Vietnam Defence White Paper 2009

8/9/2019 Vietnam Defence White Paper 2009

1/156


2/156


3/156


4/156


5/156

PRESIDENT HO CHI MINHTHE FOUNDER, LEADER AND ORGANIZER OF

THE VIETNAM PEOPLES ARMY

(Photo taken at

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


6/156


7/156

The year of 2009 marks the 65th anniversary of thefoundation of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) , an army

from 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 peoples 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 wealthy

people, a powerful country, and an equitable, democraticand civilized society.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party ofVietnam (CPV), the countrys comprehensive renovationhas gained significant historical achievements. Despite alldifficulties caused by the global financial crisis, naturaldisasters and internal economic weaknesses, the countrys

socio-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


8/156

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 further

exert 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 of

safeguarding the Homeland under new conditions.Adjusting the VPAs 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 and

States 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,


9/156

sustainable, mutually-confident international relations thatcontribute to the successful implementation of the Party andStates 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 Vietnams 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 and

Self-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


10/156


11/156


12/156


13/156

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 affecting

peace and security of all nations.The world situation has changed rapidly and

unpredictably. The re-allocation of military and economicpower worldwide has profoundly changed the worldspolitical 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 worlds economicrecession arising from financial crisis has seriously impacted


14/156

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 international

community 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 of

arms 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 the

world 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


15/156

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 in land and at

sea 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 conflicts still remain. Theglobal economic recession has heavily affec ted the regionaleconomy, worsening the domestic unstable situation in

some 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 and

many 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 framework


16/156

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 of

peace, stability and development have been strengthened.On the basic principles of volunteering, consensus andnon-interference in each others 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 of

renovation, openness and international economicintegration, Vietnam has recorded many achievements ofhistoric significance in politics, 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


17/156

in improving the national security environment. Vietnamhas actively participated in the process of negotia ting andsigning international conventions and agreementsregarding national sovereignty on land and at sea. For thefirst time in history, the land border of Vietnam has been

basically 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 in

the 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.Vietnams economy has been in danger of further lagging

behind 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


18/156

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 to

concern 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


19/156

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.

Vietnams 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 Vietnams undeniable sovereignty overwater areas and islands in the East Sea, including the

Paracels 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


20/156

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 the

great 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 peoples security

forces and posture. Vietnam has established a policy toconcurrently develop both its socio-economic and defencecapabilities and closely coordinate defence-security and

diplomatic activities to support the cause ofindustrialization and modernization, and rapid andsustainable economic development. To protect Vietnams

independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity andother national interests as the region and world situationfaces many changes, Vietnam builds its all-peoplenational defence upon the whole nations 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 Vietnams nationaldefence in peacetime in order to realize the optimal nationaldefence strategy of protecting its sovereignty, unity,


21/156

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,Vietnams national defence takes combined measures tomaintain internal stability while preventing the risks ofoutside intervention.

Vietnams national defence is always closely linked tothe CPV and the States 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 peoplesand governments of other countries, laying the firmfoundation for expanding cooperation, resolving differencesin order to prevent and repulse the dangers of armed

conflicts, 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


22/156

other countries. At the same time, Vietnam attaches greatimportance to developing defence ties with all othercountries on the basis of respect for each others

independence, sovereignty and mutual benefit. Vietnamhighly values defence cooperation with neighbouring

countries, 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 of

relations 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 s

endeavours 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


23/156

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 region

through dialogue, peaceful negotiation, and withoutresorting to force or the threat to use force.

2.2. Foreign Relations and Defence Cooperation

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 States 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 national

defence and security, safeguarding the Homeland, andmaking contributions to the maintenance of regional andworld peace and security.

In an increasingly interdependent world, Vietnams

security is inseparable from the worlds security in general

and regional security in particular. Defence cooperation isone of the most important factors for maintaining peace and


24/156

stability in the region and the world as well, and it is also animportant factor for achieving Vietnams 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 cooperation. 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, confidence

building, and conflict prevention.Vietnam wishes to widen bilateral defence relations with

all countries. The priorities in Vietnams defence relations

with 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 defence

attach offices in 31 countries. Forty-two countries haveopened their defence attach 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


25/156

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 others viewpoints, creating the opportunity for

solving 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 ofVietnams 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 Nang and Ho ChiMinh City. In 2008, for the first time, Vietnam sent nav alvessels abroad for friendly visits.

Due to historical, geographical conditions and deeper

economic integration into the region and the world, many ofVietnams 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


26/156

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 border

landmarks with Laos. Vietnam intensified the co-ordinationin patrolling and controlling border areas betweenVietnams 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 border

of peace and friendship. Vietnam has strived to solve themaritime boundary issues, and to expand cooperation withother countries to ensure maritime security. Vietnams Navy

has 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 betweenVietnams General Department of Defence Intelligence and

other 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


27/156

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

As a UN official member since 1977, Vietnam has

strictly 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 the

United Nations Charter.Vietnam greatly appreciates the role of the UN and

regards 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. Vietnams 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.


28/156

Prompted by the policy of proactively supporting andcontributing to the common efforts of the internationalcommunity for peace, security and disarmament, Vietnamactively participates in international efforts to prevent andrepulse dangers of wars as well as to overcome the

consequences 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 the

international 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


29/156

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 of

other countries to prevent, cope with and settle the relatednon-traditional security issues. Vietnams 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 of

defence 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 others internal affairs, notchanging the ASEAN Community into a military alliance ormutual defence bloc, and other fundamental principles ofthe ASEAN Charter. Vietnam greatly appreciates and

actively 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, Vietnams Ministry of National Defence hasproactively taken part in multilateral defence cooperationmechanisms with ASEAN countries by participating inASEAN defence meetings at all levels, exchanging


30/156

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. Vietnams 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.


31/156


32/156


33/156

Vietnams national defence is the all -people nationaldefence which comprises the full spectrum of the State andpeoples political, economic, diplomatic, military, cultural

and scientific activities that contribute to the build-up of asynchronized, balanced and comprehensive power of the

nation of which the military power is of the essence and thearmed forces being the key element in order to maintainthe countrys 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 of

Vietnams 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 of

renovation; 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 readily defeat all types ofaggressive wars under any circumstances. The all -people


34/156

national defence is built in the direction of all-people participation, comprehensiveness, self-mastery, self-

reliance and gradual modernization.

Building the powerful all-people national defence

includes 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 , and

military 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 for

implementing 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 Vietnamsnational 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-


35/156

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 of

people 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 thepeoples 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 the

young 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 peoples great solidarity and strictlyimplementing the State of Vietnams policy of religiousfreedom, and racial equality. The State of Vietnam

consistently 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


36/156

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 policy

prioritizes 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 an

equitable, democratic, and civilized society.

1.2. Building Economic Potential

Economic potential is the potentiality in the economicfield (including the defence-economic sector), that could bemobilized for socio-economic development, strengtheningnational defence or conducting a defensive war. Theeconomic potential is also a material foundation for other

potential 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


37/156

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, Vietnams 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 Trade

Organization (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 strives for the goal of becoming amodernized industrial country by 2020.


38/156

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 has

created 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.


39/156

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 improve

defence 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 thepeoples 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 thesocietys immediate and long -term duties as well as to dealwith national defence situations. The scientific andtechnological potential is a factor that plays an ever more

important 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


40/156

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 of

the all-peoples national defence is closely linked with the

development of science and technology of the country. TheState of Vietnam regards the investment in developingscience and technology as the foundation 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 s

special 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 of

international cooperation to absorb advanced technologiessuitable for Vietnams 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 Vietnams military science, technique and arts, to


41/156

focus on finding technical and tactical solutions foreffectively dealing with high-tech wars. Vietnam attachesimportance to continuing and bringing into full play the artsof peoples war at strategic, operational and tactical levels,

meeting the requirements of modern wars to make the most

of weaponry and manpower against aggressive wars.Vietnam develops the military science and technology tomeet the immediate requirements of equipment andweapons for the peoples 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 all

internal and external scientific potentialities for building theall-peoples 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 duties

in both peacetime and wartime. Military potential is the coreelement of the national defence potential 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.


42/156

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 peoples 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 potential

partly 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


43/156

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 Peoples Army as a

special labour sector assigned to duties of defending the

country. 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 industrialization andmodernization of the country. Achievements ineconomics, science, technology, culture and ideology arethe foundation to build the armed forces, develop the

military 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.


44/156

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 peoples

armed forces are the core.Building the defence forces is first and foremost the

building 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 is

the nucleus of the defence forces, playing the decisive rolein the mobilization and enhancement of the nations defencemight. In the political system, the building, 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 of

political stability, public order and safety.The building of defence forces must be

institutionalized by a system of laws and statutorydocuments 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.


45/156

The task of building comprehensively powerfulpeoples armed forces is crucial to the building of thedefence forces. The VPA and the Peoples Public Securityare made revolutionary, regular, seasoned, and graduallymodern to truly play the key role in the defence forces. The

Militia 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 the

organization 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 ofpeoples war once war occurs.

The posture of the all-people national defence is built

in 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


46/156

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 with

the 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 enemies

from 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.


47/156

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 closely

combined 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, sea

and island environments.

Strategic rear areas, strategic rear bases, and logisticbases of each zone and direction are established to guaranteethe peoples activities and the armed forces operations in

case 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 closelylinked to the building of the peoples security posture to

form 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 defence zone,the disposition and deployment of forces are contemplated


48/156

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 of

the entire political system in defence activities.The CPV exercises the absolute, direct and all-round

leadership over the VPA in order to make the VPA strongpolitically, ideologically and organizationally. The Partys

leadership 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


49/156

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, Partys leadershipmechanisms over the VPA. It is CMPCs responsibility to

coordinate and instruct its immediate subordinate executivecommittees in the implementation of the Partys resolutions

and 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 Partys leadership over the army.

The CMPC performs the collective decision-making onmajor issues such as policies, programmes, plans of actionfor the implementation of the Partys directives and

resolutions, 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.


50/156

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 the

CPV 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 and

inspects 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


51/156

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 units 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 States

national defence management consist of promulgating asystem of statutory documents on national defence, signing

international 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 fundamental

domestic and foreign policies, the countrys 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 theStates national defence activities. Since 2005 the National

Assembly has passed a number of laws concerning the


52/156

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 Peoples 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 peoples 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 ofthe peoples 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


53/156

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, and

inspect 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 building provincesand cities into defence zones firm in politics, wealthy ineconomics, strong in national defence and security, whichare the sound foundations for the all-people national

defence. 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 on

national 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


54/156

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 the

commission 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 defence. TheGeneral Staff organizes and directs the development of thearmy and the Militia and Self-Defence Force while also

commanding 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 latters absence. The

General Chief of Staff directs offices and units directly

under 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 peoples committees at all levels to implement legal

regulations on national defence; and inspects and urgesVPA units to abide by the State laws and the orders of theMinister of National Defence.


55/156

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, Party

organizations, 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 and

the 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 leading

organ 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 military ordnance,


56/156

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 charge

of 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. The

General 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 armys military intelligence and reconnaissance networkin terms of professional intelligence.


57/156

The Maritime Police Department under the Ministry ofNational Defence is the States 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 or

participated 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 Vietnams waters. All

activities 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 disaster relief.

The Foreign Relations Department, under the Ministryof National Defence, is the State management organ on the

VPAs 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 attachs,


58/156

diplomatic representatives, international and regionalorganizations in Vietnam.

The Office of the Ministry of National Defenceconcurrently the CMPC Office and other organizations play

the 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 Partys leadership in national defence is

aimed at meeting the requirements of defending theHomeland under new conditions. The Partys organizational

structure 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 more

clearly defined and perfected.Administrative reform, aimed at making the work of

the 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


59/156

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 continues

to 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 defence

between the governmental agencies and authorities ofcentrally-governed provinces and cities 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 societys political life, the realization

of the peoples 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


60/156

national defence work. The statute of relations,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 statutory

documents and the system of policies 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.


61/156


62/156


63/156

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

The Peoples Army and the Militia and Self-Defence

Force are the main components of Vietnam peoples armed

forces, playing the key role in all-people national defence,charged with the task of combat readiness and combat to

defend the Homeland, and at the same time, making

contribution to the cause of industrialization andmodernization of the country.

1.1. Vietnam Peoples Army

The VPA, the core of the Vi etnam peoples armed

forces, 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 the

happiness of the people.

The forerunner of the VPA is the Vietnam Propaganda

Unit of the Liberation Army, the first main force establishedon December 22, 1944 under the directive of late President

Ho Chi Minh.At the time of its founding, the Propaganda Unit of the

Liberation Army, with only 34 cadres and soldiers, s oondisplayed the tradition of the nations struggle against

foreign invaders and the military art of using the few to

counter the many and the small to defeat the big . In its

early days, the first regular troops of Vietnam attained

resounding feats of arms, liberating large areas to establish


64/156

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 of

Liberation Army merged with the National Salvation Army

and was renamed the Liberation Army, becoming the main

military force of the Front of Vietnam Independence Leagueduring the General Uprising to seize state power in the

August Revolution in 1945.

The Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army,

forerunner of the VPA, established on December 22nd

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 VietnamPeoples Army. At that time, the important regular multi -


65/156

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 an

army 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 VPAs missions then were to develop

into 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


66/156

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. U pon the direct interventionof US troops, the VPA, shouldering with the people and

other 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, withDien Bien Phu Battle in the Air in December 1972 as the

pinnacle; with the successful ending by the historic Ho ChiMinh Campaign on April 30, 1975 resulting in th e

reunification of the country, and opened a new era ofdevelopment for Vietnam.

South Vietnam Liberation Armys tank entered the

Independence Palace on April 30th

1975


67/156

After the 1975 historic victory, the VPA with the wholepeople again won the wars for border protection, preservedthe Homelands independence, sovereignty, unity and

territorial 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 Pots 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 the

Homeland, on December 23, 1978, the VPA launched thestrategic counter-offensive and smashed the Pol Pot armysattacks. Then, in response to an urgent appeal from theCambodian people and the Kampuchean National UnitedFront for National Salvation, Vietnams 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 peace

and 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 UncleHos Soldiers and always faithfully fulfil their functions asan army ready for fight, for work and for produce, worthy oflate President Ho Chi Minhs praise of Our army, loyal tothe Party, pious to the people and ready to fight and sacrifice


68/156

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 has

always 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 the

peoples 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 servicemens quality of life.

VPA factories and enterprises have manufactured varioustypes of weapons and equipment necessary for modernoperations that meet the armys requirements of combatreadiness and combat. Many VPA units engaging inproduction and business have effectively conducted theiroperations to become the countrys major economicorganizations, pioneering the combination of economy withdefence, thus making worthy contributions to the nations


69/156

socio-economic development and defence-securityconsolidation. VPA businesses have joined a number of thenations major projects and ventures such as the Ho Chi

Minh highway, North-South 500KV electric grid, servicesfor petrol and gas exploitation , and hydroelectric stationconstructions at the Da River and Dray Hling. There are 98

VPA 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 and

combat to protect national independence, sovereignty, unity,

territorial integrity, and interests, 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 active

forces 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 professional

personnel. Besides readiness-training units and combat

units, 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.


70/156

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, the

General Political Department, and under t he specificdirection of general departments and other functionalagencies. In the early days, the 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 Vietnamspeoples 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 has Commanderand Vice Commanders, Commissar and Deputy Commissar,functional agencies responsible for staff, political, logistic s,and technical affairs and other subordinate units. The

military 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 Forces, arepositioned to protect the countrys vital strategic local areas.

An Army corps is composed of divisions and other affiliated


71/156

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 professional

technical schools.

The Ground Forces of Vietnam are equipped in themodern, 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 peopleswar. Having undergone a lot of trials during the wars for

national 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 Peoples Armed Forces.

1.1.2. Air Defence Air Force

The Air Defence Air Force is a service assuming

the responsibilities of both national air defence and airforces. It is the core force responsible for the control anddefence of the airspace, protection of the nations key

facilities and the people, and participates in safeguardingthe Homelands 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


72/156

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 relief

operations 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 political

work, technical and logistic issues, and affiliated units. Themain combat units of the service are air divisions, airdefence divisi

Documents

Vietnam Defence White Paper 2009