NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn encourages new recruits at the military enlistment ceremony in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Military enlistment ceremonies for 2026 were held in several localities across the country, drawing a large number of outstanding young people eager to devote their youth to the nation.

Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn attended a military handover and enlistment ceremony in HCM City.

In recent years, the city has fulfilled 100 per cent of its enlistment targets, with recruitment quality steadily improving. The selection process has been conducted in a democratic, transparent and law-abiding manner.

Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee and Head of the municipal Military Service Council Nguyễn Văn Được said in an address that the young people present were the first to enlist following the city’s administrative merger. 

They represent the vitality of a special urban centre, the spirit of unity and integration of the newly consolidated locality, and the aspiration for advancement of the city named after President Hồ Chí Minh, he noted.

The deputy secretary urged the recruits to remain absolutely loyal to the Fatherland, the Party and the people, strictly observe the discipline of the military and public security forces, devote themselves to study and training, foster solidarity and comradeship and stand ready to successfully fulfil all assigned tasks.

Được expressed confidence that the new recruits would carry forward the heroic traditions of HCM City, continue to grow and excel, and contribute to the proud legacy of the Việt Nam People’s Army and the Việt Nam People’s Public Security force.

He also called on leaders and commanders of receiving units to continue paying attention to the education and training of young soldiers from the city, creating favourable conditions for their comprehensive development so that they may become both politically steadfast and professionally competent, worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people.

New recruits in Thanh Trì Commune.

In Hà Nội, nearly 5,000 outstanding youths set off on Wednesday morning to join the armed forces. Among them, more than 2,300 volunteered by submitting written applications for military service.

Secretary of the Hà Nội Party Committee Nguyễn Duy Ngọc attended the ceremony at Enlistment Handover Point 4 – Area 3 Defence Command in Hồng Hà, where he presented gifts and saw off the new recruits.

Secretary of the Hà Nội Party Committee Nguyễn Duy Ngọc bids farewell to the new recruits.

Major General Đào Văn Nhận, commander of the Hà Nội Capital Command, said in his address that of the nearly 5,000 citizens joining military service this year, 1,447 hold university, college or professional secondary qualifications, and 226 were admitted to the Communist Party of Việt Nam prior to enlistment.

Speaking on behalf of the recruits, Nguyễn Văn Nam pledged to uphold the revolutionary tradition and enthusiastically fulfil his duties in the military and the People’s Public Security force. He confirmed his readiness to undertake and successfully complete all tasks assigned by the Party, the State, the military, the public security force and the people, while actively studying and training to become an exemplary soldier.

The Đà Nẵng People’s Committee also held enlistment handover ceremonies for more than 4,600 new recruits at 14 locations across the city on Wednesday.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Văn Hiền, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of National Defence, attended and encouraged young people at Handover Point 1 (Area 1 Defence Command – Cẩm Lệ).

At the handover sites, ceremonies were conducted solemnly, efficiently and in accordance with regulations. City leaders, representatives of receiving units, along with family members and Youth Union members, were present to encourage and see off the new recruits. 

The atmosphere was both dignified and warm, reflecting the trust and expectations of the Party organisation, authorities and people toward the younger generation.

Deputy Secretary of the Đà Nẵng Party Committee Ngô Xuân Thắng said the city’s 2026 conscription and enlistment work was carried out strictly in line with the law, ensuring democracy, transparency and fairness. The quality of recruits has continued to improve in terms of health, educational level and political awareness, Thắng added.

In 2026, across Military Region 5, about 51.8 per cent of enlistees were classified as health category 1 or 2, up 1.9 percentage points from 2025, while the proportion holding college or university degrees rose by 2 per cent year on year.

A new recruit in Phú Thọ Province on Wednesday.

The ceremonies will continue across the country on Thursday and Friday. — VNS