The spirit of military-civilian solidarity led to the Great Victory of Spring 1975

The Party's correct, creative, sensitive and timely leadership was the decisive factor in promoting the strength of national unity in the Great Victory of Spring 1975. The resounding victory of the strategic offensive directions throughout the South created a fundamental turning point in the comparison of forces between us and the enemy; we took the initiative in strategic offensives, especially after the victory of the Central Highlands Campaign, new factors appeared, changing the situation of the battlefield, making the revolutionary war in the South develop by leaps and bounds. In that situation, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission's Standing Committee promptly adjusted the plan to liberate the South from the initial 2-year (1975-1976) plan to a 1-year plan, and then decided to end it before the rainy season, especially in April 1975; At the same time, organizing strategic attacks on the enemy's strategic locations and targets, creating a ripe opportunity for us to launch a decisive strategic battle in Saigon - Gia Dinh with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. Those decisions of the Politburo became a flag calling on the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army to promote the spirit of solidarity, unification of will and action, readiness to fight and sacrifice, creating "the unanimity of the people to form a bronze wall around the Fatherland" to carry out a general offensive and uprising on the entire southern battlefield, defeat the puppet army, abolish the puppet government, liberate the South, and unify the country with a spirit of lightning speed, boldness, surprise, one day equals twenty years..., advancing to the decisive battle front, determined to win...

The victory of the resistance war against the US imperialists, to save the country of our army and people is the victory of the strength and intelligence of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era. To gain victory, our Party focused on promoting the combined strength of all resources of the whole country, the strength of people's war, of the great national unity bloc, building the iron determination, the spirit of determination to fight and win of our army and people. In which, the political - spiritual factor is always a solid support, a basic foundation, with an absolute advantage over the opponent, as VI Lenin once affirmed: "In every war, victory ultimately depends on the spirit of the masses shedding blood on the battlefield, the belief in a just war, the realization that it is necessary to sacrifice one's life for the happiness of one's brothers, is the factor that raises the spirit of soldiers and makes them endure unprecedented difficulties" ⁽¹⁾ .

Right from the early period of the resistance war against American imperialism to save the country, our Party always focused on promoting the political and spiritual factor, building the great national unity bloc, creating the combined strength of the whole country for the great front line. The political and spiritual strength of our army and people that created the Great Victory in Spring 1975 was the crystallization and convergence of the strength of 21 years of fighting against American imperialism to save the country with the leadership and direction experiences drawn from many successive campaigns in the strategic general offensives to achieve the final victory (Central Highlands, Hue - Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh). That was the peak promotion of the strength of the whole nation combined with the strength of the times in the strategic decisive battle. It was the ingenious and wise leadership of the Party with the policy of raising high the flag of national independence and socialism, promoting the strength of the great socialist rear of the North, of the great front line of the South, steadfast and heroic on the front line against America. It is the enthusiastic and effective support and assistance of international friends, the core of which is the Soviet Union and China.

During the fierce years of the resistance war against American imperialism, the solidarity between the army and the people was the foundation of the great national solidarity bloc to implement the strategic ideology of the Party and beloved Uncle Ho: "Unity, unity, great unity. Success, success, great success". That foundation was constantly cultivated by our army and people with many creative methods and approaches, suitable to the situation of the country being divided into two regions. In the North, all classes of people enthusiastically competed in labor, production, and provided human resources, weapons, and technical equipment to the Southern battlefield with the spirit: "All for the front line, all to defeat the American invaders", "Not a pound of rice is missing, not a soldier is missing" was born in Thai Binh as a natural thing, quickly received the response of all classes of people, spreading everywhere in the province and in the North, "Give up the house to store goods, give up the village to store vehicles", "Cars have not passed, no regrets about the house", "Three ready youth", "Three capable women"...

On the southern battlefield, although the puppet army, puppet government and American imperialists used all means to divide the people from the army and guerrillas, such as: forcing people to establish strategic hamlets, suppressing revolutionary movements..., the relationship between the army and the people was always consolidated and became increasingly close. Thousands and tens of thousands of mothers and sisters did not fear hardships and dangers, were willing to sacrifice their lives to hide the army, work as liaisons, nurses..., fostering the will "When the enemy comes, even women will fight". Those were shining images of the army-people solidarity, the source of strength. Living in the hearts of the people, protected, helped and nurtured by the people, our army always upholds the tradition of "Loyalty to the country, filial piety to the people", fights bravely and tenaciously with the will to fight and win, protects the people in each battle against encroachment and sweeps, defeats large-scale enemy campaigns, maintains liberated areas, and prepares all conditions to successfully end the resistance war against American imperialism and save the country with the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in the spring of 1975.

The solidarity between the army and the people is one will, all for one goal, the ideal of "National independence associated with socialism" is truly the source of the invincible strength of the Vietnam People's Army. "For the people" - that is the strong motivation that urges generations of cadres and soldiers to not be afraid of difficulties and hardships, to be ready to sacrifice, and to be determined to fight to protect the Fatherland and protect the people. The historical reality of the wars of liberation and the wars to protect the Fatherland under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam has proven and affirmed the strength of the army-people solidarity bloc. Any enemy, if it knows how to encourage, motivate, gather, rally and promote the strength of the entire people, the core of which is the strength of the army-people solidarity, will win great victories.

Promoting the strength of military-civilian solidarity in the current cause of national construction and defense

Deeply aware of the strength of military-people solidarity and the strength of great national solidarity, carrying out the current cause of national construction and protection, our Party and State have always consistently maintained the viewpoint that "people are the masters", "people are the root", people are the subject of the cause of building, consolidating national defense, security and protecting the Fatherland.

Thoroughly implementing the resolutions of the Party and the Central Military Commission, the army has always taken the lead in implementing patriotic emulation movements and campaigns such as: "All people unite to build a cultural life", "Day for the poor", "Repaying gratitude", "The whole country joins hands to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas"... With hundreds of working groups, teams and cadres strengthening the grassroots. The above practical activities further enhance the glorious tradition of the Vietnam People's Army, the good qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers"; contribute to building a solid "people's heart position"; are the source of strength for the national defense in the cause of building the army, consolidating national defense, and protecting the Fatherland. Our army officers and soldiers are always absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State and the people; constantly consolidating and strengthening the flesh-and-blood attachment to the people. Closely coordinating with local Party committees, authorities, and socio-political organizations; Propaganda and mobilization of people to clearly recognize the insidious plots and tricks of hostile forces with the intention of dividing and undermining the strength of the great national unity bloc; build and consolidate people's trust in Party committees and authorities at all levels; proactively coordinate and effectively handle complicated situations, contributing to maintaining political security, order and social safety; develop socio-economy, improve people's material and spiritual life, especially in strategic and key areas, remote areas, border areas and islands; not to be passive or surprised in any situation. Perform well the 3 functions: combat army, working army, labor army, production, shock force, take the lead in preventing and fighting natural disasters, epidemics, searching, rescuing, promptly present in difficult and dangerous places, ready to sacrifice to protect the lives and property of the State and the people. In any circumstances, especially in times of difficulty, adversity, and natural disasters; the Vietnam People's Army is always a reliable and solid support for local Party committees, authorities, and people.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", "putting the health and lives of the people first and foremost", "helping the people is the heart's command of the officers and soldiers", the Vietnam People's Army has not hesitated to sacrifice and hardship, "rushed straight" into the epidemic center, supporting localities and people in preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the comprehensive and wise leadership of the Party, the flexible and timely direction of the Government, officers and soldiers of the entire army and militia and self-defense forces nationwide have highly promoted revolutionary heroism, patriotism, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people, fulfilling their assigned functions and tasks, both training and being ready to fight, and actively and proactively participating in preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic effectively, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of Party committees, authorities and people. Super Typhoon No. 3 Yagi, which occurred in September 2024, was the strongest storm in the past 30 years in the East Sea and the past 70 years on land, causing devastation and serious impacts on many localities. Regardless of hardship and sacrifice, the armed forces helped people in disaster-hit areas recover and return to normal life soon.

Solidarity and close attachment to the people have become a precious tradition, the nature of the army, creating the invincible strength of our army in both peacetime and wartime, a solid foundation for each Party committee, Party organization, political commissar, political officer and commander at all levels, as well as the entire army to carry out well the Party's mass mobilization work, perform well the functions of a fighting army, a working army, a labor and production army, building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern Vietnam People's Army.

In the current context, when the world and the region are experiencing many rapid and unpredictable developments. Traditional and non-traditional security issues, climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics are evolving in a complicated manner. Hostile forces are always creating excuses for military intervention, stepping up their plots and activities of "peaceful evolution" with more sophisticated and insidious tricks..., placing increasing demands on building and strengthening the strength of the great national unity bloc; including the strength of military-civilian solidarity, as a basis for strengthening national defense, building a strong army, especially in politics, firmly protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam in the new situation. To fulfill that requirement, it is necessary to focus on implementing well the following solutions:

First , maintain and strengthen the absolute, direct leadership in all aspects of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the army. This is a principle, a matter of law, and a decisive factor. In the current situation, hostile forces are always seeking to carry out the plot of "depoliticizing" the army in order to separate the Party's leadership over the army. This reality requires a thorough understanding and effective implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress on strengthening the absolute, direct leadership in all aspects over the army in the new situation. The national defense that we are building is a national defense "of the people, by the people, for the people", developing in the direction of: All people, comprehensive, independent, autonomous, self-reliant, self-reliant and increasingly modern, under the leadership of the Party, the management and administration of the State, by the people as masters to maintain peace and stability of the country, ready to defeat all acts of invasion and riotous overthrow by hostile forces, firmly protecting the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

Party committees and party organizations at all levels need to thoroughly grasp the Party's national defense policy, pay attention to leading and directing the implementation of military and national defense tasks within their scope, functions and tasks. Focus on building a clean and strong party organization in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organization and cadres, with comprehensive leadership capacity and high combat power. Take care to implement well the policy towards the armed forces and the military rear policy. Strengthen the blood-based solidarity relationship between the army and the people, resolutely expose and fight to defeat the plot of "depoliticizing" the army by hostile forces. Continue to innovate and improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of party and political work, in which it is necessary to pay special attention to doing well the mass mobilization work, building a politically strong Vietnam People's Army as a basis for improving the overall quality, strength, combat readiness and combat capability. Improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of Party and political work and building the strength of military-civilian solidarity is to ensure and maintain the absolute and direct leadership in all aspects of the Party over the Vietnam People's Army, the leading factor deciding all victories of our army.

Second , building a strong, compact, and modern army. This is a major policy, demonstrating the vision and strategic thinking of our Party and State towards the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. This is also an objective requirement, ensuring that the army is capable of successfully completing all assigned tasks in the new situation.

Thoroughly grasp and seriously and effectively implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, the resolutions of the Politburo, and the resolutions of the Central Military Commission on building a strong, compact, and elite army. This is the overarching content, consistent direction, and has decisive significance in realizing the goal of building a strong, compact, elite army, advancing towards modernization, ensuring overall quality, and increasingly high combat strength, meeting the requirements and tasks of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. To effectively implement the above contents, it is necessary to focus on thoroughly grasping Resolution No. 05-NQ/TW, dated January 17, 2022 of the Politburo on the organization of the Vietnam People's Army for the period 2021 - 2030 and the following years; Resolution No. 230-NQ/QUTW, dated April 2, 2022, of the Central Military Commission on leadership and implementation of the organization of the Vietnam People's Army for the period 2021 - 2030 and the following years.

Third , continue to lead, direct, and organize the implementation of improving the quality and effectiveness of mass mobilization work, contributing to building an increasingly solid "people's hearts" position, creating a foundation for building a strong national defense, meeting the requirements of building and protecting the Fatherland in the new situation. In recent years, the mass mobilization work of the army has undergone comprehensive innovation in terms of content and methods, closely following the functions, tasks, objects, areas and conditions of the unit, achieving practical results; serving as a bridge to strengthen the close relationship between the army and the people, consolidating the great national unity bloc, enhancing the people's trust in the Party, the State and the army, building an increasingly solid "people's hearts" position. At the same time, educating and training the political mettle, awareness, responsibility and style of a revolutionary soldier for cadres and soldiers; heighten pride, maintain and constantly promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" in the new period, making these qualities increasingly spread throughout the army and in social life.

Fourth , proactively fight to defeat the plot of "peaceful evolution" and tricks of hostile forces to promote "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the army, "depoliticize" the army, and divide the army from the people, the army from the police.

To promptly detect and prevent the plots and tricks of hostile forces, it is necessary to build a strong political stance, be absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party, the State, the people and the socialist regime; strictly implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies; maintain internal solidarity, and unite the army and the people. For unit party committees and commanders, it is necessary to be proactive in leadership and direction, promptly detect and organize effective struggles against plots, "depoliticize" the army, and divide the army and the people. Build a clean and strong party organization, a strong and comprehensive unit, "typical and exemplary", build a rich and healthy military cultural environment; raise vigilance, be ready to fight to firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam in the new situation./.
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(1) VI Lenin: Complete Works , Progress Publishing House, 1977, vol. 41, p. 147

Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/van_hoa_xa_hoi/-/2018/1079602/phat-huy-tinh-than-doan-ket-quan---dan-trong-dai-thang-mua-xuan-1975-vao-cong-cuoc-xay-dung-va-bao-ve-to-quoc-hien-nay.aspx