The Vietnam People's Army is a new type of army, a people's army, by the people, for the people, the core force of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces, organized, educated and trained by the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. The name "People's Army" was given by President Ho Chi Minh with the meaning "born from the people, serving the people".
In December 1944, leader Ho Chi Minh issued a Directive to establish the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army. The Directive emphasized: "The name of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army means that politics is more important than military; it is a propaganda team, and at the same time the starting point of the liberation army, which can go from the South to the North...".
On December 22, 1944, in the forest between Hoang Hoa Tham and Tran Hung Dao communes in Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province (now Na Sang hamlet, Tam Kim commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province), the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was established with 34 soldiers, organized into 3 squads, directly commanded by comrade Vo Nguyen Giap. This was the first main unit of the revolutionary armed forces and the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army.
On December 22, 1944, under the red flag with a five-pointed yellow star, 34 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army solemnly recited the Ten Oaths of Honor. The Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was led by comrade Hoang Sam, and comrade Xich Thang (Duong Mac Thach) as Political Commissar. The Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was led by a Party cell. There were only 34 people, with 34 guns of various types, but they were determined and brave soldiers in the Cao - Bac - Lang guerrilla teams, the National Salvation Army... who were children of oppressed people, they had a strong patriotism and hatred for the enemy, which tightened them into a solid block that no enemy could break. After the founding ceremony, the team organized a bland meal without vegetables or salt to highlight the hardships of the revolutionary soldiers. The team organized a "guerrilla night" to celebrate with local people to strengthen military-civilian solidarity.
Implementing the directive of leader Ho Chi Minh: "There must be activities within a month. The first battle must be a victory", at 5:00 p.m. on December 25, 1944 (right after its founding), the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army team was clever, bold, and suddenly broke into Phai Khat post (located in Kim Ma commune, Nguyen Binh district, now Tam Kim commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province) and on the morning of December 26, 1944 broke into Na Ngan post (located in Cam Ly commune, Nguyen Binh district, now Hoa Tham commune, Nguyen Binh district, Cao Bang province), killing two post commanders, capturing all enemy soldiers and seizing all weapons, military uniforms and equipment. The victory of Phai Khat and Na Ngan opened the tradition of fighting with certainty of victory and fighting the first battle of our army.
In March 1945, the Central Party Standing Committee held an expanded meeting and issued the Directive "The Japanese and French Fighting and Our Actions". In April 1945, the Central Party convened the Northern Military Revolutionary Conference, deciding to unify the armed forces of the whole country (Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army, National Salvation Army and other armed organizations...) into the Vietnam Liberation Army; step up propaganda of armed assaults to destroy Japanese rice warehouses to save the people from starvation; build armed self-defense and national salvation guerrillas; launch guerrilla warfare, liberate each region, and expand revolutionary bases.
From April 1945, the anti-Japanese national salvation movement reached its peak, the armed uprising movement, and partial uprisings won victories in many places. On May 15, 1945, after the unification ceremony in Dinh Bien Thuong, Dinh Hoa, Thai Nguyen, comrade Vo Nguyen Giap became Commander of the unified armed forces, named Vietnam Liberation Army. Based on the assessment of the opportunity and revolutionary situation in the country, under the leadership of the Party, the armed forces and all classes of people simultaneously rose up to launch an uprising to seize power. Within just 15 days at the end of August 1945, the General Uprising of our people won complete victory. The August Revolution of 1945 succeeded, and the Vietnam Liberation Army was renamed the National Defense Army. In 1946, the National Defense Army was renamed the Vietnam National Army. In 1950, it was renamed the Vietnam People's Army. December 22, 1944, the founding day of the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army - the first main force of the Vietnam People's Army is taken as the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army.
Through the 79-year history of fighting, building and growing up, our army is closely linked to the heroic history of the nation's struggle. An army trained by the Party and Uncle Ho, which used to be the Red Self-Defense Forces in the Soviet-Nghe Tinh movement, the Bac Son, Nam Ky, Ba To, Cao Bac Lang guerrilla forces, the National Salvation Army, and the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army. An army of generations of cadres and soldiers who have taken up arms and fought with the entire people to defeat all brutal invaders, regain independence and unity, firmly protect the sacred borders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and fulfill glorious international obligations to the revolutions of the two brotherly countries: Laos and Cambodia.
In 1989, according to the directive of the Central Party Secretariat and the Government's decision, December 22nd of each year is not only the anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army but also the National Defense Day. Since then, every year, on this day, all Vietnamese people carry out activities focusing on the theme of national defense and the army, in order to widely propagate the nation's tradition of fighting to defend the country and the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, educate patriotism, love for socialism, and encourage all citizens to take care of strengthening national defense, building the army, and protecting the Fatherland.
Promoting the great achievements gained over the past 79 years, the Vietnam People's Army continues to build in the direction of revolution, discipline, elite, and gradual modernization; participate in the construction of the country's economy and better perform its core function of building a strong national defense, contributing to the successful construction and firm protection of the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam; protecting peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
