear areas, strategic rear bases, and logisticbases of each zone and direction are established to guaranteethe people’s activities and the armed forces’ operations incase of high-tech wars with appropriate attention given toself-support and self-reliance. The national defence posture isexecuted through the implementation of strategic plans, suchas those for shifting the country from peacetime to wartime,securing the national defence and political security, forprotecting air space and national border.

The all-people national defence posture is close lylinked to the building of the people’s security posture toform a firm interconnected layout, bringing into full play thestrength of various forces, combining different types ofmilitary and non-military activities, creating agility andflexibility, and the capacity for independent and combinedcombat operations. This is an important part of building thenational defence posture, shown in how the defence zonesare structured. Based on the features of each defenc e zone,the disposition and deployment of forces are contemplated

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to ensure the highest efficiency in performing defence andsecurity tasks in localities, creating a close combinationbetween defence and security in each strategic zone and allover the country.

4. THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OFNATIONAL DEFENCE

4.1. The Leadership Role of the CPV over the VPAand the National Defence

The CPV puts forth the guideline and makes decisionson the issues relating to the Homeland defence strategy.Through Party organizations, it maintains the leadership ofthe entire political system in defence activities.

The CPV exercises the absolute, direct and all -roundleadership over the VPA in order to make the VPA strongpolitically, ideologically and organizationally. The Party’sleadership over the VPA is achieved through the system ofParty organizations, the chain of command, the system ofpolitical organizations, political cadres at all levels, andpublic mass organizations at grassroots level.

The system of Party organizations in the VPAcomprises the Central Military Party Committee (CMPC inshort) and Military Party Organizations at all levels. TheGeneral Secretary of the CPV Central Committee is theChairman of the CMPC. The CMPC also includes ViceChairman and members appointed by the Politburo,including some members of the CPV Central Committee

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within the army and some others outside the army. Partyexecutive committees from those at the level directlyreporting to CMPC to the grassroots level are elected by theircorresponding party congresses.

CMPC proposes to the CPV Central Committee theissues of military and national defence guidelines andmissions, the national defence plan, directions and measuresof building the all-people national defence, Party’s leadershipmechanisms over the VPA. It is CMPC’s responsibility tocoordinate and instruct its immediate subordinate executivecommittees in the implementation of the Party’s resolutionsand directives concerning the military and national defence.CMPC exercises direct leadership in the building of thecomprehensively powerful VPA, and the building of pureand sound Party organizations in the army. By improving thequality and efficiency of Party and political work, the CMPCensures firm and increased Party’s leadership over the army.The CMPC performs the collective decision -making onmajor issues such as policies, programmes, plans of actionfor the implementation of the Party’s directives andresolutions, measures for building the VPA, and decisions onthe VPA personnel issues. The CMPC directs the GeneralPolitical Department and through the General PoliticalDepartment, it directs Party organizations and the system ofcommissars and political organizations at all levels inconducting the Party and political work in order to make theVPA strong politically, ideologically and organizationally toaccomplish all of its missions.

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The system of political organizations in the VPAcomprises the General Political Department and politicalorganizations in the units of all levels. The General PoliticalDepartment directs the Party and political work within theVPA, operating under the leadership of the Politburo and theCPV Central Secretariat, particularly under the direct andconstant leadership of the CMPC. Based on the resolutions,and the directives of the Party Congresses, Party CentralCommittee, Politburo, Party Secretariat and the resolutions ofthe CMPC; and the orders of the Minister of NationalDefence, the General Political Department proposes to theCMPC the guidelines, measures and action plans for theParty and political work in the army; directs, instructs andinspects the performance of that work at all levels. The VPApolitical organizations carry out the cultivation of andeducation on the CPV guidelines, advocacies and policies,the State laws; direct and instruct the building of pure andsound Party organizations and cells; instruct military units tocarry out anti-psychological warfare measures; coordinatewith local Party executive committees, authorities and publicmass organizations in disseminating and mobilizing people tofulfil their duties of defending the Homeland.

The commissars and junior commissars preside overpolitical work at all levels. Units at the levels from companyto battalion have junior commissars. From the level ofregiment to military region and the equivalent there arecommissars. The commissars and junior commissars areresponsible to their superiors and the Party executive

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committees for the entire Party and political work withintheir units, for directly guiding, instructing, inspecting,organizing and executing the Party and political work asregulated; while concurrently taking part in designing andorganizing the performance of the unit’s plans.

4.2. State Management of National Defence

The State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam carriesout the national defence management as defined by itsConstitution and laws. The basic contents of the State’snational defence management consist of promulgating asystem of statutory documents on national defence, signinginternational conventions and agreements on defencecooperation, building master and specific plans for nationaldefence mobilization, and organizing and guiding theimplementation of national defence tasks and necessarymeasures to defend the Homeland.

The National Assembly is the supreme organ of Stateauthority of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the sole bodywith the right to promulgate laws concerning fundamentaldomestic and foreign policies, the country’s socio -economic,national defence and security tasks, decisions on the buildingand organization of the armed forces and matters of war andpeace, and to define the state of emergency and other specialmeasures so as to ensure the national defence -security. TheNational Assembly exercises supreme supervision over theState’s national defence activities. Since 2005 the NationalAssembly has passed a number of laws concerning the

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national defence, such as the Law on Amendments andSupplements to several articles of the Law on the VPAOfficers, the Law on National Defence, the Law onAmendments and Supplements to several articles of the Lawon Military Service, the Law on National Security, the Law onthe People’s Public Security, and the Law on National Border.The Standing Committee of the National Assembly hasenacted a series of national defence decrees, for example, theDecree on the Maritime Police, the Decree on the Militia andSelf-Defence Force, the Decree on the Intelligence, the Decreeon the Border Guard, the Decree on National DefenceMobilization and the Decree on Defence Industry.

The State President is the Chairman of the Council ofNational Defence and Security, the Commander -in-Chief ofthe people’s armed forces. The President dec lares the stateof war, orders limited or general mobilizations, declares thestate of emergency locally or nationally, proclaims andissues other laws and decrees on national defence, andpromotes officers of the people’s armed forces to the ranksof Senior Lieutenant General and General.

The Government is the supreme executive organ of theState of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The Governmentpromulgates decrees and resolutions to specify theimplementation of national defence laws and ordinances. Italso makes policies on the consolidation of national defenceand building of the VPA, maps out the master and specificplans for defence mobilization, organizes and directs theimplementation of national defence tasks and necessary

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measures to safeguard the Homeland. As delegated,ministries and branches undertake the national defenceeducation and international cooperation in certain aspectsrelated to national defence, ensure the material life for thearmed forces, implement welfare policies for the rear, andinspect the fulfilment of national defence tasks, etc. Since2004, the Government and the Prime Minister have issued anumber of documents regarding national defence. TheGovernment has institutionalized the responsibilities ofbranches, levels and strata of people in build ing provincesand cities into defence zones firm in politics, wealthy ineconomics, strong in national defence and security, whichare the sound foundations for the all -people nationaldefence. The Prime Minister decides the promotion ofofficers of the armed forces to the ranks of Major Generaland Lieutenant General.

The Ministry of National Defence is the advisory organfor the Party and State to consult on matters of nationaldefence and military guidelines and duties in safeguardingthe Homeland, exercises the State management function onnational defence nationwide, organize s the work of building,managing and commanding of the VPA, the Militia andSelf-Defence Force, and administers public services asstipulated by law. The Minister of National Defence, whodirects the execution of the State management functions onnational defence and military affairs as defined by law andconcurrently takes on responsibilities for the organization,building and management of the armed forces, and is the

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highest commander of the VPA and the Militia and Self-Defence Force. The Ministry of National Defence iscomposed of the General Staff, the General PoliticalDepartment, other general departments and theirsubordinates. The Ministry of National Defence decides thecommission and promotion of officers to the ranks of fieldand company officers of the VPA.

The General Staff commands and operates the VPAand the Militia and Self-Defence Force, and exercises theState management function on national defen ce. TheGeneral Staff organizes and directs the development of thearmy and the Militia and Self-Defence Force while alsocommanding military operations. The General Staffcomprises the General Chief of Staff, the vice chiefs, thefunctional departments of operations, milit ary training,manpower, militia and self -defence, and educationalinstitutions. The General Chief of Staff, concurrently theDeputy Minister of National Defence, takes the role of theMinister of National Defence in the latter’s absence. TheGeneral Chief of Staff directs offices and units directlyunder the General Staff to formulate the defence strategy,the master and specific plans for defending the country;presides over coordinating, instructing, inspecting andmotivating other ministries, ministerial -level agencies, andthe people’s committees at all levels to implement legalregulations on national defence; and inspects and urgesVPA units to abide by the State laws and the orders of theMinister of National Defence.

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The General Political Department is the organ thatdirects and carries out the Party and political work in thearmy. It has the General Director and Vice General Directors,functional departments responsible for the personnel work,political propaganda and ideological education, Partyorganizations, public relations and army security. It is incharge of administrative management over the system ofmilitary tribunals and military procurations at all levels.

The functional organizations at the general departmentlevel of the Ministry of National Defence include the GeneralDepartment of Technology, the General Department ofLogistics, the General Department of Defence Industry andthe General Department of Defence Intelligence. Eachgeneral department has the general director and vice generaldirectors (the General Department of Defence Intelligencehas the commander and vice commanders), the commissarand deputy commissar, the staff office, the politicaldepartment, and other departments and subordinate units withspecific responsibilities and duties.

The General Department of Logistics is the leadingorgan for logistics in the VPA, and functioned as anadvisory agency on relevant matters concerned. At the sametime it directs and organizes such logistical activities asmaterial supplies, daily necessity support, medical care , andtransportation for the army. Its current organization includesthe Office of the General Department of Logistics, the StaffOffice, Political Department, Department of Logistics,specialized departments in charge of m ilitary ordnance,

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military medicine, stationing facilities, fuel, transportationand other subordinate agencies, bases, and units.

The General Department of Technology is the leadingorgan for technology in the VPA, functioning as a staffagency on the matters concerned and ensures thetechnological and technical support for the VPA. It hasfunctional departments in charge of technological andtechnical support for military regions, army corps, servicesand arms. It also has agencies, units, specialized edu cationalinstitutions, maintenance depots and enterprises, and othersubordinate units.

The General Department of Defence Industry is in chargeof manufacturing military weapons and equipment for thearmy and the Militia and Self-Defence Force. It has functionaldepartments, weapon and military equipment manufacturingfactories, vocational schools, and subordinate units.

The General Department of Defence Intelligence is aspecialized strategic intelligence body for the Party andState of Vietnam, the specialized military intelligence organfor CMPC and the Ministry of National Defence. TheGeneral Department of Defence Intelligence directly carriesout intelligence activities at the strategic level. At the sametime, it is the advisory organ for the Minister of NationalDefence and the General Chief of Staff to consult on theforce organization and intelligence operations. It is the leaddepartment directly responsible for instructing and guidingthe army’s military intelligence and reconnaissance networkin terms of professional intelligence.

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The Maritime Police Department under the Ministry ofNational Defence is the State’s specialized force with theresponsibility of controlling security, order, safety, and lawenforcement as stipulated by the State of Vietnam and therelevant international conventions and agreements signed orparticipated in by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in itswaters and continental shelf. Vietnam has four MaritimePolice zones. The Maritime Police force is equipped withvessels capable of enforcing the laws related to sovereignty,sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in Vietnam’s waters. Allactivities of the Vietnam Maritime Police are directlyorganized, managed and operated by the Ministry ofNational Defence.

The Department of Rescue and Relief, under theMinistry of National Defence, functions as the standing bodyof the National Committee for Search and Rescue, and isresponsible for coordinating both military and non -militaryforces in search and rescue operations, and disaste r relief.

The Foreign Relations Department, under the Ministryof National Defence, is the State management organ on theVPA’s defence external relations, functioning as theadvisory organ for the CMPC and the Minister of NationalDefence to consult on the guidelines, directions andmeasures to military external relations, instructing andmanaging defence external relations activities, and planningand organizing those activities in assigned domains. TheDepartment of External Affairs represents the Ministry ofNational Defence in relations with foreign defence attachés,

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diplomatic representatives, international and regionalorganizations in Vietnam.

The Office of the Ministry of National Defenceconcurrently the CMPC Office and other organizations playthe role of a consultative organ and provide assistance to theMinistry of National Defence.

4.3. Directions to Enhance the Leadership andManagement in National Defence

Enhancing the Party’s leadership in national defence isaimed at meeting the requirements of defending theHomeland under new conditions. The Party’s organizationalstructure in national defence leadership is built in a unifiedand synchronous way from the centre to locality, notably atmilitary region and grassroots levels. The contents of theParty leadership work in national defence are continuouslysupplemented. The operational mechanism and thecoordination responsibilities of each level, branch , localityin activities relevant to national defence, especially indealing with complicated situations are becoming moreclearly defined and perfected.

Administrative reform, aimed at making the work ofthe state apparatus in national defence increasingly effectiveis of exceptional significance. The goal of the administrativereform is to make the system of administration and stateadministrative management smooth, sufficientlyauthoritative, competent and efficient, with three mainpoints: the institutional reform of administrative affairs, the

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rectification of the apparatus, and the formation of cadresand employee contingents.

The organizational structure of the State managementin national defence from the centre to localities continuesto be adjusted on the basis of clearly identifying theoperational mechanism, functions and tasks of agenciesand cadres charged with national defence work inministries and branches. The national defence duties ofagencies, departments and branches at all levels areinstitutionalized by law so as to make the best of the Statemanagement power in national defence. The delegation ofthe State management authority in national defencebetween the governmental agencies and authorities ofcentrally-governed provinces and citi es is being furtherstudied in order to set in details.

One of the major policies and solutions to theadministrative reform in national defence is to ensure thedemocratization of the society’s political life, the realizationof the people’s mastery in safeguarding the Homeland andin fulfilling their duties and rights in national defence.Administrative procedures concerning the Statemanagement in national defence are being continuallyreformed along with building the contingent of pure andcompetent cadres responsible for national defence work.

The cadres of functional agencies should continuallybe guided and fostered to bring into full play their roles asconsultant in organizing the building and management of

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national defence work. The statute of rel ations,coordination, and combination among agencies andbranches at all levels in carrying out defence-relatedactivities should be streamlined in order to enhance theoverall strength of all forces. The system of statutorydocuments and the system of pol icies in building the all-people national defence should be studied, supplemented,and amended to match the requirements of new situations sothat every citizen would be able to fulfil their obligation andrights to the national defence tasks.

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Part Three

BUILDING THE PEOPLE ’S ARMY

AND

THE MILITIA AND SELF-DEFENCE FORCE

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1. ORGANIZATION OF THE VPA AND THEMILITIA AND SELF-DEFENCE FORCE

The People’s Army and the Militia and Self-DefenceForce are the main components of Vietnam people’s armedforces, playing the key role in all-people national defence,charged with the task of combat readiness and combat todefend the Homeland, and at the same time, makingcontribution to the cause of industrialization andmodernization of the country.

1.1. Vietnam People’s Army

The VPA, the core of the Vietnam people’s armedforces, is an army from the people and for the people, andready to sacrifice their own lives for “the independence andfreedom of the Homeland, for socialism and for thehappiness of the people.”

The forerunner of the VPA is the Vietnam PropagandaUnit of the Liberation Army, the first main force establishedon December 22, 1944 under the directive of late PresidentHo Chi Minh.

At the time of its founding, the Propaganda Unit of theLiberation Army, with only 34 cadres and soldiers, s oondisplayed the tradition of the nation’s struggle againstforeign invaders and the military art of “using the few tocounter the many and the small to defeat the big .” In itsearly days, the first regular troops of Vietnam attainedresounding feats of arms, liberating large areas to establish

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the bases for the struggle for independence, beginning theVPA's tradition of “determined to fight and determined towin.” On May 15, 1945, the Vietnam Propaganda Unit ofLiberation Army merged with the National Sal vation Armyand was renamed the Liberation Army, becoming the mainmilitary force of the Front of Vietnam Independence Leagueduring the General Uprising to seize state power in theAugust Revolution in 1945.

The Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army,forerunner of the VPA, established on December 22 nd 1944

From 1945 to 1954, the VPA developed by leaps andbounds in both manpower and combat strength. Shortlysince the Independence Day to November 1945, theLiberation Army developed from a small group into a50,000 strong National Army of Vietnam organized into 40detachments. In 1950, the latter was renamed the VietnamPeople’s Army. At that time, the important regular multi -

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regiment units (equivalent to divisions), namely, 308, 304,312, 320, 316, 325 and 351, were established one afteranother, and have so far remained the main force units ofthe VPA. From a small troupe with only several hundredssoldiers during the General Uprising, the VPA grew into anarmy of powerful regular divisions, achieving outstandingfeats of arms, of which the greatest was the Historic Victoryof Dien Bien Phu, where the French scheme to re-establishits colonial regime was resolutely defeated.

The flag of “determined to fight and determined to win ” in the Dien Bien Phu Battle, May 1954

After the 1954 Geneva Accords were signed, Vietnamwas temporarily divided into two parts. The Vietnamesepeople assumed the two strategic tasks of the socialistconstruction in the North and the struggle for nationalreunification. The VPA’s missions then were to developinto a more regularized army that could both safeguard thesocialism in the North and join the struggle for the liberationof the South to achieve national reunification. On February

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15, 1961, the South Vietnam Liberation Army, the militaryforce of the South Vietnam Liberation National Front, wasfounded on the basis of merging the local armed forces withreinforcements from the North. Upon the direct interventionof US troops, the VPA, shouldering with the people andother armed forces, launched the all -people, all-round, long-lasting and arduous war, accomplished miracles with the1968 Spring General Offensive and Uprising as a typicalinstance, and the fought back against the sabotage warsconducted by the US Air Force and Navy on the North, with“Dien Bien Phu Battle in the Air” in December 1972 as thepinnacle; with the successful ending by the historic Ho ChiMinh Campaign on April 30, 1975 resulting in th ereunification of the country, and opened a new era ofdevelopment for Vietnam.

South Vietnam Liberation Army’s tank entered theIndependence Palace on April 30th 1975

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After the 1975 historic victory, the VPA with the wholepeople again won the wars for border protection, preservedthe Homeland’s independence, sovereignty, unity andterritorial integrity.

Right after the end of the national salvation war againstAmerican aggressors, the genocide regime headed by Pol Potin Cambodia incited nationalist resentment and launched theborder encroachment war in the south-west border ofVietnam. Pol Pot’s clique committed numerous barbarousmassacres against the Vietnamese people living along theborder, and at the same time, conducted the policy ofgenocide against the people of Cambodia. To protect theHomeland, on December 23, 1978, the VPA launched thestrategic counter-offensive and smashed the Pol Pot army’sattacks. Then, in response to an urgent appeal from theCambodian people and the Kampuchean National UnitedFront for National Salvation, Vietnam’s military volunteers,along with the Cambodian armed forces, annihilated 21 PolPot divisions and put an end to this brutal genocide regime.

When the country embarked upon the period of peaceand construction, the VPA adjusted its organizationalstructure and equipment, and downsized its strength bynearly two thirds. Generations of VPA officers and soldierscontinue to display the fine tradition and nature of “UncleHo’s Soldiers” and always faithfully fulfil their functions asan army ready for fight, for work and for produce, worthy oflate President Ho Chi Minh’s praise of “Our army, loyal tothe Party, pious to the people and ready to fight and sacrifice

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their lives for independence and freedom of the Homeland,and socialism, will fulfil any tasks, overcome any difficultiesand defeat any enemies.”

Functioning as an army ready for work, the VPA hasalways maintained its close ties with the people. Being one ofthe core forces participating in mass mobilization, the VPAunits have actively conducted that work. Many of them havetaken the lead in socio-economic development in remote andsecluded areas, taking part in search and rescue operations,natural disaster relief, and flood and storm prevention. TheVPA has also joined in the work of hunger elimination andpoverty alleviation, contributing to the improvement of thepeople’s material and spiritual life, st riving to achieve by2010 the goal of hunger elimination and poverty alleviationfor 100,000 needy households.

As an army ready for produce, VPA units have madethe most of such potential as labour, land, techniques, etc.,to promote production activities and generate on-spotsupplemental products that contribute to stabilizing andconsiderably improving the servicemen’s quality of life.VPA factories and enterprises have manufactured varioustypes of weapons and equipment necessary for modernoperations that meet the army’s requirements of combatreadiness and combat. Many VPA units engaging inproduction and business have effectively conducted theiroperations to become the country’s major economicorganizations, pioneering the combination of economy withdefence, thus making worthy contribution s to the nation’s

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socio-economic development and defence -securityconsolidation. VPA businesses have joined a number of thenation’s major projects and ventures such as the Ho ChiMinh highway, North-South 500KV electric grid, servicesfor petrol and gas exploitation , and hydroelectric stationconstructions at the Da River and Dray H’ling. There are 98VPA businesses at present operating in various fields of theeconomy, such as flight services, seaport services,telecommunication, and ship-building industry. Their exportcommodity and service turnover is ever increasing.

Fulfilling its basic function of combat readiness andcombat to protect national independence, sovereignty, unity,territorial integrity, and interes ts, the VPA is organized inthe direction of making it highly-skilled and compact,supplied with necessary modern weapons and equipment,regularly trained, and ready to complete any assigned tasks .

At the moment, the VPA has 450,000 -strong activeforces including main force and local force, and a 5 -million-strong reserve.

The main force, the core of the VPA, comprises themobile force of the corps, services, arms, the main force ofthe military regions and technicians and professionalpersonnel. Besides readiness-training units and combatunits, there is a complete system of logistic support units,technical support units, academies, research institutes,officer-training institutions and professional and vocationalschools at various levels.

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1.1.1. Ground Forces

The Ground Forces is not organized into a separatecommand, but put under the direct guidance and commandof the Ministry of National Defence, the General Staff, theGeneral Political Department, and under t he specificdirection of general departments and other functionalagencies. In the early days, t he VPA was composed of theGround Forces only, mainly infantry. After 65 years ofbuilding, the Ground Forces have gradually developed inorganization and strength to meet the requirements,circumstances and fighting modes of the Vietnam’speople’s war.

The Ground Forces consist of seven Military Regions(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9) and Hanoi Capital Command, sixarms (Artillery, Tank and Armour, Engineering, Signal,Chemical, and Commando) and four corps (1, 2, 3, and 4).Each military region, Army corps and arm ha s Commanderand Vice Commanders, Commissar and Deputy Commissar,functional agencies responsible for staff, political, logistic s,and technical affairs and other subordinate units. Themilitary regions are organized in strategic directions andareas. Each military region consists of affiliated regulardivisions and regiments. A military region commandsprovincial and district military units and the Militia andSelf-Defence Force within the region. Army corps, thelargest-size mobile units in the Ground Force s, arepositioned to protect the country’s vital strategic local areas.An Army corps is composed of divisions and other affiliated

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units. The arms participate in joint and combined operationsas assigned and also exercise the function of technicalsupport and officer and technical personnel training inprofessional branches for the whole VPA. Each arm has itsown combat units, officer-training colleges and professionaltechnical schools.

The Ground Forces of Vietnam are equipped in the“modern, light and compact” direction so as to achieve thecapabilities of high mobility, strong shock and fire power,and fighting in various terrains and any weather and cl imateconditions in conformity with the art of modern people’swar. Having undergone a lot of trials during the wars fornational liberation and defence, the Ground Forces havegradually matured, excellently fulfilled their duties, andbuilt the glorious tradition. All of its corps, most of the armsand numerous units have been awarded the title of Hero ofthe People’s Armed Forces.

1.1.2. Air Defence – Air Force

The Air Defence – Air Force is a service assumingthe responsibilities of both national air defence and airforces. It is the core force responsible for the control anddefence of the airspace, protection of the nation’s keyfacilities and the people, and participates in safeguardingthe Homeland’s seas and islands. The Air Defence – AirForce is able to independently perform its missions, or totake part in joint and combined operations. The serviceplays the role of a consultative organ for the Ministry of

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National Defence on matters concerning the building ofthe air defence of the Ground Forces and the air force ofother services, arms and branches. The military airtransportation, besides the task of supporting combat andcombat readiness, also takes part in natural disaster reliefoperations and economic development activities.

The Air Defence – Air Force is organized into theService Command, combat units, support units, educationalinstitutions and production units. The Service Commandhas the Commander and Vice Commanders, theCommissar and the Deputy Commissar. It also consists ofagencies responsible for military affairs, Party and politicalwork, technical and logistic issues, and affiliated units. Themain combat units of the service are air divisions, airdefence divisions, and affilia ted air units. The Air Defence– Air Force is gradually equipped with various types ofmodern combat aircraft, missiles, anti -aircraft artillery andother technical means, including multi -purpose fighters,long-range air defence missiles and new generation radars.The service has well performed the training task,maintained the combat readiness and control of thecountry’s airspace, and taken part in search -and-rescue anddisaster relief operations.

During the liberation war, the Air Defence – Air Force,by performing its duties with excellence, defeated the twowars of sabotage of the U.S. Air Force and Navy in theNorth, protected the transportation of supplies from theNorth to the South, making worthy contribution to

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defending the North and liberating th e South, thus achievingnational reunification. By virtue of their achievements incombat operations and other tasks, bot h the Air Defence andAir Force have been awarded the title of Hero of thePeople’s Armed Forces

1.1.3. Navy

The Vietnam People’s Navy is the core service inprotecting Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty. The Navy’sresponsibility is to strictly manage and control the watersand islands in the East Sea under Vietnam’s sovereignty,to maintain security, to co unter any acts of violatingsovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and nationalinterests of Vietnam at sea, to secure normal activities ofVietnam in its waters and islands in conformity withVietnamese and international laws, to ensure maritimesafety and participate in search -and-rescue operations inaccordance with Vietnam’s laws and the internationalconventions adopted by Vietnam, to be ready for jointand combined operations to defeat any aggression fromand at sea.

The Navy Headquarters takes command of the entireNavy. The Headquarters has the Commander and ViceCommanders, the Commissar and the Deputy Commissar.It also consists of agencies responsible for military affairs,Party and political work, technical and logistic issues. TheNavy is organized into five Naval Regions (1, 2, 3, 4, and5) and affiliated units. The main forces of the Navy are the

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units of surface ships, coast al artillery and land-to-seamissiles, marine, naval commando and island defenceforces. The Navy has been reinforce d with personnel andequipment to effectively conduct search -and-rescueoperations. In the future, the Navy will be further equippedwith modern weapons and enhanced combat power to besufficiently capable of successfully accomplishing the taskof protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights,jurisdiction and national interests at sea.

The Navy enjoys a very glorious tradition, havingachieved great feats of arms in fighting against the sabotagewar launched by the U.S. Air Force and Navy in the North ofVietnam, particularly in breaking through the U.S. sea laneblockade, and in accomplishing its assigned tasks in the historicHo Chi Minh Campaign. The Service has been awarded thetitle of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces.

1.1.4. Border Guard

The Border Guard, equivalent to a service, is acomponent of the VPA. It exercises the functions ofcontrolling, protecting national sovereignty, territorialintegrity, public order and security of national borders onland, at sea, and border gates as regulated by laws. It is alsoa force in defence zones of the border provinces anddistricts. The Border Guard bears the main responsibility forcoordinating with concerned branches and forces in localareas and authorities in controlling and protecting thenational border lines and border landmarks, ensuring the

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implementation of agreements, regulations and laws onborder issues, detecting and fighting against all illegalactivities and sabotages, and crimes of all kinds to preservesovereignty, security and public order in the boundary areas;carrying out the border guard external relations, maintainingcontacts with agencies concerned of neighbouring countriesto settle the border related issues with a view to build ing theborder of peace and friendship, hence making contributionto the creation of an environment of stability anddevelopment that actively supports the policy of expandinginternational cooperation.

The Border Guard is consistently organized andcommanded from its Headquarters to grassroots units,including the Border Guard Command, border guardprovincial (municipal) commands, border guard maritimebrigades, and border guard posts, border guard maritimedetachments. The Border Guard Command has theCommander and Vice Commanders, the Commissar andthe Deputy Commissar. It also consists of agenciesresponsible for military affairs, Party and political work,technical and logistic issues, the Department of DrugsPrevention and Control, and affiliated units. The B orderGuard has become increasingly stronger, professionallycompetent, and adept at mass mobilization and expert inVietnam laws, as well as international laws and practices.It is equipped with border guard professional means anddevices and increasingly modern weapons to accomplishits tasks.

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Since its establishment on March 3, 1959, after 50years of growing, and maturing, and increasingly striving,the Border Guard’s officers and soldiers have achievednumerous feats of arms and glorious victories. The BorderGuard has been awarded a Gold Star Order and twice thetitle of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces.

1.1.5. Local Force

The Local Force is a mobile force engaging inoperations mainly within its locality, an d together with themilitia and self-defence units, playing the core role in thepeople’s war at localities under the direct command of theprovincial military commands (or centrally -governedcities) and the district-level military commands (orprovincially-governed towns and cities). The Local Forceis closely linked to a defence zone, carrying out combatoperations in the general defence posture of the militaryregion as well as the whole country in accordance with therequirements and characteristics of each area in thepeople’s war at the locality in combination with thepeople’s war of the entire country.

The organization, equipment, and disposition of theLocal Force depends on the size and the importance ofprovinces (or centrally-governed cities) and districts (orprovincially-governed towns and cities). Up to theorganizational size, terrain conditions , and the socio-economic situation of each locality, the Local Force unitsare equipped with the amounts and types of weapons

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suitable for combat needs. The Local Force also hasprofessional and technical units, as well as air -defence,artillery, reconnaissance, commando, engineering and othersupport units.

Nowadays, education and training for Local Forceunits are conducted regularly in order to raise the sense ofvigilance and readiness necessary for the coordination andcombination with militia and self -defence units in fightingfor the protection of the local people and authorities. TheLocal Force also closely coordinates with the Militia andSelf-Defence Force to maintain order and security withintheir own localities, render assistance to the Militia andSelf-Defence Force in training, and contribute to thefulfilment of training task for the Reserve.

1.1.6. Reserve

The Reserve, a component of the VPA, is strictlyorganized, disciplined and capable of fulfil ling its task,ready to participate in the active force as re quired. TheReserve includes reserve military personnel and technica lmeans of the national economy which have been selectedand planned to readily supplement the active force of theVPA. The Reserve is organized on the basis of the sametable of organization and equipment of the VPA with itscomponents corresponding to those of the services and armsof the regular and Local Force.

Every year, the Government assigns quotas of training,exercises and examinations of mobilization readiness for

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ministries, branches and localities. The Ministry of NationalDefence instructs, directs, inspects and urges the localitiesand units in their building and mobilization of the Reservein conformity with the laws, and directly administers thetraining arrangement of the reserve units. The ministries ,branches, and provincial people’s committees co ordinatewith active units of the VPA to allocate military reservistsand technical equipment to reserve units based on themobilization quotas assigned by the Government.

The reservists are selected from military personnelfinishing their military service and civilians trained asregulated by the law. Annually, the reserve units aresummoned for checking their mobilization readiness, withtraining and military exercises based on a commontraining programme. Reservists are selectively appointedto command posts of the reserve units and get allowancesas regulated.

So far, the Reserve has become an important forcecontributing to the building of the all-people defence and theconsolidation of the strength of the people’s war posture tomeet the requirements of construction and protection of theHomeland under new circumstances.

1.1.7. Major Academies, Colleges and Research Institutes

The VPA has a complete system of academies andschools to meet the demand for training officers and non-commissioned officers as well as technicians at all levelsfor the VPA, masters and doctorate candidates for the

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military, engineers and technicians for civilian areas. Thoseinstitutions also do scient ific and technological research ingeneral, and military scientific and technological researchin particular. At present, Vietnam has 21 militaryacademies, colleges, and 1 junior college training officersfor all branches, agencies and units under the Min istry ofNational Defence. Organizationally, there are 6 majoracademies and 3 officer-training colleges directly attachedto the Ministry of National Defence. The remainingacademies, colleges and schools are under the managementof general departments, s ervices and arms. Militaryeducational institutions are classified on the basis ofresponsibilities and tasks of training officers. The NationalDefence Academy is the only institution training strategic -level officers. The remaining academies train operat ionaland tactical-level officers. The officer -training collegestrain company-level command officers.

The National Defence Academy is a major Stateeducational institution, assigned by the Government tothe Ministry of National Defence for direct manageme nt.This Academy is the training and supplementary centrefor Party’s and State’s high -level cadres. Its tasks includethe training of operational and strategic -level officers forthe VPA, the improvement of national defenceknowledge for key cadres of the ministries, agencies,branches and public mass organizations at central andlocal levels, the training of military masters anddoctorate candidates, and international cooperation with

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some countries in the field of training military andcivilian cadres in terms of national defence.

The Ministry of National Defence also directlyadministers two academies training medium and high -ranking political and military officers, namely, theAcademy of Politics and the Academy of Army. TheAcademy of Politics’ mission is to train political officers atthe intermediate and advanced levels of politics. It is alsoentrusted with the task of managing the Institute forMilitary Social Sciences and Humanities by the Ministry ofNational Defence. The Academy of Army, which isdirectly under the Ministry of National Defence, is amilitary educational institution, responsible for trainingcommand and staff officers at regimental and divisionallevels for the Ground Forces.

Directly attached to the Ministry of National Defenceare other research institutes on military science, arts andtechnology such as the Institute for Military Strategy, theInstitute for Military Science and Technology, the Institutefor Military History, and the Institute for DefenceInternational Relations.

The Institute for Military Strategy plays the role of aconsultative organ for the Ministry of National Defence onissues related to national defence guidelines and policies,and the building of the armed forces, studying, analy singand forecasting potential threats to Vietnam’s nationaldefence and security, issues of military ideology, guidelines

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and doctrines, the arts of war, modes of warfare, theeconomic-national defence issues, and proposing thedirections for the organization and construction of the armedforces, the leadership and command system, and measuresfor safeguarding the Homeland.

The Institute for Military Science and Technology is aresearch institution on military science-technologies thatconducts research on and develops equipment and weaponsfor the army to meet the requirements of modern warfare ,while simultaneously doing research on sciences, tec hniquesand technologies for civilian use.

The Institute for Military History is the leadinghistorical research institution of the VPA in charge of doingresearch on the military history of Vietnam and the world inorder to draw lessons and experiences that serve the tasks ofthe Homeland’s construction and protection at present andin the future.

The Institute for Defence International Rela tions isresponsible for research on the world defence relations. Atthe same time, it plays the role of a consultative organ andorganizes activities of multilateral defence foreign relationsfor the Ministry of National Defence.

1.1.8. Major Production Units

The production units of the VPA are the leading forcein combining the economy with national defence. VPA’scompanies, enterprises, including many co rporations andproduction corps, have made considerable contributions to

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the cause of industrialization and modernization of thecountry, maintaining their presence in the most difficultregions for socio-economic development, thus creatingstrong national defence posture in the vital areas of theHomeland.

The VPA has more than 20 production corpsresponsible for the socio-economic development of theremote and mountainous areas, contributing to theimprovement of the material and spiritual life of the people,and ensuring national defence and securit y in the borderregions and islands. The production corps take part in the re-distribution of the inhabitants in accordance with theproduction planning and national long-term defence-securitygoals, forming groups of villages and communes in theborder regions in the all-people national defence posture forthe protection of the Homeland. The tasks of such productioncorps are to build critical infrastructures, for example, roads,electric and irrigation systems, clean water supply, schools,medical stations and markets; to carry out measures toencourage the production of agriculture, forestry andaquaculture, creating basic elements for the development ofthe commodity economy; to assistant in hunger eliminationand poverty alleviation in the areas of resp onsibility. Inplaces with favourable conditions for large-scale productionwhere local people are not able to invest in goods productionby themselves (such as the Central Highlands, South-westernVietnam and North-western Vietnam), the VPA directlyorganizes production so as to attract the ethnic minorities as

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well as people from other places to come for settlement andparticipation in the State’s economic organizations.

In parallel with improving the material life of thepeople, production corps also make considerablecontribution to the improvement of the cultural and spirituallife in the distant areas of the Homeland. The productioncorps have mobilized the people to carry out the Party’s andState’s guidelines and policies; developed television andradio broadcasting, cultural and medical systems inmountainous villages; built schools for the children of theethnic minorities; taken part in primary educationuniversalization and illiteracy eradication; improvedconditions of medical care for the people ; and preserved anddeveloped the traditional culture of the ethnic minorities.The production corps have also helped improve and train thecadre contingent for the localities, facilitating sustainablesocio-economic development in local areas.

Since their establishment, production corps have takenpart in resettlement programs, built hundreds of groups ofnew mountainous villages, sponsored and organized thepermanent agriculture and settlement for tens of thousands ofhouseholds, and generated jobs for e thnic minority groups.The production corps have assisted the people to reclaimvirgin lands, improve paddy fields for wet rice cultivation,contributing to the modification of backward lifestyles andcultivating customs, and built and consolidated the nationaldefence-security posture in key local areas.

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1.2. Militia and Self-Defence Force

Militia and Self-Defence Force is the armed force ofthe masses that is not separated from production activitiesand work. As a component of the People’s Armed Forces ofthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it is placed under theleadership of the CPV, the management of the Governmentand people’s committees at various levels, the unifiedguidance and command of the Minister of National Defence,and the direct guidance and command of local militaryheadquarters, taking responsibility for the protection ofadministrative authorities, lives and property of the people,State property at the levels of communes, office s andorganizations.

In peacetime, the Militia and Self-Defence Force is thecore force tasked with performing both work andproduction, and playing the vanguard role in protectingproduction activities, preventing and overcoming theaftermaths of natural calamities and enemy-inflicteddestruction as well as other serious incidents. At the sametime, it co-ordinates with grassroots-level security forces tomaintain political security, and public order and safety inlocalities, and participates in building g rassroots-levelestablishments into comprehensively strong ones, makingcontributions to the building of increasingly firm localdefence zones. In border, sea areas and islands, the Militiaand Self-Defence Force co-ordinates with the Border GuardForce to firmly protect sovereignty, territorial integrity andborder security of the Homeland. In wartime, the Militia and

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Self-Defence Force becomes the strategic force in carryingout people’s war, acting as the core force in the movementof fighting the enemy by the whole people, taking part incombat and combat service, coordinating with other forcesto protect the locality and unit pursuant to the operationalplan of the defence zone. The Militia and Self-DefenceForce carries out civil defence work both in peacetime andwartime as regulated by law.

Militia units are organized in communes, precincts ordistrict towns (commonly called communes). The self -defence units are organized in political, socio-politicalbodies, State offices, civil services and economicorganizations (commonly called offices and organizations).The Militia and Self-Defence Force is composed of the coreforce and the broad force. The core one is composed of theMilitia and Self-Defence Force in infantry, air-defence,artillery, engineering, reconnaissance, signal, chemicalprotection, medical care, and the coastline and maritimeMilitia and Self-Defence Force. The mobile, on-the-spot andpermanent forces of the Militia and Self-Defence Force areorganized into platoons, companies or battal ions, andequipped with appropriate weapons. The Militia and Self-Defence Force is provided with political education andmilitary training in the programmes regulated by the Ministryof National Defence. The Minister of National Defence andcommanders of military headquarters at various levelscommand the Militia and Self-Defence Force as stipulated bythe Law on National Defence. Activities of the Militia and

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Self-Defence Force are carried out according to the plans ofcommune-level military commanders, and of militarycommand boards of offices and organizations, under thedirect leadership as well as guidance of the Party’s executivecommittees and the grassroots-level administrativeauthorities.

The First National Congress of the CPV issued “theResolution on Self-Defence Teams” on March 28, 1935which is regarded as the foundation date of Vietnam’sMilitia and Self-Defence Force. For the past 74 years, thedevelopment history of the Militia and Self-Defence Forcehas been closely linked to the cause of nationalindependence, and the Homeland’s construction andprotection. From 1935 to 1945, self -defence teams in bothrural and urban areas came into being, becoming coreelements for the masses to conduct armed uprisings andguerrilla warfare, and to build and expand their guerrillabases. In August 1945, the Militia and Self-Defence Forcetogether with the whole people successfully carried out theGeneral Uprising for independence. After September 2,1945, the Militia and Self-Defence Force became anelement of the independent State of Vietnam ’s armed forces,one of the three categories of the people’s armed forces, andwas organized in all communes and villages, municipalquarters, actually becoming a tool to protect the youngrevolutionary regime and the revolutionary achievements.

In the resistance war against the French colonialis ts,the Militia and Self-Defence Force was developed

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extensively all over the country, gradually unifiedorganizationally, guided and commanded by the communalmilitia board, and district and provincial militaryheadquarters under the direct leadership of the Party’sexecutive committees at various levels. Although equippedonly with rudimentary improvised weapons while facing theexpeditionary force armed with modern weapons, theMilitia and Self-Defence Force together with the peopleformed combat villages, steadfastly held the ground andstuck fast to the people, wearing the enemies out, destroyingthe puppet authority system, eliminating traitors to theVietnamese nation, and actively co-ordinating with regulartroops to fight against enemy’s moppi ng-up and besiegingoperations. The Militia and Self-Defence Force made manyenemies’ military posts surrender and withdraw, expandedthe guerrilla bases, and contained and stretched e nemy’sforces, compelling them to disperse for response, createdfavourable conditions and joined the regular troops inconducting successfully many major operations,culminating in the historic Dien Bien Phu Battle.

In the national salvation war against Americanaggressors, the North Vietnam’s Militia and Self-DefenceForce, comprised of over 700 detachments and equippedwith relatively modern weapons, formed an anti-aircraftnetwork against enemy’s low flying airplanes and shotdown many enemy aircraft. The number of US aircraft shotdown by the Militia and Self-Defence Force aloneaccounted for ten percent of the total US airplanes shot

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down over the North. The Militia and Self-Defence Forcealso captured alive a great number of US pilots, wiped outtens of enemy commando groups, and sank and damagedmany enemy combat ships. The Militia and Self-DefenceForce also performed well the task of the people’s air-defence at grass-roots localities, built a variety of air-raidshelters, overcame the aftermath of the damage caused byenemy’s air-raids, cleared unexploded bombs, mines andwater mines, and broke through sea lanes and harboursblockade, etc. There were 183 million turns of peopleparticipation in transportation, combat service, and helpevacuating people, preventing and overcoming the aftermathof the damage caused by the enemy, and reinforc ingeffectively manpower and materials for the Southern front.

The Militia and Guerrilla Forces in South Vietnambravely fought against the enemy with all kinds of w eapons,used various and creative ways of fighting throughout threestrategic regions, closely combin ing political struggle witharmed struggle, holding out resiliently, creating the positionof an interlocked pattern between our forces and theenemy’s. This unique and creative way of fighting ,Vietnamese guerrilla warfare, compelled the enemy tostretch its force in response. In the 1975 Spring GeneralOffensive, the Militia and Self-Defence Force together withthe regular troops and the entire people in South Vietnamlaunched simultaneous offensives and uprisings, liberatingthe whole of Southern Vietnam and achieved thereunification of the country.

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After the great victory in the spring of 1975, the Militiaand Self-Defence Force acted as a core component of thepeople at grassroots levels to overcome the aftermath of warby actively clearing unexploded bombs and mines to restoremillions of hectares of cultivated land for production . TheMilitia and Self-Defence Force was mobilized to take part inthe construction of the border defence line, directly engagedin combat and combat service, making importantcontributions to the success of the border wars.

Nowadays, the Militia and Self-Defence Force hasdeveloped in quality, quantity, organizational structure ,and equipment. The organizational structure is morecompact but the overall quality of the Militia and Self-Defence Force has been upgraded, meeting therequirements of new assignments.

Over 74 years of construction, combat anddevelopment, generations of cadres and members of theMilitia and Self-Defence Force have shown absolute loyaltyto the Homeland, the people, and the revolutionary cause ofthe Party, combating resiliently, ingeniously and bravely,labouring, studying and working effectively andcreatively, and gained great achievements. Its 366 unitsand 275 individuals have been awarded the title of Heroof the People’s Armed Forces. Vietnam’s Militia andSelf-Defence Force deserves President Ho Chi Minh’spraise: “The Militia and Self-Defence Force andguerrillas are the force of the whole nation, an invincibleforce, a solid wall of the Homeland. No matter how

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atrocious enemies are, if they collide with that force, thatwall, they are sure to be destroyed.”

2. GUIDELINES FOR BUILDING OF THE VPAAND THE MILITIA AND SELF-DEFENCE FORCE

2.1. Building the Vietnam People’s Army

Vietnam advocates maintaining the VPA powerfulenough, with a reasonable strength, highly trained, ready tomeet all the demands for the protection of the Homeland.

2.1.1. Building Politico-Spiritual strength

Building the VPA politically and spiritually strong is aprinciple in the building of the VPA, a basis to raise theoverall quality as well as combat power of the VPA,manifesting the viewpoint of regarding the human factor asthe determinant in the battlefield. Political and spiritualbuilding is to strengthen the Party’s leadership and theeffectiveness of the State’s management, to maintain thenature of the working class, the national and people’scharacteristics of the VPA. The combat power in terms ofpolitics and ideology of Vietnam’s armed forces alsomanifests in the striving for mastery of advanced militaryscience and technology, and the spirit of “dare to fight andfight to win.”

Vietnam advocates enhancing the work of politicaleducation to make sure that the VPA brings into full playthe tradition of patriotism and solidarity to fight the enemyand defend the country bequeathed from our forefathers for

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national protection, the tradition of “determined to fight,determined to win” of the VPA. VPA cadres and soldiersmust be educated and trained to ensure their firm politicalfoundation and determination to fulfil any tasks, in anyconditions and under any circumstances, especially in theface of ideology-sabotaging activities by hostile forces andnegative effects of the society, their absolute loyalty to theHomeland and the regime, impregnation of revolutionarymorals, close connection to the people, and their willingnessto sacrifice their lives for national independence, freedomand interests, making contribution to the maintenance ofpeace in the region and world. The Party, commandorganizations, the system of political offices and the publicmass organizations in the VPA should be madecomprehensively powerful.

Vietnam is determined to counter all attempts of“depoliticizing” the VPA and People’s Armed Forces byhostile elements to separate the People’s Armed Forcesfrom the leadership of the CPV.

2.1.2. The Organizational Structure and Equipment,and the Build-up of Human Resources

In peacetime, Vietnam advocates continuing todownsize the strength of the active force and to build thereserve force sufficient to meet the requirements in case ofcontingency or war. The active force of the VPA ismaintained at the level of reasonable strength, highly-skilled, yet compact, ensuring the combat power. The

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reduction in the number of subordinate units, the gradualtransfer of certain support activities to civil sectors, therestructuring of the armed forces in the direction of givingpriority to combat units, the units conducting importanttasks, and technical services and arms are fundamentalguidelines for the organizational structure and equipment ofthe armed forces in general , and the VPA in particular.

President Ho Chi Minh greatly appreciated the roleof the contingent of officers and cadres when he said:“Cadres are considered as cornerstones for all kinds ofwork”. Thus, the building of the contingent of officers andprofessional technical personnel, and training high -qualityhuman resources for the people’s armed forces are pivotalwork and are of strategic significance. The objective ofthe training and education of the contingent of officersand professional technical personnel of the VPA is tosatisfy the demand of building the revolutionary, regular,seasoned and gradually modern Army. Officers andprofessional technical personnel of the VPA must havefirm political foundation and determination, strongcombat will, and be capable of commanding the troopsand operating under conditions of hi -tech wars. They mustbe educated and trained in all aspects of politics, ideology,morals, manners, competence and qualifications. Thesystem of VPA educational institutions responsible fortraining officers and technicians in military science -technology majors must be organized in the direction ofintensive training, widening the linkages among

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themselves and with the training establishments of o therministries and branches so as to raise the effectiveness oftraining, to build an abundant source of talents trained forsatisfying the requirement of the armed forces .Furthermore, VPA educational institutions must providenecessary knowledge in such fields as politics, economics,culture, sociology, law, technique , technology andmanagement for the contingent of officers andprofessional technical personnel so that when they are nolonger in service, they would easily adjust to civilian life.The State implements proper training policies toencourage and attract numerous brilliant young students toattend officer and professional technical personneltraining colleges and schools in order to create asupplementary source of talent s for the armed forces .

2.1.3. Training

In peacetime, in parallel with political and spiritualbuilding, military training is indispensable for strengtheningthe combat power and combat readiness of the armed forces.The VPA pays special attention to the training of individualcombat skills, joint and combined operations, and makingthe best use of the performance as well as effectiveness ofexisting weapons and equipment through the application ofthe Vietnamese military art. It also attaches greatimportance to raising the knowledge on modern militarytechnology and to renovating the content, programmes andmethods of training in conformity with the organizational

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size, equipment as well as realistic conditions of eachcategory of the armed forces so as to meet the combatrequirements for defending the country in new situations.

The training is renovated comprehensively along themotto of “basics, practical ities, thorough grasp.” Greatimportance is attached to the synchronized and in-depthtraining, close to combat realities, the requirements,assignments and operational areas of each force and eachunit, consonant with the organizational structure andequipment, and the Vietnamese military art. In training,special attention is paid to the training and exercises of areadefence at various levels, to the exercises of search andrescue, of natural disaster prevention as well as overcomingnatural disaster consequences, and of counterterrorism, sothat the units can deal well with various situations, fulfillingexcellently the assignments.

To raise overall quality, enhance combat power as wellas combat readiness of the VPA, the educational andtraining contents, programmes and methods continue to berenewed in order to be suitable for modern operationalconditions. Special attention is paid to domestic andinternational linkage and integrated education. Greatimportance is attached to the training and fostering leadersand commanders with comprehensively excellent skills,military talents and skilled technical personnel. The trainingis close to combat requirements, combining the new way offighting with the traditional one, selectively acquiring

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experiences of other countries and combining guerrillafighting mode with the regular force one.

2.1.4. Weapons, Technical and Logistic Equipment

Weapons and technical equipment play a very importantrole in modern wars. Although being a developing countrywith low-level of science and technology development theState of Vietnam pays attention to provide the VPA withweapons and technical equipment necessary for safeguardingthe country. In order to provide the armed forces withweapons and technical equipment, in addition to conservingand maintaining well, and improving selectively the existinginventories, Vietnam has made appropriate investment inself-producing some weapons and equipment conformablewith its technological capability, and at the same time,procuring some advanced weapons and technical equipmentto meet the demands of strengthening the combat power ofthe people’s armed forces.

Vietnam’s national defence industry is a component ofthe national industry, developed mainly in the direction ofself-reliance. At the same time, cooperation with defenceindustries of friendly countries is being conducted so as toabsorb advanced technologies with a view to raising thelevel of science and technology development. For theresearch, development and application of militarytechnology and production of Vietnamese national defenceindustry establishments to further satisfy the requirementsfor repairing, improving, producing weapons and technical

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equipment of the armed forces, the national defence industrydevelops on the basis of close linkage with other industries,mobilizing potentialities of all economic sectors in anintegrated strategy.

Logistic equipment plays an essential role in combatoperations. The development of logistic equipment iscarried out in the direction of research and improvement forraising quality of products necessary for the troops to fightunder the condition of hi-tech wars. Proper investment ismade in the acquisition of and research on manufacturinglogistic equipment in order to meet regular demands of theVPA as well as of war situations. The scientific -technological research for the production of logisticequipment is accelerated together with strengthening themaintenance, management, reasonable use and bringing intofull play the existing logistic equipment.

2.1.5. Building and Developing the Military Science

Experience and lessons drawn from the long history ofarmed uprisings, wars of liberation and wars of nationaldefence have been developed into the unique militarydoctrine of Vietnam. Such experience and lessons have beensummed up into the system of knowledge in order to find outthe strength for safeguarding the country. One of the basesfor creating this source of strength i s the sense of nationalcohesion of Vietnam. That sense is shown fully in thepatriotism, in the spirit of independence, self -mastery, self-reliance and self-resilience as stated by President Ho Chi

97

Minh “Liberate ourselves with our own power.” The militaryscience of Vietnam always places emphasis on that great andprofound lesson. Owing to this, the capabilities of the entirepeople and entire nation have been exploited and made fulluse to the maximum extent through the thousands -of-yearlong history to build and defend the Homeland.

Nowadays, under the new conditions andcircumstances, the military science of Vietnam is beingenriched with theories of building the people’s armed forcesand the all-people national defence in peacetime. Themilitary science of Vietnam has been built on the basis ofthe military theory and practices of its own and at the sametime, acquired the quintessence of the world military scienceand applied in conformity with the specific conditions ofVietnam, especially those related to new factors emergingfrom the influences of the techno -scientific revolution inmilitary affairs.

Coupling with the development of the military science,the military technology branch is also bringing into full playthe tradition of “initiative, crea tiveness, self-reliance andself-resilience” in the research, development and applicationof new technologies, especially the information technology,in the training and education of technicians with a view tomeeting the demands of conducting the people’s war againsthi-tech war to safeguard the Homeland.

The command system has satisfied the requirement ofcommanding the VPA and excellen tly fulfilled its tasks in

98

the recent wars. Nowadays, the techno -scientificachievements, particularly those in informati on technology,have made great strides in communication means to theservice of command, control, intelligence and “informationwarfare.” The big challenges of this kind of warfare requirethe command system of the VPA to be modernized so as tobe able to meet the needs of any future war of nationaldefence. Improving and raising the quality of thecommunication system play an important role in buildingthe strength of the all-people national defence in general andthe combat power of the VPA in particular.

2.1.6. Broadening Defence International Cooperation

Broadening external relations and heightening theeffectiveness of international cooperation in the defence andsecurity fields are an important orientation in the building ofthe VPA in the time to come.

The cooperation in training, education, and experienceand academic exchanges are priorities in the defenceexternal relations of Vietnam. Vietnam advocatesbroadening international cooperation in the training ofofficers and high-level professional technical personnel,especially in foreign language training, military medicine aswell as other militarily scientific and technological fields. Inaddition to sending military personnel abroad for studyingand training, some schools and colleges of the VPA areexpanding their training and education for students of othercountries’ armed forces. Since 2007, the Vietnam’s National

99

Defence Academy has opened training courses for foreignhigh-ranking officers. Broadening relations betweenVietnam’s academies, colleges and research institutes ofnational defence with foreign partners, and sending officersto attend international conferences as well as seminars areimportant channels for open exchanges on regional andinternational security issues of mutual i nterests, at the sametime create opportunities for cooperation to raise the qualityof research on new issues in the military science and art.

Vietnam pays attention to international coopera tion innational defence industry in order to meet the demands forweaponry of the armed forces, to enhance capabilities of thenational defence industry on the basis of the strictimplementation of international commitments to armscontrol mechanism. Vietnam’s national defence industryprioritises international cooperation in the fields oftechnological research and transfer, weapon and equipmentproduction and repair, and personnel training.

To provide the VPA with modern weapons that thedomestic defence industry is not yet capable of producing tomeet the requirement of safeguarding the Homeland ,Vietnam continues to acquire military weapons andequipment from traditional trading partners. At the sametime, Vietnam pays attention to expanding def ence traderelations with other countries in order to further satisfy theneeds for technical support as well as equipment andweapons of the armed forces.

100

2.2. Building the Militia and Self-Defence Force

The Militia and Self-Defence Force is built in thedirection of “solidity and extensiveness”, with high overallquality, first and foremost the political one, and organizedinto active mobile force and widespread force withappropriate quantity and proportion, and rationalorganizational structure. The quality of training milit iacommanders of communes (precincts, district towns) isfurther improved. The role of leadership and guidance oflocal Party’s executive committees and administrativeauthorities to the Militia and Self-Defence Force isstrengthened, ensuring that this force is capable of fulfillingsuccessfully its tasks and playing a pivotal and importantrole in the protection of the Party’s executive committees,administrative authorities and people in localities.

Thoroughly grasping the Party’s viewpoints andguidelines in building the armed forces of the masses in newsituations, the Militia and Self-Defence Force is re-examined, consolidated to raise quality, foremost thepolitical one. Proceeding from new requirements andassignments in modern wars, the building of an appropriateMilitia and Self-Defence Force organization is carefullystudied. The organization model of the Militia and Self-Defence Force is renovated in conformity with the diversityof economic sectors. The Militia and Self-Defence Force isorganized in an extensive manner but with focal points,combining rudimentary with relatively modern and modern

101

equipment to meet the demands of foreseeable and long -term tasks.

The training of the Militia and Self-Defence Force isbeing renovated both in contents and methods,concentrating on cadres drilling and fostering.Examinations, demonstrations and exercises are frequentlyheld to enhance working, command, and combatcompetences of the cadres and soldiers of the Militia andSelf-Defence Force. Great importance is attached to thetraining of combat co-ordination between the Militia andSelf-Defence Force and local troops and regular troops. TheMilitia and Self-Defence Force is trained for better fulfillingthe tasks of natural disaster relief and prevention, andprotection of social security order in localities.

The State applies an appropriately good treatmentpolicy towards cadres and members of the Militia and Self-Defence Force, creating favourable conditions bothmaterially and spiritually for them to operate more and morepractically and effectively, so as to make worthy contributionto the cause of Homeland construction and protection

103

CONCLUSION

105

The White Paper on Vietnam National Defenceprovides readers with an overview on the basic issues of theVietnam’s national defence polic y of which the building ofall-people national defence, the building of the VPA and theMilitia and Self-Defence Force are key matters. The issuesaddressed in the White Paper on Vietnam National Defenceare aimed at contributing to the promotion of mutualunderstanding and confidence-building between Vietnamand other countries. This Paper is also an importantdocument to raise the awareness of national defence forcitizens of Vietnam, and help all citizens, offices, units andsocial organizations better understand their rights and dutiesto national defence consolidation for building andsafeguarding the Homeland.

In the context of complicated and unpredictablechanges in the world and regional security , with the mixtureof opportunities and challenges, Vietnam advocates themaintenance and development of a sufficiently powerfulnational defence, adheres to the national defence policy ofpeaceful and self-defence nature focusing on building theall-people national defence. Vietnam builds its armed forces“of the people, by the people and for the people.” which areclosely organized and strictly disciplined, with a reasonableactive force, a large and mighty reserve force. The armedforces are trained and equipped with increasingly advancedweapons to be strong enough to protect independence,sovereignty, unification, territorial integrity and the interestsof the nation and the socialist regime. Vietnam accelerates

106

international cooperation in the national defence andsecurity fields, seeks long-term solutions to territorialdisputes as well as other issues by peaceful means, andcontributes to building Southeast Asia into a peaceful, stableand prosperous region.

The publication of 2009 White Paper on VietnamNational Defence expresses Vietnam’s desire anddetermination for the development of friendship,cooperation, and equal relations with all countries on thebasic of mutual respect for the sake of peace, nationalindependence, democracy and social progress./.

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APPENDICES

109

Appendix 1:Organization and Structure of the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam

MilitaryCommands(Provinces,

cities)

Divisions

MilitaryCommands(Districts)

Division

Regiment

Battalion

Platoon

Company

Squad

General StaffHeadquarters

General PoliticalDepartment

General Department ofLogistics

General Department ofTechnology

General Department ofDefence Industry

General Department ofDefence Intelligence

CorpsMilitary Regions Arms(Artillery, SOF,Tank & Armour,

Engineering,Chemical, Signals)

Air Defence – AirForce Navy Border Guard

Academies,CollegesSchools

ResearchInstitutes

EconomicUnits

FunctionalAgencies

AffiliatedOrganization

s

MaritimePolice

MaritimePolice Zones

RegimentsBrigadessss

RegimentsDivisions Brigades Naval

Regions

BorderGuard.

(Provincial& municipal

levels)

BorderGuardPosts

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE

110

APPENDIX 2: LIST OF VIETNAM’S NATIONALDEFENCE ATTACHÉ OFFICES

PhoneNo. Location Address

Fax

00.856.214124031 Laos No. 65, Saomsayha Rd.,Vientiane, Laos 00.856.21416352

00.855.125954432 Cambodia No.75, 214 Rd., 7/1Dist., Phnom Penh,Cambodia 00.855.23801430

00.628168763733 Indonesia Ambassador Mall,JS Sura Sarid, Indonesia 00.62215265093

00.603.269135224 Malaysia No.7, Lorongsan Ahwing, Off Jalansamarak, 54100, KualaLumpur, Malaysia

00.603.26913566

00.95.15378235 Myanmar No.45, InyamaingRd.,Bahan Township,Yangon, Union ofMyanmar

00.63.252804746 ThePhilippines

No.670, Pabio, Ocampo,Malate,Manila, the Philippines 00.63.25280476

00.65.647574917 Singapore No.62, Farrer Rd. # 03 -01, Spanish Village,Singapore 268847 00.65.64632817

00.66.238392848 Thailand No.1479, PichayaLasalle, Soi Sukhumvit105 (Soi Lasalle),Bangna, Bangkok 10260Thailand

00.66.23839285

111

PhoneNo. Location AddressFax

00.86.10653235939 China No.32, Guang Hua Rd.,Chao yang Dist.,Beijing, China 00.86.1065323593

00.82.2749836210 Korea,Republic

No.726-62, Hannam 2 -dong, Yongsan – gu,Seoul, ROK 00.82.27493275

00.86.106544232711 Korea, DPRK No.7, Moonsoo dong-Dong Pyong Yang-Pyongang, DPRK

00.81.3532061712 Japan Yoyogi 3-57-6, Room305, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo151-0053, Japan 00.81.35320617

00.91114601969713 India B1/70, SafdarjungEnclave, New Delhi -110029, India 00.91.26161571

00.01.202.293182214 United States(concurrentlyin charge ofCanada)

1233, 20th St., NW,Suite 201, WashingtonD.C., 20036, USA 00.01.202.2931842

00.55.613254795715 Brazil SHIS QI-13, Conjunto12-Casa 16, Lago Sul,Brasilia, Brazil 00.55.6132480669

00.53.7.204408716 Cuba No 15201, Avenida 1raA, Esq.154 RepartoNautico, MunicipioPlaya, Ciudad La Habana

00.53.7.2086418

00.74.95251895017 Russia No.30, Tverxkaia St.,Iamskaya 1. Moscow,Russia 00.74.952502138

00.380.44284574018 Ukraine No.51-A, Tavarna St.,Kiev 01103, Ukraine 00.380.442845542

112

PhoneNo. Location Address

Fax

00.359.2961325719 Bulgaria No.7, 507 St.Semeonovo, Sofia,Bulgaria 00.359.29613429

00.33.15763035320 France No.45 bis, Av. DivisionLeclerc, 92320 Chatillon 00.33.157637036

00.27.12460886321 South Africa Rem. Ext of Erf551,No.302, NicholsonSt.,Brooklyn Pretoria,Republic of South Africa 00.27.124608872

00.61.26290159022 Australia No.4, Broinowski PL.,ISAACS, ACT 2670,Australia 00.61.262868630

00.21.321.60385423 Algeria No.38, Rue DesTourelles, Hydra, Alger,Algeria 00.21.321.603854

00.49.304202359324 Germany Platanenallee 12a, 14050,Berlin-Westend, Germany 00.49.3042023794

n/a25 Venezuela Mamabiba Building,Tropical Rd., LaFloresta, Chacao dist.,Caracas, Venezuela

26 CzechRepublic

n/a

27 Belarus n/a

28 Spain n/a

29 Brunei n/a

113

APPENDIX 3:LIST OF MAJOR ACADEMIES, COLLEGES OF THE

VIETNAM PEOPLE’S ARMY

A. Ministerial Level

No. Name TraditionalDay

Contact Address

1 NationalDefenceAcademy

Jan. 03, 1977 No.93, Hoang QuocViet Rd., Hanoi

2 PoliticalAcademy

Oct. 25, 1951 Ngo Quyen Rd., HaDong, Hanoi

3 ArmyAcademy

Jul. 07, 1946 9th Ward, Dalat, LamDong

4 MilitaryTechnologyAcademy

Oct. 28, 1966 100, Hoang Quoc VietRd., Hanoi

5 LogisticsAcademy

Jun. 15, 1951 Ngoc Thuy Ward,Long Bien Dist., Hanoi

6 MedicalAcademy

Mar.10, 1949 Phung Hung Rd., HaDong, Hanoi

7 1st ArmyCollege

Apr. 15, 1945 Co Dong Commune,Son Tay, Hanoi

8 2nd ArmyCollege

Aug. 27, 1961 Tam Phuoc Commune,Long Thanh, Dong Nai

9 College ofPoliticalOfficers

Jan. 14, 1976 Bac Ninh Town, BacNinh

114

B. Service, Arm, General Department Levels


Contact Address

1 Academy ofMilitary Sciences

Jun. 10, 1957 No.322, Le Trong TanSt., Hoang Mai, Hanoi

2 Naval Academy Apr.26,1955 No.30, Tran Phu Rd.,Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa

3 Academy of AirDefence – AirForce

Jul.16, 1964 Kim Son Commune &Trung Son TramCommune, Son Tay,Hanoi

4 Academy ofBorder Guard

May 20, 1963 Son Loc Quarter, SonTay, Hanoi

5 College of ArmyCulture and Arts

Sept. 23, 1955 No. 100, Nguyen ChiThanh Rd., Dong Da,Hanoi

6 College of AirForce Officers

Aug. 20, 1959 Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa

7 College of Tank& AmourOfficers

Apr. 10,1973 Vinh Yen Rd., Tam DaoDist., Vinh Phuc

8 College of SignalsOfficers

Jul. 20, 1967 Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa

9 College ofEngineeringOfficers

Dec. 26, 1955 Thu Dau Mot Town,Binh Duong

10 College ofChemical DefenceOfficers

Sept. 21, 1976 Son Dong Commune,Son Tay Dist., Hanoi

11 College ofArtillery Officers

Feb. 18, 1957 Trung Son TramCommune, Son Tay,Hanoi

115


Contact Address

12 College of SpecialOperationOfficers

Jul. 20, 1967 Xuan Mai Town,Chuong My Dist., Hanoi

13 Vinhem PicTechnical JuniorCollege

May. 27, 1978 No.189, Nguyen Oanh,Go Vap, Ho Chi MinhCity

116

APPENDIX 4LIST OF MAJOR RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF THE

VIETNAM PEOPLE’S ARMY

No Name TraditionalDay

Contact Address

1 Institute for MilitaryStrategy

Jan. 11, 1990 No.3B, Hoang DieuSt., Hanoi

2 Institute for MilitaryScience and Technology

Oct. 12, 1060 No.17, Hoang SamSt., Hanoi

3 Institute for DefenceInternational Relations

Dec. 21, 2002 Nhan My, My Dinh,Tu Liem, Hanoi

4 Institute for MilitaryHistory

May 28, 1981 No.3B, Hoang DieuSt., Hanoi

5 Institute for MilitaryArt

Jan. 03, 1977 No.93, Hoang QuocViet Rd., Hanoi

6 Institute for MilitarySocial Sciences andHumanities

Dec. 21, 2002 Ngo Quyen, HaDong, Hanoi

117

APPENDIX 5: TRADITIONAL DAYS OF MAJOR UNITS

No Unit Traditional Day1 Vietnam People’s Army Dec. 12, 19442 General Staff Headquarters Set. 07, 19453 General Political Department Dec. 22, 19444 General Department of Logistics Jul. 11, 19505 General Department of Technology Sep. 10, 19746 General Department of Military Industry Sep. 15, 19457 General Department of Defence

IntelligenceOct. 25, 1945

8 Military Region 1 Oct. 16, 19459 Military Region 2 Oct. 19, 194610 Military Region 3 Oct. 31, 194511 Military Region 4 Oct. 15, 194512 Military Region 5 Oct. 16, 194513 Military Region 7 Dec. 10, 194514 Military Region 9 Dec. 10, 194516 Air Defence – Air Force Oct. 22, 196317 Navy May, 07, 195518 Border Guard Mar.03, 195919 Corps 1 Oct. 24, 197320 Corps 2 May 17, 197421 Corps 3 Mar.26, 197522 Corps 4 Jul. 20, 197423 Engineering Arm Mar. 25, 194624 Special Operation Arm Mar. 19, 194725 Chemical Arm Apr. 19, 195826 Artillery Arm Jun. 29, 194627 Tank-Amour Arm Oct. 05, 195928 Signals Arm Sep. 09, 194529 Foreign Relations Department May 28, 196430 Maritime Police Department Aug. 28, 1998

118

APPENDIX 6: LIST OF ECONOMIC-DEFENCE ZONES

No Name Location1 Mau Son Economic - Defence Zone Lang Son2 Bao Lac-Bao Lam Economic - Defence Zone Cao Bang3 Muong Cha Economic - Defence Zone Dien Bien4 Vi Xuyen Economic - Defence Zone Ha Gang5 Xin Man Economic - Defence Zone Ha Gang6 Bat Sat Economic - Defence Zone Lao Cai

Province7 Song Ma Economic - Defence Zone Son La8 Phong Tho Economic - Defence Zone Lai Chau9 Bac Hai Son Economic - Defence Zone Quang Ninh

10 Binh Lieu-Quang Ha-Mong CaiEconomic - Defence Zone

Quang Ninh

11 Khe Sanh Economic - Defence Zone Quang Tri12 Aso-Aluoi Economic - Defence Zone Thua Thien-

Hue13 Ky Son Economic - Defence Zone Nghe An14 Muong Lat Economic - Defence Zone Thanh Hoa15 Cumga Economic - Defence Zone Dak Lak16 Tay Giang Economic - Defence Zone Quang Nam17 Bu Gia Phuc-Bu Gia Map Economic -

Defence ZoneBinh Phuoc

18 Bac Lam Dong Economic - Defence Zone Lam Dong19 Tan Hong Economic - Defence Zone Dong Thap20 Quang Son Economic - Defence Zone Dak Lak21 Economic - Defence Zone of the 15th corps Gia Lai,

Kontum,Dak Lak

22 Economic - Defence Zone of the 16 th corps Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc

119

APPENDIX 7: LIST OF MAJOR DEFENCE GENERALCORPORATIONS

No Names TraditionalDay

Main Headquarters

1 Truong SonConstruction GeneralCorporation

May 19,1959

No. 475, Nguyen Trai,Thanh Xuan, Hanoi

2 NortheastGeneral Corporation

Dec. 24,1994

Hong Hai Ward, HaLong, Quang Ninh

3 Flight ServicesGeneral Corporation

Jun. 01,1989

No. 172, Truong ChinhRd., Dong Da, Hanoi

4 MilitaryTelecommunicationGeneral Corporation(Viettel)

Jun.01,1989

No. 1, Giang Van Minh,Ba Dinh, Hanoi

5 General CorporationNo.15

Feb. 20,1985

Yen The Ward, Pleiku,Gia Lai

6 Military Petrol GeneralCorporation

Sep. 30,1965

No 125, Nguyen PhongSac, Dich Vong, CauGiay, Hanoi

7 General Corporation No28

May 09,1975

No.3, Nguyen Oanh,10th Ward, Go VapDist.,Ho Chi Minh City

8 Thanh AnGeneral Corporation

Jun. 11,1982

No. 141, Ho Dac Di,Nam Dong, Dong Da,Hanoi

9 Tan CangGeneral Corporation

Mar. 15,1989

Dien Bien Phu Rd, 22thWard, Binh Thanh Dist,Ho Chi Minh City

10 Military Bank Nov. 04,1994

No. 3, Lieu Giai Rd.,Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

120

APPENDIX 8: AGREEMENTS ON BORDER ISSUES

1 Vietnam-China Agreement on Maritime BoundaryDemarcation of the Gulf of Tonkin

2 Vietnam-China Agreement on Fisher y Cooperation in theGulf of Tonkin

3 Vietnam-China Agreement on Land Border Demarcation

4 Vietnam-Lao Agreement on Land Border Demarcation

5 Vietnam-Cambodia Agreement on Land Bo rderDemarcation

6 Vietnam-Cambodia Agreement on Delimitation of theHistorical Waters

7 Vietnam-Thailand Agreement on Delimitat ion of theHistorical Sea Zone

8 Vietnam-Indonesia Agreement on Delimitation of theContinental Shelf

9 Vietnam-Malaysia Arrangement on Mutual Survey andExploitation of the Overlapping Zone

121

APPENDIX 9: MILITARY FLAG, MILITARY BADGE,INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS

III. RANK BADGEARMY AIR

DEFENCE-AIR FORCE

NAVY BORDERGUARD

MARITIMEPOLICE

1. Officera. General

Grade

General Sr. Lt.General

Vice Admiral LieutenantGeneral

MajorGeneral

b. Field-Officer Grade

Sr. Col. Colonel Commander Lt. Major Majorc. Company-Officer Grade

Sr.Capt.

Captain Lieutenant FirstLieutenant

SecondLieutenant

122

ARMY AIR DEFENCE-AIR FORCE

NAVY BORDERGUARD

MARITIME POLICE

2.Professionalwarrantofficer

Colonel LieutenantMajor

Lt.Commander

Captain WarrantOfficer

3. Non-commissionedofficer andsoldier

Majorsergeant

Sergeant Corporal Lance-Corporal

Private

4. Cadet

5. Non-commissionedstudent

IV. INSIGNIA1. Badge Platea. General Grade

Army AD - AF Navy Border Guard

b. Officer, non-Commissioned Officer and Enlisted Soldier

Army Air Defence-Air Force

Navy Border Guard MaritimePolice

123

2. Branch Insignia and Symbols

Joint Forces,Army

MechanizedInfantry

Artillery Engineering Tank-Amour SpecialOperations

Signals

ChemicalDefence

AirDefence –Air force

Radar Missile Air DefenceArtillery

Parachute Navy

Marine Force MaritimePolice

BorderGuard

Logistics-Finance

TechnicalBranch

MedicalService

MartialLaw

Driver MilitaryBand

Gymnastic and SportsTroupe

Song and Dance Troupe

136

APPENDIX 10EXCHANGE OF HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY DELEGATIONS

From 2005 to first six months of 20 09

INCOMING VISITTime Delegation

2005Jan. 28-29 Minister of Defence, LaosFeb. 23-25 Chief of General Staff, AlgeriaMar. 07-10 Commander in Chief, Cambodia Royal ArmyApr. 06-8 Minister of Defence, AustraliaApr. 20-25 Chief of General Staff, LaosApr. 18-21 Commander of Defence Forces, SingaporeApr.27-May 02 Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces, CubaMay 17-21 Chief of Staff of Armed Forces, the PhilippinesAug.31-Sept 02 Minister of Defence, LaosAug. 29-30 Minister of Defence, CambodiaSept. 19-20 Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces,

ThailandOct. 18-20 Minister of Defence, South AfricaOct. 22-29 Chief of General Staff, BelgiumDec. 20-23 Co-Minister of Defence, CambodiaFeb. 23-27 Air Commander, AustraliaMar. 21-25 Deputy Director of Security Agency, RussiaApr. 04-10 Chief of General Department of Logistics, LaosApr. 25-29 Chief of General Department of Defence

Intelligence, South AfricaJun. 01-03 Navy Commander, ThailandJun. 01-04 Director of Federal Bureau, RussiaJun. 07-09 Assistant Minister of Defence, USAJun. 20-Jul.01 Air Commander, CubaJul. 02-08 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosJul. 12-13 Army Commander, ThailandJul. 17-19 Air Commander, Malaysia

137

Time DelegationJul. 21-25 Delegation of Bureau of Central Military

Commission, ChinaAug. 01-05 Army Commander, CambodiaAug. 02-06 Governmental Special Section, LaosSep. 26-30 Delegation of Governmental Special Section,

CambodiaOct. 16-20 Deputy Chief of General Political Department ,

the People’s Army of LaosOct.30-Nov.2 Chief of General Department of Police, CambodiaNov. 14-19 Deputy Minister of National Defence, BruneiNov. 28-30 Chairman of Ukrainian Subcommittee, Inter -

Governmental CommitteeDec. 04-07 Chairman of Russian Subcommittee, Inter -

Governmental Committee2006

Feb. 06-09 Minister of Defence , LaosApr. 06-10 Minister of Defence, PRCMay 15-18 Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, the

PhilippinesMay 30-Jun.02 Minister of Defence, Republic of KoreaJun. 04-06 Secretary of Defence, USAJun. 07-11 Chief of General Political Department , LaosJun. 12-17 Chief of General Staff, Republic of South AfricaSep. 10-12 Minister of Defence, LaosDec. 20-24 Commander of Armed Forces, MalaysiaJan. 05-07 Chief of General Department of Intelligence,

RussiaFeb. 08-10 Commander of Army, SingaporeFeb. 15-16 Commander of Royal Air Force, ThailandMar. 07-10 Chief of General Department of Intelligence,

ROKMar. 14-17 Chairman of Ukrainian SubcommitteeMar. 14-19 Chief of Staff of Air Force, France

138

Time DelegationMar. 28-31 Commander of Military Region I, CambodiaMay 02-06 Chief of Staff of Army, RussiaMay 02-07 Committee on Defence Industrial and Logistical

Cooperation, Republic of KoreaMay 03-06 Navy Commander, MalaysiaMay 18-24 General Department of Military Medicine, RussiaMay 20-26 Chief of General Department of Materials,

AngolaMay 23-26 Director of Intelligence Agency, the PhilippinesMay 26-28 Deputy Minister of Defence , LaosJun. 22-26 General Department of Military International

Cooperation, RussiaJul. 13-16 Commander of the Pacific Command, USAJul. 14-17 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosAug. 02-05 Navy Commander, Republic of KoreaAug. 06-12 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosAug. 07-10 Commander of Navy, ThailandAug. 16-22 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosAug. 24-28 Army Commander, MalaysiaSep. 10-17 Delegation of Ministry of Emergency, RussiaOct. 12-14 Deputy Minister of Defence, IndiaOct. 13-17 Army Commander, AustraliaDec. 03-08 Chengdu Military Region, ChinaDec. 06-07 Army Commander, ThailandDec. 20-24 Commander of Armed Forces, Malaysia

2007Jan. 04-05 Supreme Commander of Thai Royal Armed

ForcesMay 02-08 Chief of General Staff, LaosMay 30-Jun.06 Chief of General Staff, PRCJul. 02-06 Chief of General Staff, MozambiqueAug. 18-24 Chief of General Staff, SudanSep. 24-29 Minister of Defence, Singapore

139

Time DelegationSep.30-Oct.10 Minister of Defence , BulgariaOct. 15-21 Commander-in-Chief of Royal Armed Forces,

CambodiaNov. 15-19 Chief of General Political Department , PRCMar. 04-07 Army Chief of Staff, JapanApr. 02-04 Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence,

SingaporeApr. 19-23 Commander, Guangxi Military Region, PRCJun 10-13 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosJun. 10-15 Secretary, Ministry of National Defence ,

CambodiaJun. 15-18 General Department of Intelligence, ThailandAug. 12-14 Air Commander, IndonesiaSep. 10-13 Navy Commander, AustraliaSep. 10-16 Governmental Special Section, LaosSep. 11-12 Army Commander, ThailandSep. 23-29 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosSep. 24-30 Deputy Minister of Defence , LaosSep. 24-30 Head of Central Military Procuracy, HungaryOct. 22-26 Governmental Special Committee, CambodiaNov. 07-10 Commander of Defence Intelligence, South

AfricaNov. 14-17 Navy Commander, the PhilippinesNov. 13-18 Air Commander, New ZealandNov. 08-13 Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence, USANov. 28-30 Deputy Chief of General Staff, LaosDec. 03-07 Chairman of Russia-Vietnam Cooperation

SubcommitteeDec. 06-07 Chief of General Department of Intelligence,

RussiaDec. 06-08 General Secretary of Defence, Ital yDec.10-14 Chairman of Ukraine -Vietnam Cooperation

Subcommittee

140

Time DelegationDec. 12-13 Commander of the Pacific Command, USADec. 18-20 Army Commander, ThailandDec. 18-22 Chairman of Belarus - Vietnam Cooperation

Subcommittee2008

Feb. 17-20 Minister of Defence, LaosFeb. 26-29 Chairman of Committee of Chief of Staff, IndiaMar. 24-26 Minister of Defence, CambodiaApr. 2-4 Commander of Defence Forces, SingaporeMay 12-18 Chief of General Political Department , LaosJul. 7-8 Supreme Commander of Thai Royal ArmyAug. 6-9 Commander of Defence Forces , New ZealandNov. 6-7 Minister of Defence, PolandNov. 9-13 Chief of General Staff, BulgariaNov. 18-22 Chief of General Staff, BelarusNov. 30-Dec. 5 Secretary General of Defence, AlgeriaDec. 23-26 Minister of Defence, PakistanJan. 14-17 Division 2, Division 3 and provinces of Northern

LaosJan. 20-22 Army Commander, the PhilippinesJan. 23-30 Subcommittee of Belarusian Inter-Governmental

CommitteeMar. 2-12 Subcommittee of Russian Inter-Governmental

CommitteeMar. 9-13 Air Commander, SingaporeApr. 21-23 Air Commander, ThailandMay 18-21 Commander of 13 th Air Corps, USAMay 27-29 Director of Defence Intelligence, SingaporeJun. 25-28 Navy Commander, ThailandAug. 20-21 Army Commander, ThailandJul. 27- Aug. 2 Deputy Director of Russian Federal AgencySep. 7-12 Army Chief of Staff, RwandaJul. 10-13 General Department of Intelligence, R OK

141

Time DelegationOct. 6-12 Commander of Air Force, CambodiaOct. 6-8 Commander of Army, SingaporeOct. 9-11 Deputy Minister of National Defence , India in

Security DialogueOct. 20-24 Commander of Special Military Region,

CambodiaNov. 2-6 Deputy Chief of General Political Department ,

ChinaDec. 7-12 Command of Army, CambodiaDec. 14-18 Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of Air Force,

RussiaFirst 6 months of 2009

Feb. 19-21 Supreme Commander of Thai Royal ArmyMar. 8-12 Commander in Chief of Cambodian Royal ArmyMar. 20-24 Chief of General Staff, ChinaFeb. 12-14 Commander of Navy, ThailandFeb. 15-17 Deputy Chief of General Staff, China (in transit)Feb. 23-26 Army Training Command, IndiaFeb. 24-26 Navy Commander, MalaysiaMar. 8-13 Commander of Pacific Fleet, USAMar. 16-18 General Department of Logistics, IndiaMar. 17-21 Navy Commander, CambodiaMar. 23-25 Navy Commander, IndonesiaApr. 28 –May 1

First Deputy Chief of General Political Department,PDRK Army

Apr. 7-11 Commander of Eastern Navy, IndiaApr. 13-15 Navy Commander, SingaporeMay 26-29 Minister of National Defence, BelarusMay 11-15 Chief of General Staff, LaosMay 5-6 Deputy Minister of Defence, JapanMay Army Command, Russian Armed ForcesMay 13-17 Secretary of Defence, New ZealandMay 14-25 Russian and Ukrainian Veterans in Vietnam War

142

Time DelegationMay 21-24 Chairman of Russian Subcommittee, Russia -

Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee onMilitary Technical Cooperation

May 23-31 Director of Defence Legal Agency, South AfricaJun. 17-29 Belarusian Veterans in Vietnam WarJun. 15-19 Secretary, Ministry of National Defence ,

CambodiaJun. 10-13 Pacific Air Commander, USAJun. 8-12 Minister of Defence, LaosJun. 8-12 Chief of General Department of Logistics, LaosJun. 18-24 Chief of General Department of Logistics, Laos

and his familyJun. 20-27 Army Commander, Cambodia

OUTGOING VISITTime Delegation

2005

Mar. 2-7 Minister of National Defence to Laos and IndiaApr. 3-10 Chief of General Staff to Myanmar and the

PhilippinesMay 10-14 Chief of General Political Department to LaosOct. 25-28 Minister of National Defence to PRCJan. 16-19 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended ASEAN

Chief of General Staff Meeting in MalaysiaMar. 20-25 Commander of the 7 th Military Region to

CambodiaMar. 25-30 Commander of the 5 th Military Region to

CambodiaMar. 24- Apr. 7 Navy Commander to Russia and PolandApr. 10-15 Deputy Chief of General Staff to PRCApr. 4 – May 1 Deputy Minister of National Defence

accompanied Prime Minister to Australia andNew Zealand

143

Time DelegationMay 3-10 Deputy Minister of National Defence to

CambodiaMay 17-20 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended

the ARF Security Policy Meeting in Vientiane,Laos

May 15-21 Deputy Chief of General Staff to RussiaJun. 19-29 Deputy Minister of National Defence

accompanied Prime Minister to the USA andCanada

Jun. 12-18 Commander of the 4th Military Region to LaosJun. 19-27 President of National Defence Academy to the

UKJul. 25-29 Commander of Border Guard to CambodiaJul. 3-14 Deputy Chief of General Staff to the UK and

HungaryJul. 31 – Aug.5

Deputy Chief of General Staff attend ed thePacific Army Commander Meeting in Thailand

Sep. 5-14 Deputy Chief of General Staff to SwedenSep. 7-12 Deputy Chief of General Staff to IndiaSep. 25-30 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the

ASEAN Army Commander Meeting in BruneiSep. 4-10 General Director of the General Department of

Defence Intelligence to the Philippines andIndonesia

Oct. 10-13 Navy Commander to the PhilippinesOct. 18-22 Commander of the 9 th Military Region to

CambodiaNov. 14-20 Deputy Minister of National Defence to FranceNov. 10-12 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended ASEAN

Defence Force Commander Meeting in thePhilippines

Nov. 14-25 Chief of General Political Department to PRCDec. 10-16 Navy Commander to France and Italy

144

Time Delegation2006

Jan. 2-9 Commander of the 7 th Military Region toCambodia

Jan.9-13 Navy Commander to CambodiaJan. 12-14 Commander of the 7 th Military Region to

CambodiaFeb. 13-19 Chief of General Political Department to IndiaMar. 8-11 Minister of National Defence to MalaysiaMay 7-13 Minister of National Defence to South AfricaSep. 24-30 Chief of General Staff to Laos and CambodiaOct. 15-22 Chief of General Political Department to PRCNov.27-Dec. 7 Chief of General Political Department to CubaMay 8-10 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the

1st ADMM in MalaysiaApr. 16-May 1 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the

ARF Security Meeting in MalaysiaFeb. 13-20 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Southern Laos

(1)Mar. 2-10 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Southern Laos

(2)Mar. 21-27 Commander of Air Defence-Air Force to UkraineJun. 3-7 Commander of the 9 th Military Region to

CambodiaJun. 5-10 General Director of the General Department Of

Defence Intelligence to UkraineJun. 11-21 Deputy Chief of General Staff to SwedenJun. 6 – Jul. 3 Chief of General Department of Defence Industry

to France and some European countriesJul. 2-9 Deputy Minister to AustriaAug. 8-12 Commander of Capital Military Region to LaosSep. 26-Oct.8 Vice Chairman of National Committee of Search

and Rescue to the USAOct. 17-2? Deputy Chief of General Staff to the Republic of

Korea

145

Time DelegationOct. 21-5? General Director of the General Department of

Defence Intelligence to RussiaOct. 11-19 Chief of General Department of Defence Industry

to South AfricaOct. 28 – Nov.3

Navy Commander attended the West Pacific NavyCommander Meeting

Nov. 13-5? Deputy Chief of General Staff attended Asia -Pacific Defence Force Commander Meeting inMalaysia

Nov. 20-4? Commander of Air Defence-Air Force attended theAir Commander Meeting in Indonesia

Nov. 28-? Deputy Minister of National Defence to LaosNov.30-Dec. 3 Deputy Chief of General Staff to ThailandNov. 24 –Dec. 12

Deputy Minister of National Defence to three CIScountries

Dec. 14-15 Deputy Chief of General Political Department toMalaysia

Dec. 16-18 Commander of the 7 th Military Region toCambodia

Dec. 26-30 Deputy Chief of General Political Departmentattended the Governmental Special Section in Laos

2007

Mar. 12-19 Minister of National Defence to Laos andCambodia

Mar. 23-25 Minister of National Defence attended theADMM in Indonesia

May 27-31 Chief of General Political Department to LaosJun. 16-24 Chief of General Staff to Russia and BelarusAug. 26-31 Minister of National Defence to PRCOct. 7-20 Chief of General Political Department to South

Africa and AlgeriaNov. 11-15 Minister of National Defence to Singapore and

attended the ADMM

146

Time DelegationJan. 22-26 Deputy Chief of General Political Department to

CambodiaJan. 9-13 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Laos (1)Feb. 2-11 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Laos (2)Mar.10-23 Deputy Minister of National Defence to Australia,

New Zealand and BruneiMay 11-19 Commander of the 7 th Military Region to

CambodiaMay 22-30 Commander of the 5 th Military Region to Laos and

CambodiaApr. 24-29 Leaders of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th and Capital Military

Regions to PRCMay 16-22 Commander of the 5 th Military Region to LaosMay 23-25 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the

ARF Security Policy Meeting in the PhilippinesMay 31 – Jun.4

Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the 6 th

Shangri-La Dialogue in SingaporeJun. 11-15 Commander of the 7 th Military Region to Republic

of KoreaJul. 18-26 Deputy Chief of General Political Department to

RussiaAug. 1-3 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the

ASEAN Chief of General Staff Meeting inSingapore

Aug. 5-10 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the 5 th

Pacific Army Commander Meeting in AustraliaAug. 18-26 Deputy Chief of General Staff to RussiaAug. 24 – Sep.6

Chief of General Department of Defence Industryto Russia and Israel

Oct. 17-20 Deputy Minister of National Defence attendedADSOM in Singapore

Oct. 30 – Nov.2

Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the Asia-Pacific Defence Leader Meeting in Hawaii, USA

Oct. 29-Nov. 2 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Cambodia

147

Time DelegationOct. 7-11 President of National Defence Academy attended

the ARF Defence Academy President Meeting inAustralia

Nov. 1-5 Deputy Minister of National Defence toCambodia

Nov. 17-21 Deputy Minister of National Defence to LaosNov. 19-25 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Thailand and

attended the ASEAN Army Commander MeetingNov. 20-25 Commander of the 4 th Military Region to Laos (1)Nov. 20 –Dec. 12

Commander of the 4 th Military Region to Laos (2)

Nov. 27 –Dec. 2

Deputy Minister of National Defence attended theSecurity Dialogue in India

Nov. 30 –Dec. 4

Deputy Chief of General Staff to Thailand

2008Jan. 6-10 Chief of General Staff and the 2 nd Military Region

to LaosMay 28 – Jun.1

Chief of General Political Department toCambodia

Jun. 25 – Jul 6 Chief of General Political Department to Russiaand Belarus

Aug. 10-16 Minister of National Defence to Myanmar andMalaysia

Jul. 31 – Aug.3

Chief of General Staff attended the Defence ForceCommander Meeting in Thailand

Sep. 21-28 Chief of General Political Department to PeopleDemocratic Republic of Korea

Sep. 20 – Oct.2

Minister of National Defence to Russia andBelarus

Nov. 30 –Dec. 5

Chief of General Staff to PRC

Jan. 6-12 Navy Commander to Thailand and MalaysiaJan. 22-26 Navy Commander to Republic of Korea

148

Time DelegationJan. 22-26 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the

Inter-Governmental Committee of BilateralDirection in PRC

Apr. 21-28 Deputy Minister of National Defence to AustriaApr. 24-29 President of National Defence Academy to LaosApr. 22 – May4

General Department of Defence Intelligence toNicaragua and Chile

May 13-24 President of National Defence Academy to FranceMay 20-31 Deputy Minister of National Defence to

Switzerland and FinlandMay 31 – Jun.6

General Department of Defence Intelligence toVenezuela

May 30 – Jun.2

Commissar of Air Defence-Air Force Serviceattended the 50 th anniversary of Malaysia AirForce

Jun. 21-28 The Central Military Procuracy to RussiaJul. 14-18 Capital Military Region to LaosAug. 2-8 Deputy Minister of National Defence to CubaAug. 17-25 Presiding Judge of the Central Military Court to

South AfricaSep. 18-25 Commander of the 2nd Military Region to LaosSep. 23-26 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended an exercise

in PRCSep. 24-29 Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the

10th meeting of the Inter-Governmental CommitteeOct. 12-14 Deputy Chief of General Staff accompanied Prime

Minister to AustraliaNov. 10-12 7th and 9th Military Regions and the Border Guard

Command to CambodiaNov. 25-26 Deputy Minister of National Defence

accompanied Prime Minister to LaosFirst six months of 2009

Feb. 18-27 Minister of National Defence to Laos, Cambodia,Thailand and attended the 3 rd ADMM

149

Time DelegationMar. 30 – Apr.3

Chief of General Political Department to Laos

Feb. 10-14 Commissar of Air Defence-Air Force Service toIndia

Feb. 15-20 Deputy Chief of General Political Department andthe Governmental Special Section to Laos

Feb. 21-28 General Director of the 2nd General Department toSouth Africa

Feb. 22-25 Commander of the 9 th Military Region toCambodia

Feb. 21 – May1

Deputy Minister of National Defence to Ukraineand Republic of Korea

Mar. 11-17 Navy Commander to Singapore and IndiaMay 30 – Apr.3

Commander of the 5 th Military Region toCambodia

Apr. 12-25 Deputy Minister of National Defence to Norway,Ireland and Turkey

Apr. 7-12 Deputy Minister of National Defence to PRCApr. 19-21 Deputy Minister of National Defence to

CambodiaApr. 20-23 Navy Commander attended the 60 th anniversary of

China NavyApr. 7-11 Commander of Border Guard to Cambo diaMay 28 – Jun.1

Minister of National Defence attended the 8 th

Shangri-La DialogueMay 4-11 Deputy Chief of General Staff to Italy and AustriaMay 6-12 General Director of the General Department Of

Defence Intelligence to Japan and Republic ofKorea

May 17-20 Deputy Chief of General Staff attended the ARFMOD and ASPC

May 31 – Jun.6

Standing Deputy Chairman of the NationalCommittee of Search and Rescue to the USA

150

Time DelegationJun. 21-27 Chief of General Staff to Malaysia and IndonesiaJun. 12-20 Deputy Chief of General Political Department to

GermanyJun. 13-23 Commissar of Air Defence-Air Force Service to

France and SpainJun. 25 – Jul.3

Standing Deputy Chairman of the NationalCommittee of Search and Rescue to France

Jun. 29 – Jul.3

Commander of the 5 th Military Region to Laos

151

APPENDIX 11 FRIENDLY PORT CALLS BY FOREIGN MILITARY

VESSELS

FOREIGN NAVY VESSELS TO VIETNAMTime Delegation

2005Mar. 29 –Apr. 2

US Navy vessel and 223 crew to Ho Chi Minh City

May. 10-13 2 Thai Navy vessels and 247 crew to Ho Chi MinhCity

Jun. 9-13 Indian Navy vessel and 215 crew to Ho Chi MinhCity

Aug. 15-17 3 Malaysian Navy vessels and 435 crew to Ho ChiMinh City

Nov. 5-7 Indian Navy vessel to Da NangNov. 22-26 French Navy vessel to Da NangNov. 27 –Dec. 2

5 Russian Navy vessels to Da Nang

2006Jun. 8-11 Indian Navy vessel to Da NangJul. 1-6 2 US Navy vessels to Ho Chi Minh CityAug. 26-30 2 New Zealand Navy vessels to Ho Chi Minh CitySep. 9-12 Indonesian Navy vessel to Hai PhongSep. 28 –Oct. 3

Australian Navy vessel to Da Nang

Sep. 25-29 French Navy vessel to Hai PhongOct. 21-26 UK Navy Geological Survey vessel to Ho Chi Minh

City2007

Feb. 5-10 French Navy vessel to Hai PhongMar. 18-21 2 Malaysia Navy vessels to Ho Chi Mi nh CityApr. 11-16 Australian Navy vessel to Da NangApr. 11-15 2 Thai Navy training vessels and 228 crew to Ho

Chi Minh City

152

Time DelegationMay 15-25 2 Indian Navy vessels and 910 crew to Hai PhongJun. 26-29 Pakistani Navy vessel and 702 crew to Ho Chi Minh

CityJul. 15-25 US Navy Peleliu Hospital vessel to Da NangAug. 8-13 Singaporean Navy vessel and 250 crew to Ho Chi

Minh CitySep. 9-11 Republic of Korean Navy vessel and 610 crew to

Ho Chi Minh CityOct. 17-20 US Navy Bruce Heeze vessel to Da NangNov. 14-18 2 US Navy vessels to Hai PhongDec. 14-15 Philippines Navy vessel and 130 crew to Ho Chi

Minh City2008

Mar. 3-7 3 Japanese Navy vessels and 900 crew to Ho ChiMinh City

Apr. 17-21 Indian Navy vessel and 300 crew to Hai PhongApr. 23-26 Thai Navy vessel and 300 crew to Ho Chi Minh CityJun. 30 – Jul. 4 French Navy VAR vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityJun. 4-8 Canadian Navy Regina vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityJun. 19-29 US Navy Mercy Hospital vessel to Khanh HoaAug. 25-29 Australian Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh CitySep. 15-18 Singaporean Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityOct. 18-21 US Navy vessel to Da NangOct. 31 –Nov. 5

South African Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh City

Nov. 18-22 Chinese Navy training vessel to Da NangDec. 14-16 Republic of Korean Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh

CityFirst 6 months of 2009

Apr. 9-12 2 Indian Navy vessels to Hai PhongApr. 10-14 Singaporean Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityMay 1-5 Brazilian Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityMay 19-24 French Navy vessel to Da Nang

153

Time DelegationJun. 16-19 Thai Navy vessel to Ho Chi Minh CityJun. 19-23 4 Russian Navy vessels to Da NangJun. 23-25 US Navy Heezen vessel to Da Nang

VIETNAM NAVY VESSEL’S OUTGOING VISITJul. 3-6 2 Navy vessels and 98 crew to Sattahip Por t,

ThailandJun. 24-27 2 Navy vessels and 104 crew to Zhanjiang Port,

PRC

154

CONTENTS

FOREWORD 7Part One SECURITY SITUATION ANDNATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY

11

1. SECURITY SITUATION 131.1. The World and Regional Situation 131.2. Vietnam 162. NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY 182.1. Fundamental Issues of the National Defence Policy 182.2. Foreign Relations and Defence Cooperation 23

Part Two BUILDING THE NATIONAL DEFENCE 311. BUILDING THE NATIONAL DEFENCE

POTENTIAL34

1.1. Building Political-Spiritual Potential 341.2. Building Economic Potential 361.3. Building Scientific and Technological Potential 391.4. Building Military Potential 412. BUILDING DEFENCE FORCES 443. BUILDING NATIONAL DEFENCE POSTURE 454. THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF

NATIONAL DEFENCE48

4.1. The Leadership Role of the Communist Party ofVietnam over VPA and the National Defence

48

4.2. State Management of National Defence 514.3. Directions to Enhance the Leadership and Man agement

in National Defence58

Part Three BUILDING THE PEOPLE’S ARMYAND THE MILITIA AND SELF-DEFENCEFORCE

61

1. ORGANIZATION OF VPA AND THE MILITIAAND SELF-DEFENCE FORCE

63

1.1. Vietnam People’s Army 631.2. The Militia and Self-Defence Force 84

155

2. GUIDELINES FOR THE BUILDING OF VPA ANDTHE MILITIA AND SELF-DEFENCE FORCE

90

2.1. The Building of the Vietnam People’s Army 902.2. Building the Militia and Self-Defence Force 100

CONCLUSION 103APPENDICES 107

Appendix 1: Organization and Structure of the Ministry ofNational Defence of Vietnam

109

Appendix 2: List of Vietnam’s National Defence Attach éOffices

110

Appendix 3: List of Major Academies, Colleges of theVietnam People’s Army

113

Appendix 4: List of Major Research Institutes of the VietnamPeople’s Army

116

Appendix 5: Traditional Days of Major Units 117Appendix 6: List of Economic-Defence Zones 118Appendix 7: List of Major Defence General Corporations 119Appendix 8: List of major Agreements on Bordering Issues 120Appendix 9: Military Flag, Military Badge, Insignia,

Uniforms121

Appendix 10: Exchange of High -Level Military Delegations 136Appendix 11: Friendly Port Calls by Military Vessels 151

156

NHÀ XUẤT BẢN THẾ GIỚI46 Trần Hưng Đạo, Hà Nội, Việt Nam

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