This is a valuable quality that is forged from the tradition of patriotism, solidarity and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people. This quality is not only the guiding principle in all actions of the army but also a profound human value, creating the special identity of the Vietnam People's Army - an army of the people, by the people and for the people.
National character, popular character and revolutionary nature of the Vietnam People's Army
In Vietnamese history, patriotism and community awareness were formed early and became the foundation for the birth of armed forces. From the Van Lang - Au Lac period to the Ly, Tran, Le, Nguyen dynasties, the spirit of "taking the people as the root" has always been the guiding principle in organizing and building military forces. However, the armed forces of the feudal period, despite many glorious victories, still had the nature of the feudal class, serving the interests of the ruling feudal class.
It was not until the Communist Party of Vietnam was born that the revolutionary armed forces took on a completely new nature - the nature of the working class, and at the same time deeply national and popular. At the same time, the ideology and foundation of the revolutionary armed forces were laid down, with the goal of not only fighting for national independence but also protecting the people's interests, bringing a free and happy life to all people.
On December 22, 1944, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army - the predecessor of the Vietnam People's Army - was established under the Directive of President Ho Chi Minh. Since its inception, the army has carried the mission of "coming from the people, fighting for the people". This is not only demonstrated through the oath under the red flag with yellow star of the first 34 soldiers but also proven through concrete actions throughout history. Those soldiers, from the first difficult days, were ready to sacrifice everything to protect the people, regain independence and freedom for the Fatherland.
The quality of “Forgetting oneself for the people” is not just a slogan but has become a core value, a guiding light for every generation of cadres and soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army. President Ho Chi Minh once taught: “Our army is loyal to the Party, filial to the people, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for socialism”.
The Vietnam People's Army, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, is the crystallization of patriotism, revolutionary will and absolute loyalty to the people. Our army is not only a fighting army but also a working army, a force for building and developing the country, always accompanying and putting the people's interests first in all circumstances, from wartime to peacetime.
In the resistance wars, protecting and building the Fatherland
Throughout its history, the Vietnam People’s Army has made a deep impression through glorious victories, from the resistance war against French colonialism and American imperialism to protecting the border and fulfilling international obligations. Each victory of our army is associated with the great sacrifice of soldiers who have spared no effort to protect the people and the Fatherland.
During the resistance war against French colonialism, the image of Dien Bien soldiers "determined to die for the survival of the Fatherland" became an immortal symbol of patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice for the people.
During the resistance war against the US, the Truong Son soldiers with “bare feet and steel will” overcame countless difficulties and dangers to liberate the South and unify the country. They fought not only for independence and freedom but also for the happiness of every person and every family on the land of Vietnam.
As President Ho Chi Minh once said: “Our compatriots know that every soldier has parents and siblings, and every family and relatives. But they sacrificed their small families, they did not hesitate to leave their parents and their homeland to fight against bombs and bullets to serve the great family of the nation, including the family of each compatriot. Therefore, our people are grateful and love the soldiers.”
Even in peacetime, the quality of “Forgetting oneself for the people” continues to be promoted. In recent years, the image of soldiers who do not fear hardships and difficulties, always present in the most dangerous places to save people from natural disasters and epidemics has left a deep impression on the people.
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army did not hesitate to sacrifice personal interests, lying on the shore, sleeping in the open, and giving up their barracks to people in quarantine. Or during the recent Typhoon Yagi and devastating landslides that swept through the northern provinces, the Vietnam People's Army continued to be the vanguard force, disregarding danger to save people, even sacrificing their lives to protect the people.
The heroic sacrifices of the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, from wartime to peacetime, have become living proof of the quality of "Sacrificing oneself for the people". They are the embodiment of the patriotism, compassion and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people.
Promoting the quality of "Forgetting oneself for the people" in the new era
The quality of “Forgetting oneself for the people” is not only a noble moral value but also has profound humanistic meaning. It demonstrates the sense of responsibility, love and sacrifice for the community - core values that make up the Vietnamese cultural identity.
This quality and ideal not only helps the Vietnam People's Army defeat all enemies but also helps our army win the trust of the people, becoming a solid support for the entire people. In the context of the new era, when the country is facing many new challenges such as climate change, epidemics, and non-traditional security, the quality of "For the people, forgetting oneself" of the Vietnam People's Army becomes even more important. This is not only the guideline for all actions of the army but also a source of inspiration for the entire people to unite and overcome all difficulties and challenges together.
To promote this quality, it is necessary to continue educating and fostering patriotism, responsibility and a sense of serving the people for all cadres and soldiers. At the same time, it is necessary to create conditions for the army to continue to be closely attached to the people, always be a solid support for the people in all circumstances, ready to "Sacrifice everything for the Fatherland of Vietnam... to make Vietnam a Democratic, Independent, Free country, on par with democratic countries in the world" as affirmed in the book "Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army" published by the Vietnam Military History Institute (Ministry of National Defense).
