Proud of a heroic tradition

On September 23, 1965, Regiment 3, Division 9, Army Corps 34 (stationed in Dong Nai) was established.

Over the past 60 years of building, fighting, winning, and growing, the Party Committee, Command, and officers and soldiers of Regiment 3 have overcome tremendous hardships, sacrifices, and challenges. The more they fought, the stronger and more mature they became, achieving resounding victories in the wars to defend the Fatherland as well as in fulfilling international missions in Cambodia. Through these achievements, Regiment 3 - the heroic Hoa Lu Regiment has built and enriched its tradition of “Unity, bravery, self-reliance, resilience, determination to fight and win.”

Major General Tran Cong Duc, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Army Corps 34  (third from right) inspects the preparation for combat readiness training in early 2025 at Regiment 3. Photo: DVCC

A record of resounding victories

According to the historical tradition of Regiment 3 - the heroic Hoa Lu Regiment - to meet the revolutionary demands during the most intense phase of the resistance war against U.S. imperialism, on September 23, 1965, Regiment 95C, the predecessor of today’s Regiment 3, was established at the Lam Kinh Historical Site in Ngoc Lac District, Thanh Hoa Province (now Ngoc Lac Commune, Thanh Hoa Province).

From its very founding and throughout the course of building, fighting, and maturing, the officers and soldiers of Regiment 3 have achieved many resounding victories and been honored with many prestigious awards by the Party, the State, and the People.

Notably, shortly after its establishment, while conducting training at Khe Lau along National Highway 1 from Ghep ferry terminal to Hang bridge, enemy aircraft launched an attack. The 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun company (Company 16, part of today’s Regiment 3) shot down an F4 fighter jet. For this outstanding feat, Company 16 was awarded the Third-Class Victory Medal, marking the regiment’s first significant feat and its very first decoration. The regiment went on to secure resounding victories at Ta Con, Khe Sanh, and Ngoc Hoi, eliminating thousands of enemy troops. Particularly since engaging in the Southeastern battlefield (mid-November 1968), the regiment launched offensives and captured numerous enemy bases.

In reviewing the spring, summer, and autumn operations of 1969 on the B2 battlefield, Regiment 3 was commended by the Central Office for South Vietnam and the Liberation Army Command as the best-performing unit among the region’s main forces. The regiment was also awarded a traditional flag embroidered with the 16 golden words: “Unity, bravery, self-reliance, resilience; determination to fight and win.”

During the Nguyen Hue Campaign of 1972, thanks to its outstanding achievements -most notably the victory at Hoa Lu area on April 6, 1972 - Regiment 3 was presented with the Third-Class Liberation Military Merit Medal and the honorary title “Hoa Lu Regiment” by the Central Office for South Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. In further recognition of its exceptional accomplishments, on September 23, 1973, Regiment 3 was conferred the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces by the Provisional Revolutionary Government.

Nguyen Thanh Nguong, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and Head of the Regiment 3 Veterans’ Liaison Committee, emphasized that the regiment’s resounding victories have affirmed a heroic tradition that continues to be carried forward by its officers and soldiers - united, determined to overcome difficulties - successfully fulfilling their duties in both wartime and peacetime, and in building and safeguarding the Fatherland in the new era.

Building an exemplary strong unit

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quoc Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Commander of Regiment 3, said: In the face of increasingly high requirements for the task of protecting the Fatherland, Regiment 3 continues to inherit and promote the tradition of the heroic Hoa Lu Regiment, always strives to excel in studying and training, upholds the spirit of revolutionary vigilance, focuses on building a politically strong unit; improves the quality of studying and following the ideology, morality, and style of Ho Chi Minh and the campaign to promote tradition, contribute talent, and be worthy of Uncle Ho's soldiers; patriotic emulation movements, the Digital Popular Education Movement; innovates to improve the quality of training and combat readiness...

These efforts have brought about profound changes in awareness and action, particularly in strengthening discipline, legal compliance, and safety. The regiment has also advanced agricultural production and thrift practices, ensuring the material and spiritual well-being of its officers and soldiers. By enhancing technical support for assigned missions, improving overall quality and combat capability, Regiment 3 is being developed into a streamlined, strong, and modern force - contributing to the building of Division 9 and Army Corps 34 into revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern units.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quoc Huy further noted that in the first 8 months of 2025, Regiment 3 successfully fulfilled all assigned tasks in line with the plan. Special attention was given to building a strong and clean Party organization, developing a comprehensively strong, “exemplary and typical” unit, fostering officers and soldiers with firm political spirit, ready to undertake and excellently accomplish every mission.

The regiment successfully organized and completed peak emulation campaigns and held its 2025–2030 Party Congress with great success. Party committees at all levels focused on breakthrough measures to enhance comprehensive leadership capacity, the combat strength of grassroots Party organizations and cells, and the quality of Party members, while promoting the study and practice of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, ethics, and style. Logistical and technical work was fully ensured, with emphasis on agricultural production, provision of adequate regimes and standards, and improvements in living conditions and health for officers and soldiers.

In recognition of its outstanding achievements over 60 years of building, fighting, winning, and growing, Regiment 3 was awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces by the Party and the State. Many collectives and individuals of the unit have also been honored as heroes and received worthy commendations. On the occasion of its 60th traditional anniversary, Regiment 3 proudly received the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal.

By Nguyet Ha – Translated by Thu Cuc, Thu Ha