Dong Nai youth ready to join the army to defend the Fatherland

More than 5,200 citizens selected for military service and time-limited participation in the People’s Public Security Force have received their enlistment decisions for 2026.

Hoang Manh Thuong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council, and Political Officer of the Military Command of Loc Tan Commune (third from left), presents gifts and encourages youth selected for military service. Photo: courtesy of the Loc Tan Commune

Of these, more than 4,500 citizens will join units under the Ministry of National Defense, Military Region 7, and the Provincial Military Command, while over 700 others will undertake time-limited service in the People’s Public Security Force. The Provincial Military Command, as the standing agency of the Provincial Military Service Council, has advised the province to direct relevant departments, boards, sectors, and localities to remain attentive, closely monitor the situation, and provide encouragement to help young people feel confident about enlisting and fulfill their duty to defend the country in the days ahead.

Party members volunteer to join the army

In his application for voluntary military service, Party member Dao Tan Dat (residing at An Lam hamlet, Long Thanh commune) wrote, "I aspire to become a soldier of the Vietnam People’s Army, to wear the green uniform of a serviceman. Submitting this application allows me to fulfill my dream of becoming Uncle Ho’s soldier and demonstrate the exemplary spirit of a Party member who is ready to defend the Fatherland.”

On the day he received his enlistment decision, Dat arrived very early, neatly dressed, and represented many young people in delivering remarks. During the speech, he affirmed his determination to strive for maturity in the military environment and to live up to the traditions of his hometown and uphold the pioneering role of a Party member.

It is reported that twin brothers Dao Tan Dat and Dao Tan Phat both submitted their voluntary enlistment applications, but only Dat met the health and other criteria required for enlistment. Despite graduating from a college in Ho Chi Minh City and earning a monthly income of over 10 million VND, Dat’s love for the military environment and his long-held dream of becoming Uncle Ho’s soldier drive him to volunteer for enlistment.

Party member Nguyen Hoang Viet (25, residing in Bien Hoa ward) expressed joy upon receiving his enlistment decision. Viet stated that young people living in peacetime must strive harder to be worthy of the sacrifices made by previous generations. After the Lunar New Year, he prepared himself mentally and emotionally, ready to join his unit and contribute to national defense in the coming spring.

According to Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Commander of the Provincial Military Command, reports from 95 commune-level units and his direct inspections at several commune and ward military commands show that in 2026 there are 4,500 citizens called up for enlistment, including 87 Party members. All these Party members volunteered to enlist and serve the nation in the current context.

Keeping a firm grasp of all aspects of the situation

At the early-spring 2026 conference, Colonel Vo Thanh Danh emphasized that recruitment and enlistment for military service are important tasks and one of the mandatory targets that must be fulfilled from the beginning of the year. Agencies, units, and localities must remain attentive and closely monitor all aspects, particularly as the handover ceremony approaches.

“Proactively monitoring the overall situation and encouraging young people to confidently fulfill their military service obligations in accordance with the law reflects the duty and responsibility of today’s youth toward national defense. The Provincial Military Service Council and localities must continue to stay close and promptly address any arising issues. For those who have been selected and received their enlistment orders, it is essential to maintain good health and be fully prepared for the day they depart to serve the nation," he emphasized.

According to the Provincial Military Service Council, as of February 23 (the seventh day of the Lunar New Year), all 4,500 selected citizens had received their enlistment decisions. The Provincial Military Command has advised the province to assign council members to closely oversee the situation, organize visits and present gifts to encourage recruits ahead of departure.

According to Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, inspections across localities also show the Military Service Councils of communes and wards throughout the province have paid close attention and properly implemented policies such as visiting and presenting Tet gifts to recruits and their families, helping them feel secure in fulfilling their obligations. The respectful organization of 2026 ceremonies welcoming soldiers who have completed their service, along with vocational training or job placement support, also helps reassure those preparing for enlistment.

Hoang Manh Thuong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council, and Political Officer of the Military Command of Loc Tan Commune, noted that thanks to close monitoring, 100% of local recruits were present on time to receive their enlistment decisions despite the timing close to Tet, and all expressed happiness and readiness to defend the Fatherland.

He also said that in 2026, Loc Tan commune was assigned to recruit 47 citizens for military and limited-term public security service, including 38 citizens for military service. All are currently present in the locality and ready to depart.

“To help youth feel secure in fulfilling their military service, the Party committee, authority, the Fatherland Front and mass organizations have assigned Military Service Council members to closely monitor the recruits’ ideological situation, mobilize benefactors to present Tet gifts to 100% of selected citizens, and prepare gifts for enlistment day,” he added.

With limited time remaining before the troop handover date, the continued involvement of the entire political system, Party committee, authority, and people from all walks of life in strengthening ideological work and encouragement provides positive signals for the first recruitment season under the two-level local government model, ensuring the fulfillment of targets and quality in all aspects.

By Nguyet Ha – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha