General Secretary Tô Lâm, Secretary of the Central Military Commission, met and encouraged young military representatives on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Việt Nam People's Army. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Tô Lâm urged military youth to cultivate great aspirations grounded in self-confidence, self-control, self-reliance and national pride at a meeting with young officers and soldiers and in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

In his speech, the Party leader expressed pride in the resilience, solidarity, optimism, awareness, ambition, aspirations, and maturity of the young soldiers. He noted that even those who had been in the military for only a year had demonstrated remarkable discipline and confidence.

He emphasised that throughout the revolutionary journey, the Party has always valued the role of youth, recognising them as the vanguard of the revolution and entrusting them with unwavering faith. Under the Party's leadership and the care of the nation, generations of Vietnamese youth, including military youth, have emerged as pioneers ready to sacrifise for revolutionary ideals.

He highlighted the Việt Nam Propaganda Liberation Army Team, the precursor to the Việt Nam People's Army, which was formed with 34 of the most outstanding young revolutionaries, selected from the Party’s armed forces and personally trained by President Hồ Chí Minh. With the support and protection of the people, they grew stronger and achieved significant victories.

During the prolonged and arduous wars against colonial and imperial invaders, military youth-led critical movements, contributing to the defence of the North, the liberation of the South and the unification of the country. These sacrifices laid the foundation for the nation to enter a new era of independence and socialism.

As Việt Nam entered the era of national construction and defence, successive generations of military youth carried forward this glorious tradition, devoting their energy, talent, and intellect to the service of the nation and its people, Lâm noted. He cited movements such as 'Striving to embody Uncle Hồ’s Soldiers' and 'Military youth advancing in science and technology', which have inspired young soldiers to overcome challenges, lead in innovation and serve wherever the nation and people need them most.

Vietnamese military youth, he said, have played vital roles in disaster relief, poverty alleviation, rural development and community support. Their contributions have cemented the image of the soldier as a symbol of national unity, embodying the noble qualities of 'Uncle Hồ's Soldiers'.

Reflecting on the recent 10th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, Lâm stated that after 40 years of renewal, Việt Nam is poised to enter a new era of development and prosperity. Achieving these aspirations relies heavily on youth, with military youth playing a central and pioneering role.

The Party leader called on military youth to focus on three main areas. He urged them to strive for self-improvement by fostering revolutionary ethics, loyalty to the nation and dedication to the people. He emphasised the importance of continuously training themselves in both moral and intellectual capacities, following President Hồ Chí Minh's teachings. He also encouraged them to cultivate ambition and a desire for progress, being prepared to undertake challenging tasks and lead initiatives that benefit the nation. Furthermore, he emphasised the need for military youth to take the lead in modernising the armed forces, supporting national digital transformation and contributing to socio-economic development in this new revolutionary phase.

For Party committees and leaders at all levels, Lâm highlighted six priorities. He called for innovation in recruiting, training, and developing talented young military personnel while strengthening youth movements to inspire commitment and growth. He stressed the importance of incorporating youth into practical missions to hone their skills and intensifying political and ideological education to deepen revolutionary ideals. He also urged the development of concrete plans to equip youth with the knowledge and skills necessary for industrialisation and modernisation. Finally, he emphasised the need to create strategies to harness the potential of those who complete military service to contribute to national development.

President Hồ Chí Minh once said: “Youth is the future. To have a good future, one must seize it with determination and willpower.” Lâm expressed his belief that many of those present would rise to become future generals, senior officers and leaders of the armed forces.

“I am confident that, with your unwavering spirit, military youth will continue to honour the heroic traditions of the Việt Nam People's Army. Together, we will safeguard the revolutionary achievements and build a peaceful, prosperous and strong nation,” he concluded. — VNS