Hanoi, October 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm has called on the Central Military Commission to strengthen the military’s capacity to monitor, forecast and respond to security developments, ensuring that Việt Nam is not caught off guard, particularly on strategic issues, borders, seas and islands, and cyberspace.
Tô Lâm made the remarks while chairing the third conference of the Central Military Commission for the 2025–2030 term on Wednesday. The conference reviewed military and defence tasks during the third quarter of 2026 and identified priorities for the fourth quarter.
The Party and State leader urged the commission to continue directing the entire military to proactively monitor and accurately assess developments and provide timely strategic advice to the Party and State.
He stressed the importance of completing strategies and plans for protecting the Fatherland “early and from afar”, while effectively addressing both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
The military must maintain and improve combat readiness and ensure its capacity to successfully respond to all situations, Tô Lâm said. He also called for stronger training and education, more exercises and intensified efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The leader further urged the military to proactively implement civil defence plans to ensure effective responses to emergencies and other contingencies.
Preparations for Major National Events
The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence were instructed to closely follow directions from the Party Central Committee and promptly develop schemes and plans for major events scheduled for 2030.
A key task will be coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies in organizing commemorative ceremonies, military parades and marches marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.
Tô Lâm also called for continued efforts to build a politically strong military and a clean and comprehensively strong Military Party Organisation.
He stressed the need to strengthen political education and ideological work to reinforce political steadfastness and promote the qualities and cultural values associated with “Uncle Hồ’s Soldiers” in the new era.
Mass mobilisation and policy work should continue to receive close attention, particularly the “500-day-and-night campaign” aimed at accelerating the search for, collection and identification of martyrs’ remains.
The Ministry of National Defence was also tasked with completing a project to develop a nationwide terrestrial digital radio and television broadcasting network serving as a strategic national backup system for submission to the Party Central Committee Secretariat.
The Party General Secretary and State President further called for stronger international integration and defence diplomacy.
He instructed the military to make comprehensive preparations for the third Việt Nam International Defence Expo in 2026, noting that the event would contribute to promoting the international standing and reputation of the Việt Nam People’s Army and the country.
The military was also asked to coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in implementing preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for 2027.
Strengthening the Military’s Strategic Advisory Role
According to the conference report, during the third quarter of 2026, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence effectively advised the Party and State on military, defence and national security matters.
The military closely monitored developments and proposed timely measures to maintain strategic initiative and protect the Fatherland “from early and from afar”.
It continued to play a core role in building a strong and modern all-people national defence, working with central agencies and localities to strengthen grassroots political systems, combine socio-economic development with defence consolidation, and respond to non-traditional security challenges and emergencies.
Combat readiness was maintained, with close management of airspace, territorial waters, border areas, border gates, inland areas and cyberspace.
Efforts to combat IUU fishing were also intensified through strengthened communications and enforcement measures.
The report highlighted progress in Party building, logistics, technical services, military science and defence industry development, as well as administrative reform and digital transformation.
The military continued developing the defence industry under the 2026 theme, “Determined to research and produce advanced and modern weapons and equipment,” while implementing the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign.
International integration and defence diplomacy also continued to advance through bilateral and multilateral channels, with preparations for the Việt Nam International Defence Expo 2026 underway.
