On December 19, 1946, the first barrages from Lang Fortress thundered across the capital, signalling the outbreak of national resistance. These opening salvos affirmed the nation’s determination for independence and inaugurated the combat tradition of Vietnamese artillery.
During the resistance war against French colonialism, the artillery forces steadily expanded, evolving from company level to battalions, regiments and eventually the engineer‑artillery division. Artillery units were deployed across battlefields nationwide.
When artillery shells struck the Him Lam fortified stronghold at Dien Bien Phu on the afternoon of March 13, 1954, French forces experienced for the first time the full might of Vietnamese artillery.
Over 56 days and nights, artillery suppressed Muong Thanh airfield, shelled key positions, severed enemy air supply routes, and played a decisive role in securing the globe‑shaking Dien Bien Phu Victory.
Across eight decades, countless officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives, their blood and bones merging with the soil of the motherland to forge the glorious tradition and indomitable spirit of Vietnamese artillery.
Following this triumph, the Ministry of Defence established the Artillery Command in 1954, and in 1956 the Artillery High Command. This pivotal step transformed artillery into a powerful fire force with increasingly complete organisation.
In the resistance war against the US, artillery entered a new phase of larger‑scale, more intense combat, achieving even greater successes. Along the legendary Truong Son route, at Khe Sanh, Route 9, the Central Highlands, Tri Thien and the South, artillery units fought in the fiercest battles.
During the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, particularly the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, artillery unleashed its full firepower. Coordinating closely with other services, it delivered simultaneous barrages from multiple directions against key targets, paving the way for the rapid advance of the main corps into Saigon, liberating the South and reunifying the country.
Across eight decades, countless officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives, their blood and bones merging with the soil of the motherland to forge the glorious tradition and indomitable spirit of Vietnamese artillery.
Alongside its battlefield achievements, the artillery force is renowned for creativity and resilience — researching and improving equipment and munitions, devising tactics suited to Viet Nam’s conditions, and developing a distinctive military art.
Major General Nguyen Hong Phong, Commander of the Artillery–Missile Command, emphasised that amid complex regional and global developments, and with the Fourth Industrial Revolution introducing modern weapons and new forms of warfare, the Command has continually innovated and modernised its training standards and combat readiness. It has become a powerful force equipped with modern weapon systems, meeting operational requirements in the new context.
Colonel Tran Dinh Manh, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, noted that the Command has refined its combat art, applied modern technology and fulfilled all assigned tasks, meeting national defence requirements in the current situation.
Over the past 80 years, the Artillery–Missile Command has written shining pages of history in sweat and blood, demonstrating absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people, and earning the trust of the Party, State, army and people alike.
Major General Bui Ngoc Tuyen, Political Commissar, stated that the force has thoroughly implemented Directive No. 2423‑CT/QUTW dated November 9, 2023 of the Central Military Commission’s Standing Committee on renewing and improving political education and managing servicemen’s ideology. Each year, the Command completes 100% of its political and legal education plans.
Colonel Le Duc Hoe, Deputy Political Commissar, added that all officers and soldiers demonstrate steadfast political resolve, ready to accept and fulfil assigned tasks. They stand prepared to deploy for rescue operations, disaster relief, civilian support in disaster prevention, new rural construction and strengthening the people‑based defence posture.
Over the past 80 years, the Artillery–Missile Command has written shining pages of history in sweat and blood, demonstrating absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people, and earning the trust of the Party, State, army and people alike.
The Command has been honoured with numerous accolades from the Party and State, including the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, the Ho Chi Minh Order, the Gold Star Order, the First‑Class Independence Order, and many other distinguished decorations.
