Dong Nai youth enthusiastically set off to defend the Fatherland

This morning (March 4), more than 5,200 youths from Dong Nai province selected for military service and people’s public security service enthusiastically set off to defend the Fatherland.

Leaders of Binh Loc ward visit and encourage local youths departing for military service at the 2026 military enlistment camp. Photo: Thanh Nhan

Among them, 4,500 citizens were enlisted into units of the Ministry of National Defense, Military Region 7, and the Dong Nai Provincial Military Command, while more than 700 young people joined the People’s Public Security force for fixed-term service. The year 2026 marks the first time recruitment has been carried out under the two-tier local government model. Despite the initial difficulties and unfamiliar procedure, all preparations were successfully completed, enabling all local enlisted youth to feel encouraged, thanks to the participation of the entire political system.

Striving to fulfill the responsibilities of youth

According to the Provincial Military Service Council, although this is the first year implementing recruitment under the two-tier local government model, effective communication and mobilization efforts have encouraged young people across the province to enthusiastically fulfill their civic duty and youth responsibility to enlist and defend the Fatherland.

In many communes and wards, 100% of those who passed the recruitment were volunteers who submitted handwritten applications to join the army. Many youths expressed their strong determination to join the army despite their unprivileged background, such as Nguyen Thanh Trung (from Long Phuoc commune), who volunteered for service even though his father had passed away and his mother alone supports the family. Similarly, Party member Nguyen Hai Nam (from Tran Bien ward), who has a stable, high‑income job but still volunteered to enlist to contribute his youth in gratitude to the sacrifices of previous generations.

The Tran Bien ward Military Service Council encourages Party member Nguyen Hai Nam before his 2026 enlistment. Photo: Nguyet Ha

The 2026 recruitment season in Dong Nai province also recorded several cases of twin brothers or two siblings from the same family both volunteering and successfully passing the recruitment for military service. These include Trinh Tan Phat and Trinh Tan Dat (An Lam hamlet, Long Thanh commune); Le Quoc Khanh and Le Quoc Bao (quarter 19, Long Binh ward); and twin brothers Le Nguyen Gia Huy and Le Nguyen Gia Bao (Nhon Trach Commune).

The 2026 troop handover and enlistment ceremony in Dong Nai province will be held at six locations. Regional Defense Command 1 – Long Thanh has been selected as the main venue at the Provincial Convention Center in Tan Trieu ward, with leaders from the Ministry of National Defense, Military Region 7, and Dong Nai province expected to attend. At the remaining locations, the Provincial Military Service Council assigned provincial leaders and council members to attend and encourage the young people before enlistment.

These young people clearly recognize their obligations of youth and civic responsibilities. When sharing their hopes and aspirations, many of them view the military as a “great school” that helps them grow and become more mature. Nguyen Thanh Trung (from Long Phuoc commune) shared, "My father has passed away, but his wish was to see me grow up, live well, and contribute to society. I also want to join the army and make my small contribution to building a regular, elite and modern  military.”

Many localities have done well in communication and mobilization, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere among youths preparing to enlist. For example, Ho Nai ward has 84 youths receiving enlistment orders, including 4 joining the people’s public security forces. Among the 80 youths joining military units, 70 (87.5 percent) are religious followers, and 21 out of 80 have college or university degrees (26.25 percent); 100 percent voluntarily submitted enlistment applications. The communes of Dai Phuoc, Long Phuoc, Tan Tien, and Binh Phuoc ward are among the localities with many youths volunteering for military service.

Creating favorable conditions in all aspects

According to Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Commander of the Provincial Military Command, and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial Military Service Council, among the 4,500 recruits joining military units, more than 1,900 will serve in units of the Ministry of National Defense, while the rest will join units under Military Region 7 and the Provincial Military Command.

“The results of the 2026 recruitment show that the overall quality of this year’s recruits is higher across multiple criteria. More than 2,800 citizens meet health standards for types 1 and 2 (nearly 63 percent); most have educational levels from lower secondary school upward, with the majority being high school graduates. Those with intermediate, college, or university qualifications account for more than 18 percent, and 72 recruits are Party members, including 58 official Party members, exceeding the assigned target of 1% by over 0.2%," Colonel Vo Thanh Danh added.

Also according to Colonel Vo Thanh Danh, the Provincial Military Service Council assigned the Provincial Military Command to coordinate with transport enterprises to provide buses to transport recruits from enlistment locations to training units under Military Region 7. Units receiving recruits from the Ministry of National Defense will arrange their own transportation. A total of 4,500 sets of military uniforms and equipment (10 items per set) have been prepared according to regulations. Additional equipment will be issued to the 540 recruits after Regiment 736 completes its reception and organization.

For the 540 new soldiers from Dong Nai and 98 training officers, the Provincial Military Service Council instructed commune‑level councils to advise local People’s Committees to provide additional meal allowances during training, averaging 6,500 VND per person per day.

Before, during, and after the Lunar New Year, local authorities have actively implemented policies in support of the enlistees’ families, including visits and gift-giving activities. On average, each recruit received gifts worth about 1.5 million VND before enlistment. Some localities provided higher levels of support, such as Ho Nai ward (about 3.5 million VND per recruit), Trang Bom commune (2.9-3.2 million VND), and Dai Phuoc commune (1.5-2 million VND).

Before the enlistment ceremony, on the afternoon and evening of March 3, 100 percent of commune-level units organized enlistment camps with various meaningful activities to educate about revolutionary traditions, including gift-giving and cultural performances, helping the young people feel confident and ready to serve.

Speaking at the 2025 Military – National Defense Review Conference, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut emphasized:

Dong Nai youth will excellently fulfill their duties to the Fatherland and the homeland

One of the mandatory targets the province must complete early in 2026 is the handover and reception of recruits. With thorough preparation and close coordination by the Provincial Military Service Council, I believe Dong Nai young people will enthusiastically enlist and excellently fulfill their duties to the Fatherland and the homeland…

Colonel Pham Quang Huy, Commander of Brigade 96 under the Artillery and Missile Command:

Ready to receive raw recruits for training

In 2026, Brigade 96 will receive 220 soldiers from Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces. The brigade has organized four training courses for officers, non-commissioned officers, technical staff, and training cadres. The team responsible for receiving raw recruits has been carefully prepared, ensuring close coordination with the soldiers. Therefore, young people can feel confident and quickly integrate into the new environment for effective training and learning.

Party member Nguyen Xuan Dung from Tap Phuoc hamlet, Long Phuoc commune:

Setting an example in fulfilling civic duty

I am very happy to be selected for military service. Becoming a soldier has been my dream since my school days. I will continue striving and setting a good example in completing all assigned tasks, worthy of being a revolutionary soldier.

By Nguyet Ha – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha