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General Nguyen Tan Cuong chairs the meeting. |
The meeting reviewed the military’s task implementation during the Lunar New Year. Throughout the holiday, the entire military strictly maintained command and combat readiness duties. Delegations were organized to visit, inspect combat readiness, and extend greetings to units, particularly those stationed in key areas, border regions, sea and islands, remote areas, and ethnic minority communities.
Patrols and control measures were strengthened to prevent illegal border crossings. A peak campaign was launched across border areas to combat crime, smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods. Agencies and units promoted education and emulation activities celebrating the Party and spring, while effectively implementing the Determined-to-Win Emulation Movement under the theme “Solidarity, Discipline, Breakthrough, Innovation, Determination to Win,” closely linked to the tasks in 2026.
Agencies and units organized traditional Lunar New Year celebrations while preserving national cultural identity, ensuring a joyful, safe, economical holiday and maintaining high combat readiness. Mass mobilization and policy work were carried out effectively nationwide. Fireworks displays at the New Year’s Eve moment were conducted in a strict and absolutely safe manner.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong and delegates paying tribute to President Ho Chi Minh |
Notably, the Ministry of National Defense directed forces to coordinate with Phu Tho province to urgently construct a pontoon bridge across the Lo River, opening it to traffic on the morning of February 16 (the 29th day of the last lunar month of 2025), promptly serving the travel needs of the people.
Addressing the conference, General Nguyen Tan Cuong lauded officers, soldiers, and militia and self-defense forces for obtained results in 2025 and thorough grasping and strict implementation of directives of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense on combat readiness and organization of the Lunar New Year and tasks for 2026.
For 2026, he called on the entire armed forces to thoroughly implement the principles as well as directions by Party General Secretary To Lam at the 15th meeting of the Central Military Commission. He urged pro-active, innovative, and focused execution of tasks in a scientific and practical manner, creating strong momentum from the first days and months of the year.
Key immediate priorities include ensuring troops celebrate the Lunar New Year in a joyful, healthy, safe, and economical manner while maintaining high combat readiness and promptly handling any situation in a timely manner. The armed forces are also tasked with coordinating the successful organization of elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026–2031 term, preparing the handover of enlistees on schedule, ensuring adequate living conditions for new recruits, organizing substantive training, inspecting weapons and equipment, and effectively carrying out the tree-planting festival.
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The Chief of the General Staff visits and extends New Year greetings to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command. |
General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that 2026 marks the beginning of a new term and a new era of national development, aiming to build a modernized military and a strong whole-people national defense, contributing to firmly safeguarding the Fatherland and advancing the country into a new era.
Earlier the same day, General Nguyen Tan Cuong paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Mausoleum and offered incense at House 67 within the Presidential Palace historical site.
The Chief of the General Staff visited and extended New Year greetings to President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Command.
Translated by Tran Hoai