In an effort to show its continued commitment to transparency in defense sphere, Vietnam releases new defense white paper

Present at the meeting were also representatives of defense agencies, the Central Commission for Information and Communications, Central Commission for External Affairs, Presidential Office, National Assembly Office and other ministries as well as foreign diplomats, defense attaches, journalists from domestic and international press and media agencies.

Two major new points in the 2019 National Defense White Paper

At the meeting, Vice Director of the Defense Institute on Strategies Major General Nguyen Van Than briefed the participants on the theme of the white paper. He stressed that the document clarifies Vietnam’s defense policy with several adjustments in comparison to the 2009 National Defense White Paper in response to the current situation. It also reaffirms that the nature of Vietnam’s national defense is peace maintenance and self-defense. According to General Than, Vietnam’s publication of the 2019 National Defense White Paper shows the transparency in the country’s defense policy and defense capabilities.

General Vinh introduces the white paper

The 2019 National Defense White Paper, which has two versions: English and Vietnamese, consists of three parts. The first part has two main discussions: strategic context and defense policy. In the first discussion, the paper gives a review of the world situation, regional situation and domestic situation while it explains Vietnam’s defense policy, strategy for Fatherland protection, defense and military strategies as well as defense relations and cooperation in the second discussion.

The second part focuses on four topics: building national defense capabilities, building defense forces, building the all-people defense posture, leadership and management over national defense. The building of national defense capabilities means the consolidation of the political system by continuously promoting political and ideological education for Party members, State officials, public servants and all people.

This part of the paper shows Vietnam’s view on the building of national defense capabilities. Accordingly, national defense capabilities are mainly constituted of socio-economic development, cultural values, scientific and technological advancement along with strong military power. The part also discusses the building of the national defense forces with the participation of the entire people, the building of the Vietnam People’s Army, the building of the militia and self-defense forces, the building of a firm defense posture in the people’s heart, the combination of socio-economic development and national defense and security, the building of military regions, provinces and cities into a comprehensive firm defense system to protect the country. Further in this part, the paper highlights the direct and absolute leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and over defense affairs and the Vietnam People’s Army.

Meanwhile, the final part focuses discussion on the Vietnam People’s Army and militia and self-defense forces. In this part, the paper introduces the history of the Vietnam People’s Army and militia and self-defense forces, their main functions and missions, the organization of the Ministry of National Defense, and orientations for the development of the Vietnam People’s Army and militia and self-defense forces.

Delegates at the event

Speaking at the meeting, General Vinh stated that the strategic context has changed with new and additional challenges for Vietnam’s national defense since 2009 when Vietnam last published a national defense white paper. Furthermore, there have been new developments in military arts, new policies in building and protecting the Fatherland, new directions for the building of the Vietnam People’s Army to meet the new requirements for the country’s national defense and to catch up with the military development of countries in the region and world. As a result, the 2019 National Defense White Paper has two new points in comparison to that released in 2009.

General Vinh also affirmed that Vietnam’s publication of the 2019 National Defense White Paper aims to make public the country’s defense policy and defense capabilities in an effort to promote mutual understanding and build confidence between Vietnam and other countries, which serve as foundations for Vietnam to expand defense cooperation with other countries in addressing common security challenges for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and world. 

The publication of this paper also gives Vietnamese people an insight into the country’s policy on the development of national defense, helps all Vietnamese citizens, particularly the young generation, to promote patriotism, raise their sense of responsibility for national defense and actively participate in the country construction and defense cause.

General Vinh also stressed that the objectives of the strategy for Fatherland protection is to firmly safeguard national independence, freedom, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national interests; to protect the Party, State and people; to ensure national security, public order and safety; and create a stable peaceful environment for national socio-economic development.

Vietnam’s defense policy features peace and self-defense

According to General Vinh, Vietnam’s 2019 National Defense White Paper reaffirms that the basic principles of Vietnam’s defense policy are peace and self-defense. Accordingly, Vietnam will not join any military alliances, will not associate with one party to oppose another, will not allow foreign countries to set up a military in the country or use its territory to oppose the third party, and will not use force or threaten the use of force in international relations.

The Vietnamese defense minister explained, “Vietnam’s defense policy and the white paper both underline peace and self-defense as the basic tenets of its national defense cause. We, Vietnamese people, always desire peace and pursue a consistent policy to address any disputes with other countries by peaceful means. We build our national defense capabilities for peaceful purposes. Once the country is invaded, we have to bear arms but our struggle is for peace. In other words, we only resort to the use of the military power to self-defend when the country is attacked, and the national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national interests are violated.”

Vietnam’s 2019 National Defense Paper also defines main contents of international integration of the defense sector and defense cooperation. According to the document, Vietnam wishes to promote defense relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral terms with the aim of fostering stability, peace and development in the region and world, increasing strategic trust between Vietnam and other countries, and seeking more support from the international community. In its defense policy, the country wants to promote defense cooperation with all countries in the world, albeit attaching much importance to its neighboring countries, comprehensive partners and strategic partners.

“Vietnam’s defense policy includes both cooperation and struggle but it gives first and foremost priority to cooperation. In promoting its defense cooperation with other countries and international organizations, Vietnam aims to safeguard its land and people from a distance and tries its best to contribute to security, stability and peace in the region and world. So we place our interests and peace in the interests and peace of the region and the world as a whole. Alongside striving for agreements in defense relations, we frankly point out differences between us and other countries so as to seek appropriate approaches to settle the issues and protect our national interests. In short, we will uncompromisingly struggle against anything that harms our national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political system. All of these views are clearly reflected in the 2019 National Defense White Paper,” General Vinh underscored. 

Translated by Thu Nguyen