In October 2026, the entire military maintained a strict state of combat readiness, exercising rigorous control over the nation’s airspace, maritime zones, borders, interior territory, and cyberspace. Efforts were focused on ensuring secure communications, cryptographic operations, and cybersecurity to prevent any unforeseen or disadvantageous situations, thereby firmly safeguarding territorial sovereignty and coordinating to uphold political security, social order, and safety across the country.
Civil defence exercises involving Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia; defensive combat drills for Military Region 4; and live-fire exercises conducted by various units were organised with precision and safety, successfully meeting all established objectives and requirements. Preparations for exercises involving the Ha Noi Capital High Command and the 12th Corps were also actively underway.
Military forces intensified controls to prevent illegal entry and exit, while countering subversive activities along the borders, at sea, and on the islands. The Navy, Border Guard, Coast Guard, and standing militia maritime squadrons remained in a state of combat readiness across key maritime areas. Furthermore, decisive action was taken to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The military mobilised over 12,500 personnel — including officers, soldiers, and militia members — along with more than 540 vehicles to assist in recovery efforts following floods and landslides in the northern and central provinces.
Training, education, instruction, exercises, competitions, and sports tournaments were carried out in a synchronised manner, ensuring both quality and safety. Military sports teams secured a total of 102 medals. The entire military has strictly maintained standardised routines, discipline management, and training; the number of disciplinary violations decreased by 4.77% compared to September 2026.
Emphasis has been placed on political education, ideological leadership, and information and propaganda efforts. The study, dissemination, and implementation of resolutions and directives from the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat have been carried out rigorously. The military achieved high honours in the sixth central-level political essay contest on “Protecting the Party’s Ideological Foundation.” Emulation and commendation activities were conducted with strict adherence to criteria, resulting in the review and recommendation for awards for over 700 collectives and individuals.
Civil-military relations, policy implementation, and “gratitude” activities (honouring those who have rendered services to the nation) continued to be carried out effectively. Under the “500-Day-and-Night Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Recovery, and Identification of Martyrs’ Remains”, the military recovered 3,895 sets of martyrs’ remains, processed and preserved nearly 130,600 samples, and completed the collection of samples from martyrs’ remains across all 34 provinces and cities involved in the initiative.
In his concluding remarks, General Phan Van Giang commended the agencies and units for their dedicated efforts and proactive approach in comprehensively fulfilling their assigned tasks — notably the successful execution of the defensive operations exercise for Military Region 4 and the defensive zone exercise for Quang Ninh City.
General Phan Van Giang directed all agencies and units to maintain strict combat readiness; to accurately monitor, assess, and forecast the situation; and to proactively provide counsel and effectively address emerging scenarios, ensuring that the military is never caught off guard or unprepared. He also called for the rigorous and safe organisation of exercises for the Ha Noi Capital High Command and the 12th Army Corps, as well as all exercises involving live-fire training.
Continued efforts must be made to innovate and improve the quality of training, education, competitions, and sports events. The assignment of quotas for the recruitment and enlistment of citizens for military service in 2027 must be carried out in strictly accordance with regulations.
Additionally, focus should be placed on enhancing the development and operational effectiveness of the reserve forces, the militia and self-defence forces, and the military command committees at the commune level. Strengthen disciplinary management measures to ensure the unit remains stable and secure across all activities.
