Communist Review - Firmly protecting national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national interests is a strategic and consistent policy of the Party and State of Viet Nam and a deeply-rooted tradition with countless invaluable lessons learned throughout the national history. It is proven in reality that only when their national independence and sovereignty are intact, national interests are protected, and national peace is maintained, can the Vietnamese people enjoy freedom and happiness, creating favorable conditions and environment for building and developing Viet Nam into a rich, beautiful, civilized and modern country.

In the implementation of CPV policies over the years, the whole Party, people and armed forces with VPA as the core have regularly increased their revolutionary vigilance, proactively grasped the political security in the world and the region, especially in the East Sea; accurately forecast strategic situations, promptly advised the Party and State of Viet Nam on many strategic guidelines and solutions for both cooperating and struggling, exercising adaptive skills, resoluteness and persistency to firmly protect the national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the Party and State of Viet Nam, the people and the socialism, preserve the renovation, industrialization, modernization, national interests, and national culture”(1), avoid passiveness or surprisingness in any situation. Therefore, despite changes in the world and the region, the politics in Viet Nam has been always stable, the economy has seen growth and development, its competitiveness, potential and size have risen; the national defense and security have been maintained and strengthened; foreign relations and international integration have become increasingly intensive and made multiple significant achievements; the education and training, science and technology have been renewed and developed; the culture, society, human development, resource management, environmental protection, response to climate change have received adequate attention and brought about many important results; the great national unity has been strengthened, and the socialist democracy has continued to be promoted. The building of a socialist law-ruled state in Viet Nam has made a lot of progress. The apparatus of political system has become increasingly streamlined and operated efficiently; the structure of legislative, executive and judicial apparatus has continued to be perfected. The construction of CPV and political system has been promoted comprehensively, synchronously, drastically, and effectively. Particularly, the territorial sovereignty over land, air and sea has been firmly managed and protected; the political security, social order and safety in the border areas, sea waters and islands are strictly controlled; the VPA’s overall quality, strength and readiness for fighting has been increasingly improved, effectively fighting to crush all sabotage plots and tricks of hostile forces.

Besides those results, however, the awareness and responsibility of some cadres, party members and people for protecting Viet Nam’s territorial sovereignty is sometimes limited; the revolutionary vigilance, especially the vigilance against sabotage plots and tricks of hostile forces is not high enough; the quality of studying, grasping, assessing and forecasting situations and advising the Party and State of Viet Nam is not comprehensive somewhere; sometimes the coordination between the military and the police in grasping and handling defense and security situations in some localities is not close and effective.

In the coming time, the world and the region will continue to experience complicacy. Power countries will continue to adjust their strategies for security, defense and foreign affairs, increase competition, and exercise both restraint and compromise, which is likely to greatly affect countries, especially weak ones. Large-scale wars are less likely to occur, but local wars, armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and territorial disputes will persist; new forms of war such as proxy, unconventional, asymmetrical, cyber will arise, particularly with the emergence of violent political ideas, unusual actions, violations of international law, directly threatening security and peace in the world, the region and Viet Nam. Additionally, the fierce destruction of hostile forces via "peaceful evolution", rioting and subversion, promoting the depoliticization of the military, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" within the service will pose many difficulties and challenges to national defense task of the Vietnamese people.

In order to actively respond to all destructive plots and tricks of hostile forces, crush them all, be prepared to win invasion wars of all forms and scales, firmly protect the national independence,  sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and national interests in all situations, the whole VPA needs to focus on performing the following fundamental tasks well:

Firstly, regularly raising revolutionary vigilance, strengthening national defense and defense capabilities and maintaining high readiness for fighting in all agencies and units.

It is both a requirement and a solution for Viet Nam to always master the situation, ensuring that the country is neither passive nor surprised in any situation. The CPV has determined on “actively preventing and crushing all sabotage plots and activities of hostile forces, overcoming weaknesses and lack of vigilance; effectively preventing and neutralizing risks of border, sea, and island conflict and wars as well as cyber wars, etc."(2). It is clearly shown in the history of national construction and defense and the practice of the Vietnamese revolution that when Viet Nam shows weaknesses, carelessness, or lacks vigilance, then the country is always in danger. Therefore, in any condition or circumstance, it is a must to closely combine the two strategic tasks i.e. building socialism and firmly defending the nation with sustained vigilance to avoid enemies’ exploitation.

To achieve that goal, Party committees and commanders at all levels must attach great importance to propaganda and education for cadres, party members and the masses so that they can have a thorough grasp of the sabotage plots and tricks of hostile forces against the Vietnamese revolution via "peaceful evolution", "self-evolution", "self-transformation", riot, subversion along with external aggression; clearly distinguish adversaries and partners, raise vigilance, increase measures to stave off evildoers, keep military secrets and state secrets. It is also required to promote the education of revolutionary goals and ideals, tradition of fighting enemies for national defense in the history of Viet Nam, traditional solidarity, soldier-people unity as well as heroic and glorious feats achieved by the Vietnamese people's armed forces during the wars for national liberation; build patriotism, national pride, and readiness to fight and sacrifice for the national independence and freedom, the happiness of the people, be determined to firmly defend national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Actively advising the Party, the State of Viet Nam, Party committees and authorities at all levels on getting prepared for wars even in peacetime, attaching great importance to building the all-people national defense, the posture of people's war, the posture of all-people defense in association with the posture of people's security and the firm, stable and long-term posture of "people's heart"; combining economic, cultural and social development with strengthening and consolidating national defense, security and foreign affairs. Building solid zone-based defenses and all-level defense zones, making battle and operation plans, actively getting prepared to defeat enemies in all directions. Raising vigilance, staving off and crushing all sabotage plots of hostile and reactionary forces, constantly enhancing political and spiritual potentials, economic potentials, defense and security potentials, increase capabilities for national defense; building a strong VPA that is  absolutely loyal to the CPV, the nation and the people, equipped with comprehensive qualities, capabilities, high combat readiness to protect national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and national interests. Strictly maintaining order, combat readiness, ensuring right, sufficient and synchronous components, forces, weapons, equipment, means of transport, logistics, readiness to maneuver and handle defense and security situations promptly and effectively in each locality, each battlefield (i.e. strategic direction) and the whole country; prioritizing forces, equipment, means of transport, command, logistics for key areas of national defense and security, border areas, sea waters, islands, and vulnerable areas.

Secondly, actively studying, firmly grasping, accurately assessing and forecasting strategic situations, seeking timely and effective solutions, avoiding passiveness or surprisingness.

Studying, grasping, accurately assessing and forecasting situations provide the most important basis for the VPA to prepare plans and measures to handle strategic situations and advise the Party and State of Viet Nam on deciding macro-issues related to the regime's survival and the national destiny. The CPV clearly suggests "actively forecasting, flexibly handling all situations, avoiding passiveness, confrontation, disadvantage"(3). In "Viet Nam National Defense Strategy", the CPV affirms: "Do not let the country be strategically passive and surprised"(4). Therefore, the strategic advisory agencies of Viet Nam Ministry of National Defense need to actively coordinate with each other and work with Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant forces in accurately grasping, judging, analyzing, assessing, and forecasting the situation, prepare situations, find out common measures to advise the Party and State of Viet Nam on how to successfully handle national defense and security situations, especially unexpected ones. Concentrating on analyzing, thoroughly assessing major countries and neighboring countries’ moves and adjustments in their security, defense, military and foreign policy strategies, the adversaries’ new conspiracies, tricks, and types of war; practical issues, unconventional security challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic and issues on the agenda of regional and international defense and security forums which directly affect Viet Nam’s security, sovereignty, territory and peace. Domestically, focusing on accurately grasping, studying, assessing and forecasting the situation in border areas, sea waters, islands, strategic and important areas, as well as areas characterized by political and security complexity and risks of instability.

Strategic advisory agencies need to increase direction at the campaign and tactical levels, and take professional measures to keep a close eye on target areas, and promptly detect the plots and actions of hostile forces both inside and outside the national territory; make accurate and timely reports in order to prepare plans and measures to proactively prevent, repel, thoroughly handle and cope with them right from the start, from the grassroots level, preventing widespread, prolonged, passive, unexpected incidents. Regularly adjusting, supplementing and perfecting combat plans and defense plans all over the country and on each battlefield (i.e strategic direction) to suit the situation, local characteristics, requirements, and assigned tasks. It is needed to attach great importance to measures and plans to combat disturbances, riots and terrorist attacks, protect key targets and the country’s political events of great importance. Absolutely avoiding putting too much attention to domestic targets and events, lacking vigilance, and underestimating the task of protecting sovereignty and border security on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace for hostile forces to exploit to sabotage, and infringe upon the national sovereignty and territory. Continuing to thoroughly grasp and effectively realize goals, viewpoints, guiding ideas, mottos, methods, principles, tasks, solutions and breakthroughs stated in the "Strategy for national defense in the new context", "Viet Nam National Defense Strategy", "Viet Nam Military Strategy", "National Border Protection Strategy", "National Defense Strategy in cyberspace", Resolution of 13^th CPV Party Congress, Resolution of 11^th VPA Party Congress; be determined to master the situation in all aspects, avoid passiveness or surprisingness in any situation.

Thirdly, resolutely and persistently struggling to firmly defend Viet Nam’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity over land, air and sea.

This is CPV’s strategic motto for national defense and the top goal that the whole Party, the whole people and the whole armed forces need to achieve in the complicated situation of politics and security in the region, amidst rapid shift from partners to adversaries and vice versa. The CPV has determined on "resolute and persistent struggles to firmly protect national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and ensure political security, social order and safety” (5). Accordingly, Viet Nam should continue to be consistent in the strategic goals and principles, flexible and creative in the strategies, and exercise "adaptive skills" initiated by Ho Chi Minh's thought stating that Viet Nam’s strategic and long-term interests remain immutable. Consequently, Viet Nam needs to keep persistent in resolving disputes and conflicts via peaceful means, avoiding subjectivity or hastiness; seek ways to prevent conflicts and wars and settle disputes via peaceful means in conformity with international law; be alert, cautious, and avoid being trapped by the enemy's tricks. At the same time, the country must take advantage of consensus and support from its people, the international community and the overseas Vietnamese community; combine legal struggle with political struggle, defense struggle with diplomatic struggle, step up economic and cultural struggle and direct struggle on the spot, ensuring that foreign countries do not take advantage and compromise with each other or with hostile forces to the detriment of national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national interests, especially strategic and long-term ones in conformity with the CPV’s guidelines, guiding ideas, mottos and directions, Viet Nam law, international law and regional mechanisms, rules, treaties and agreements.

Keeping resolute and persistent in fighting to firmly protect the national sovereignty over sea and islands; effectively preventing actions that infringe upon the national sovereignty and interests; taking advantage of opportunities, overcoming challenges, proactively preventing and neutralizing the risk of armed conflict and aggression war; resolutely defeat all armed actions of invading Viet Nam’s sea waters and islands and sabotage activities of hostile forces, firmly defending socialist Viet Nam. Preserving independence, self-control, self-reliance, mainly relying on internal strengths; closely combining national defense, security and foreign affairs with economy, culture and society; combining economic development and national defense and security reinforcement; building comprehensive strengths for the country, promoting the role and participation of the whole Party, the whole people, the whole Vietnamese army, agencies, departments, branches, unions and localities in the national defense, in which the people's armed forces with the VPA as the core win decisive victories. Well exercising the CPV’s new viewpoint and thought on national defense which requires not only fighting to prevent and neutralize the risk of war and readiness to win aggression wars, but also resolute fighting to crush all plots and actions that interfere in Viet Nam’s internal affairs, infringe upon the national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, national security and political stability; proactively prevent, early detect and eliminate adverse factors that can cause the unexpected consequences, be determined to keep the country in harmony. For internal affairs, mainly educating, persuading and preventing along with strict rules and disciplines, and strictly solve law violations; promptly preventing and handling instigators, leaders, and the stubborn; educating and converting the misguided. Actively combating the plots and activities of "peaceful evolution", "de-politicizing" the army, promoting "self-evolution", "self-transformation" of hostile forces; resolutely preventing the emergence of opposite political organizations of any form.

Fourthly, promoting foreign defense relations, building strategic trust, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and defending the nation from early stage and from afar.

Continuing to thoroughly grasp and correctly, flexibly and creatively adopt a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and active international integration; bringing into full play the internal strengths and the national position; promoting foreign defense relations; developing defense cooperation with other countries; building Viet Nam's bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation ties characterized by depth, focus, details, plans, stability, firmness, practicality and efficiency. Building and strengthening political trust through defense cooperation; taking advantage of international support, fully mobilizing external resources to strengthen national defense, build armed forces, modernize the VPA, and raise the capabilities for national defense.

Resolutely and persistently combining cooperation and struggle on the basis of a thorough grasp of international law and compliance with it; adding more friends and reducing enemies; strategically balancing relations with major countries. Proactively and actively integrating into the world, strengthening bilateral and multilateral defense relations and cooperation, and facilitating integration in other fields; increasing the interlacement of strategic interests with all countries, especially major ones, neighboring ones and regional ones; avoiding conflict, confrontation, isolation, dependence; preventing dangers and getting prepared to win wars of aggression; realizing the plan for national defense from early stage, from afar, and even when the country is not in danger. Actively and responsibly participating in UN peacekeeping operations, participating in military exercises and other defense cooperation activities abroad in accordance with the CPV’s viewpoints and policies, Vietnamese law and international law, helping raise the image and quality of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" and Viet Nam’s prestige and position in the international arena.

In foreign defense relations, respecting the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all countries, ensuring national interests; not joining a military alliance, not aligning with one country against another; not allowing any foreign country to set up military bases or use Vietnamese territory against other countries; not using force or threatening to use force in international relations. Being ready to help other countries when required, ensuring compliance with the Viet Nam Constitution and law, national interests, the United Nations Charter and the international law. In the process of international integration and foreign defense relations expansion, always thoroughly grasping the ideology of common interests in the community of nations; not ignoring Viet Nam’s strategic goals and interests, stability, sustainability, long-term development for immediate goals and interest. Linking Viet Nam's interests with those of the three Indochinese countries, the interests of the ASEAN community; building international solidarity, sharing and being responsible against some major countries’ violent acts, defiance of international law, disrespect for small countries, and conspiracies and tricks to divide the international solidarity between Viet Nam and other countries, undermine the CPV and VPA’s policy of globalization, openness, international integration and defense cooperation.

Successfully taking the above measures will serve as key basis for crushing all sabotage plots and tricks of hostile forces, winning wars of invasion of all scales and forms, which helps firmly protect Viet Nam’s independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national interests in all situations.

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(1) Communist Party of Viet Nam, Document of 12th National Party Congress, Office of the Party Central Committee, Ha Noi, 2016, p. 147

(2) Communist Party of Viet Nam, Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2013, of 11th  Party Central Committee on "Strategy for national defense in the new context"

(3) Communist Party of Viet Nam, Document of 12th National Party Congress, ibid, p. 155

(4) Communist Party of Viet Nam, Resolution No. 24-NQ/TW dated April 16, 2018, of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee on "Viet Nam national defense strategy"

(5) Communist Party of Viet Nam, Document of 12th National Party Congress, ibid, p. 271

This article was published in the Communist Review, No. 956 (December 2020)