How many generals does Vietnam have in the People's Army?

General is the highest military officer rank in the Vietnam People's Army, with the rank insignia of 4 gold stars.

According to current regulations, the rank of General of the Vietnam People's Army is conferred by the President and Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council.

Since its establishment, the Vietnam People's Army has had 18 generals.

December 22, 1944 was the day the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army - the predecessor of today's Vietnam People's Army - was established under the direction of leader Ho Chi Minh .

When it was first established, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army had only 34 officers and soldiers, but it soon promoted the nation's tradition of fighting foreign invaders and the military art of using the few to fight the many, and using the small to win the big.

Right from the first time of its deployment, the first regular army of Vietnam achieved resounding victories, liberating large areas as bases for activities to fight for independence, opening the tradition of determination to fight and win of the Vietnam People's Army later.

According to the People's Army Newspaper, on May 28, 1948, comrade Vo Nguyen Giap was awarded the first rank of General in the army at the age of 37.

At that ceremony, Uncle Ho held the Decree in his hand, and in a solemn and emotional voice, he said: “Today, on behalf of the Government and the people…” Uncle Ho suddenly stopped, took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears. Then he continued: “…In the name of the President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, I confer on you the position of General so that you can command the soldiers to fulfill the mission entrusted to you by the nation…”.

When answering a Western reporter about the standards for awarding military ranks, Uncle Ho said: If you defeat a Colonel, you will be awarded a Colonel; if you defeat a Major General, you will be awarded a Major General; if you defeat a Lieutenant General, you will be awarded a Lieutenant General; if you defeat a General, you will be awarded a General.

On the morning of July 14, 2025, President Luong Cuong presented decisions to promote military ranks and titles to 7 generals in the Army and Police, of which Senior Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet was promoted to the rank of General.

Mr. Trinh Van Quyet, Director of the General Department of Politics, is the 18th general of the Vietnam People's Army since its establishment in 1944.

According to the People's Army Newspaper, up to now, in the Vietnam People's Army, there are 2 soldiers who have been specially awarded the rank of General without going through intermediate levels: comrade Vo Nguyen Giap (awarded in 1948) and comrade Nguyen Chi Thanh (awarded in 1959).

General Vo Nguyen Giap was the only General in the first promotion of generals of the Vietnam People's Army, the only commander assigned the title of "general on leave", with full authority to make decisions in a historic campaign...

General Nguyen Chi Thanh was promoted to the rank of General under Decree No. 36-SL dated August 31, 1959 signed by President Ho Chi Minh.