Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaking at the conference. Photo: VOV

The "three don’ts" are do not be negligent; do not be passive or surprised, especially towards strategic areas, important partners, and hostile forces; and do not be confused, delayed, or inflexible in handling newly arising issues.

At the conference to review the leadership and direction over military and defense affairs in the first six months of 2024 and launch tasks for the rest of the year, the PM said that the more challenging the situation develops, the heavier military-defense tasks become.

He underlined the need to research and develop military art and operations to respond to high-tech warfare, while improving the quality of training and drills, and enhancing the commanding and combat coordination capacity.

He reminded the Vietnam People’s Army to continue fulfilling civil defense tasks, effectively responding to non-traditional security challenges, and playing the key role in natural disaster prevention and control, incident response, and search and rescue activities.

Along with effectively implementing programs, plans and projects in logistics - engineering and defense industry, and pioneering in innovation, the army should also take the lead in promoting digital economy, green economy, and circular economy while paying greater attention to attracting talents and improving living conditions for officers and soldiers, especially those based in far-flung, border, and maritime areas, PM Chinh requested.

Together with reinforcing the people-based defense, the army should actively, comprehensively, and effectively deploy international integration and the defense external relations work, thus maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, according to the PM.