The everlasting heroic epic of soldiers

Over 81 years of building, fighting, winning, and growth, the Vietnam People’s Army in general, and the armed forces of Dong Nai Province in particular, have consistently upheld solidarity, overcome hardships, and remained determined to successfully fulfill all assigned missions.

Leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State, the military, and the armed forces of the former Binh Phuoc Province attend the 50th anniversary of the Tau O - Xom Ruong Victory on August 26, 2022. Photo: Nguyet Ha

The 81st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 –2025) also marks the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Armed Forces of the former Binh Phuoc Province – present-day Dong Nai Province (December 25, 1945 –2025), leading up to the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Dong Nai Armed Forces (May 15, 1946 – May 15, 2026). Throughout generations, officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces have faithfully inherited the heroic tradition, continuously striving to excellently fulfill their duties, and affirming their role as the core force in safeguarding the Party, the State, and the People in the locality.

A proud tradition

According to historical records, the armed forces of today’s Dong Nai Province (formerly Binh Phuoc Province and Dong Nai Province) were established and became operational immediately after the success of the August Revolution. Specifically, the Binh Phuoc’s armed forces were founded on December 25, 1945, and those of Dong Nai on May 15, 1946. Over eight decades, from their early formative days under the leadership of the Party, provincial armed forces steadfastly held their ground, remained close to the people, built resistance bases, fought for and served the people.  

Born and operational in the wake of the August Revolution, guided by the Party and nurtured by the people, the provincial armed forces fought while simultaneously building, consolidating, and strengthening themselves in all aspects. They intensified the indomitable spirit of the nation, the heroic tradition of the army, fervent patriotism, and the revolutionary spirit of “Southern Vietnam – the Bronze Fortress of the Fatherland” and the “arduous yet heroic Eastern Region” standing shoulder to shoulder with the people to overcome immense challenges and fulfill historic missions.

During the 30 years (1945–1975) of resistance wars against French colonialists and U.S. imperialists, as well as in the southwest border defense war and the fulfillment of international duties, numerous major and minor battles along the Saigon–Loc Ninh railway line, at Thuan Loi Rubber Plantation, the Nha Bich Bridge battle on Interprovincial Route 3 (Chon Thanh – Thu Bien), the victories of La Nga, Ba Kien Bridge Watchtower, the Tau O – Xom Ruong blocking campaign, and the victories of Xuan Loc and Trang Bom,… were marked by the blood and sacrifices of the armed forces of Binh Phuoc – Dong Nai.

Throughout their development, the Dong Nai armed forces have achieved many outstanding achievements, recognized by the Party and the State with prestigious awards. Numerous collectives and individuals have been honored with the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces,” along with many orders, medals, and other noble distinctions.

Building comprehensively strong armed forces

The merger of both former provinces of Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai into the new Dong Nai Province has created wider development space, with a larger population scale, stronger economy, and improved infrastructure. This has facilitated better resource mobilization, regional connectivity, and more effective coordination in economic development and national defense. At the same time, the requirements for administrative management, defense, and security assurance, and building armed forces aligned with the two-tier local government model have placed higher demands on advisory capacity and organizational execution.

In this context, the armed forces must continue to uphold a strong sense of responsibility, maintain ideological steadfastness, and preserve solidarity and consensus; proactively assess and forecast developments; effectively advise Party committees and local authorities to promptly address sensitive issues and prevent passivity or surprise; while further promoting the proud 80-year tradition of the Armed Forces of Military Region 7 and Dong Nai Province to successfully complete all assigned tasks in the new phase.

The 1st Provincial Military Party Congress of Dong Nai Province for the 2025–2030 term reached consistent orientations and objectives: building a transparent and strong Party organization; developing comprehensively strong units that are “exemplary and model”; successfully fulfilling assigned missions; effectively advising on strengthening military and defense potential; building an all-people national defense, all-people national defense posture, all-people’s border defence posture closely linked with the people-based security posture; establishing a firm, comprehensive defensive zone to meet the requirements of protecting the locality, safeguarding borders, and defending the Fatherland in the new situation.

The Congress also identified specific targets for the 2025–2030 term. Annually, over 95% of agencies and units are expected to meet standards of strong, comprehensive, and exemplary performance; 100% achieve the digital transformation targets set out in the plan; 100% meet the production enhancement targets; 100% of Party organizations fulfill their assigned tasks, of which over 90% of organizations and Party members perform their duties well; and 100% of units maintain absolute political safety…

Three strategic breakthroughs were also defined, including: improving the quality and effectiveness of advisory work in local military and defense tasks, border control tasks, ensuring strong military and defense tasks from the grassroots level, improving the quality of standardized military construction, management, maintaining the strict observance of disciplines, and ensuring absolute safety; accelerating the application of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation within the provincial armed forces.

In 2025, military and defense tasks were comprehensively fulfilled. Notably, within six months after the provincial merger, despite numerous challenges, the Provincial Military Party Committee and Military Command effectively advised the Party Committee, Command of Military Region 7, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People’s Committee to ensure smooth and coherent leadership and direction on military and defense missions, achieving comprehensive and, even outstanding results in many areas.

Specifically, the provincial armed forces had to stabilize all aspects while carefully and thoroughly preparing to take the lead on certain tasks assigned by Military Region 7. These included organizing the successful Party Congress of the Defensive Zone Command No. 3 – Dong Xoai, serving as a pilot model for other defensive zone units across Military Region 7. Following this success, the Provincial Military Party Committee was selected to host the model Provincial Military Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term, yielding valuable experiences and lessons.

Speaking at the Conference Reviewing military and defense work of Dong Nai province in 2025, Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Commander of the Dong Nai Provincial Military Command, said that, the primary reason for achieving such results is that the Provincial Military Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command have consistently implemented and adhered to the leadership and direction of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People’s Committee, as well as the Party Committee and Command of Military Region 7. Based on this, policies and directives were thoroughly implemented across all agencies, units, officers, and soldiers through appropriate methods and approaches. Awareness among officers, soldiers, and across the armed forces continued to improve, ensuring constant preparedness to receive and excellently complete all assigned tasks.

The glorious achievements accumulated over 80 years of building, combat, and growth remain a solid foundation for today’s officers and soldiers of the Dong Nai armed forces to take pride in and strive to fulfill their duties with excellence. They continue to uphold and honor the proud tradition of the heroic army and the heroic armed forces of Binh Phuoc – Dong Nai, worthy of being the core force in safeguarding the Party, the State, and the People in the locality.

By Nguyet Ha, Translated by Thuy Trang, Thu Ha