Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and the leadership of Army Corps 12 based in the northern province of Ninh Bình on August 5. — VNA/VNS Photo

NINH BÌNH — Party General Secretary Tô Lâm has asked Army Corps 12 to focus on political and ideological education while developing officers and soldiers with strong political mettle, ready to serve as the military’s “steel fist.”

Paying a working visit on Tuesday to the unit, stationed in the northern province of Ninh Bình, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2), the Party chief stressed the need for the corps to thoroughly understand and implement the Party and State’s policies, particularly the resolution adopted at the 13th Party Central Committee’s eighth plenum on the strategy to defend the Fatherland in the new situation.

Party General Secretary Lâm called for readiness to accomplish any mission as a strong, elite and modern mobile unit, urging the corps to preserve and promote the proud legacy of the Vietnam People’s Army in the new revolutionary phase.

After acknowledging the corps’ achievements in stabilising its organisation, maintaining training and readiness standards, building an exemplary unit, improving the Party building work, developing close ties with the people and cultivating unity and responsibility within its troops, the Party leader highlighted that future army building, national defence consolidation and homeland protection will require the corps’ leaders to develop more substantive approaches, innovate thinking, set examples, and sacrifice personal interests for troops and missions.

He called for active coordination with localities and units following the implementation of the two-tier local government model to establish a coherent all-people defence posture, underscoring the need to complete combat readiness plans, regional defence operations, and civil defence measures promptly. They must also maintain strict combat readiness to avoid passivity or surprise in any situation.

He underscored that Army Corps 12 must fulfil its dual role as both a combat unit and a production one, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality where it is stationed.

As a key combat corps, it must demonstrate breakthrough determination in developing science and technology as well as promote innovation and digital transformation suitable for military and defence missions, he said, stressing that the unit must build each officer and soldier into a "digital warrior" fluent in digital tools and possesses digital skills for mission execution.

The Party chief requested regular attention to building strong and exemplary Party committees and organisations at all levels. Army Corps  12 must make meticulous preparation for its first Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, leading to the 12th Military Party Congress and the 14th National Party Congress, ensuring democracy, unity and consensus. He also urged continued promotion of studying and following President Hồ Chí Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle while resolutely opposing individualism in the new situation, strengthening internal political protection work, and safeguarding the Party's ideological foundation.

Additionally, he asked the corps to improve the material and spiritual lives of its soldiers, ensuring they wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland and the people.

Earlier, the Party chief offered incense at the memorial to the fallen heroes of the corps, toured its museum, and planted trees in the courtyard of the unit's headquarters. — VNS