Quân đội thực hiện nhiệm vụ kinh tế gắn với quốc phòng an ninh ở tây nguyên (1985 2013) tt tiếng anh

HUE UNIVERSITY
HUE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

NGUYEN THUY TRANG

THE ARMY’S ECONOMIC IMPLEMENTATION IN
ASSOCIATION WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE AND
SECURITY IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
(1985 - 2013)

Major: Vietnamese History
Code: 9 22 90 13

ABSTRACT OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN HISTORY

HUE, 2020


The work was completed in: Department of History, Hue
University of Education, Hue University

Instructors:
1. Assoc. Prof. - PhD. Tran Ngoc Long
2. PhD. Nguyen Van Hoa

Reviewer 1: Assoc. Prof. - PhD. Dinh Quang Hai

Reviewer 2: Assoc. Prof. - PhD. Nguyen Van Thuong

Reviewer 3: Assoc. Prof. - PhD. Nguyen Van Dang

The thesis will be defended at the grassroot thesis judging
council at ……………………………………………….
At ........ hour ........ date ....... month ....... year.......
The dissertation can be found at Library of Hue University
of Education - Hue University


INTRODUCTION
1. The reason for choosing topic
The Vietnamese for People's Army right from its inception has been
identified by the Party and Leader Ho Chi Minh as "Army for fighting, Army
for working, Army for production" - these three mainly basic functions have
still remained valid so far. In particular, the army’s particiaption in
production and economic construction is the succession and development of
the policy of "building the country along with defending the country" and
"the economy combining with national defense", which was formed early
and existed throughout the history of the nation of Vietnam. The reality has
shown that, regardless of the circumstances, along with doing well the task
of protecting the revolutionary achievements, the army is always proactive
and actively participate in working and production, economic construction
in many appropriate forms and measures, thereby, making an important
contribution to the cause of national liberation, national construction and
defense.
In the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American
imperialism, the Army, besides the task of fighting for defending the
Fatherland, always highlighted the sense of self-reliance for selfimprovement and actively increased production to improve life;
participated in building a large northern rear, on-site logistics base in
strategic regions, contributing to the successful implementation of two
revolutionary strategies: the Socialist Revolution in the North, the
people’s Democratic National Revolution in the South. After the

reunification of the country, the Army was a storm-troop, participated in
restoring and healing the wounds of the war, and at the same time
implemented economic construction programs and projects in
combination with national defense nationwide, mainly in difficult areas,
mountainous areas, border areas and islands. Entering the period of
implementing the renovation process, promoting the cause of
industrialization - modernization, along with the task of training and
preparing willing to combat, the Army was also trusted by Party and the
State and assigned the task of participating in economic development
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associated with strengthening national defense and security in strategic
areas.
The Central Highlands with its natural position, locating at the
Indochinese junction, is always an extremely important strategic location
of the country. This land has many potentials and strengths for economic
development, and there are many ethnic minorities. This was once a
strong base of the national liberation revolution, as well as a place for
refuge and operation of many reactionary organizations. Appreciating the
importance of the Central Highlands, the Party, the State and the Army
have made many strategic plans to turn the Central Highlands into a key,
firm economic region in terms of national defense and security. However,
the current socio-economic situation in the Central Highlands still faces
many difficulties compared to other areas and regions of the country. This
is also a politically sensitive area, where hostile forces often take
advantage of poverty, ethnicity and religion to misrepresent the Party's
guidelines and policies, the State's policies, and disunite great national
unity, incite demonstrations, riots, demand for secession to establish the
so-called " Montagnard Dega Association". Illegal religious activities and

free migration in the area have been complicated. In that context, the
implementation of the socio-economic development strategy associated
with the consolidation of national defense and security in the Central
Highlands region has always been urgently set.
As early as 1973, after the Paris Agreement was signed, the liberation zone
formed in the North Central Highlands, a number of military units locating
in this area were ordered to hold on to their positions for doing task of
economic development, building the on-site rear and assisting the key force
in the southern liberation. Since then, experiencing more than half a century
of working and production, the military units that carried out economic
development associated with national defense consolidation in the Central
Highlands have been bringing prosperous life to thousands of ethnic
households and people from all regions who came here to get set up, forming
a strong economic-defense zone system along the boundery belt bordering
Laos and Cambodia. The presence of military forces undertaking the task of
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combining economy with national defense is of great significance to the
development of all aspects of the Central Highlands.
The military’s process of participation in socio-economic development
associated with the consolidation of national defense and security in the
Central Highlands has provided valuable experiences and also raised
many issues to be solved, from the awareness to the process of
implementing the tasks.
Because of this meaning, I decided to select the matter of "The Army’s
economic implementation in association with national defense and
security in the Central Highlands (1985-2013)" as the topic of my
doctoral thesis. The topic has both scientific value and practical
significance.

In terms of scientific significance, finding out this matter clarifies
activities as well as achievements and limitations in the process that the
army performs the task of economic development associated with
national defense and security in the Central Highlands; affirming that the
objective of the Army's participation in economic construction is not
merely to do business but to solidify the national defense-security
position in strategic areas.
In terms of practical significance, through studying the process of
army’s implementation of socio-economic development associated with
national defense and security in the Central Highlands, some typical
models and lessons learned will be drawn for serving the cause of
economic construction and consolidation of the national defense security position in the Central Highlands and other key and strategic
areas nationwide today in general.
2. Object and scope of the study
2.1. Object of the study
Military units perform the task of economy construction combined with
national defense and security in the Central Highlands region.
2.2. Scope of the study
- Regarding spacial aspect: The Central Highlands region, including
Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong provinces.
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- Regarding temporal aspect: From 1985 (when the 15th Army Corps
was officially established) until 2013 (when the model that military
performed economic development in combination with national defense
in the Central Highlands was initially completed). However, in order to
ensure the logics of the matter, the thesis can mention the activities of
some military units specializing in economic construction in the Central
Highlands since 1973.

- Regarding the content: The Army’s participation in production and
economic construction has many types, however, the scope of the content of
the thesis focuses on studying military units in charge of socio-economic
development associated with national defense and security in the Central
Highlands region, such as the 15th Army Corps, 16th Army Corps and a
number of units under the management of the military zone and province
unit.
3.Objectives and tasks of the study
3.1. Objectives of the study
To clarify the process of the Army implementing economic
development associated with the consolidation of national defense and
security in the Central Highlands (1985 - 2013), thereby contributing to
confirming the soundness of the model. To provide scientific arguments
to contribute to making the policy of economic development associated
with national defense and security in the Central Highlands and in border
areas, islands, remote and disadvantaged areas throughout the country in
general.
3.2. Tasks of the study
To achieve these objectives, the task of the thesis is defined:
- To evaluate overview of research situation related to the topic.
- To clarify factors affecting the process of the Army's implementation
of economic tasks associated with national defense and security in the
Central Highlands. To generalize the guidelines of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State's policies on the army’s
participation in economic development combined with the consolidation
of national defense.
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- To reproduce the process of the army implementing socio-economic

development associated with the consolidation of national defense and
security in the Central Highlands region through the stages of
development from 1985 to 2013.
- To identify typical models of economic development associated with
national defense and security in the area.
- To provide comments, evaluate the achieved results and draw up a number
of lessons learned about the military's implementation of socio-economic
development associated with the consolidation of national defense and
security in the Central Highlands region (1985 - 2013).
4. Source of materials and methodology
4.1. Source of materials
- Documents of the the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
Vietnam, directives of the Ministry of Defense, the Central Military
Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Communist Party of
5th Military Region.
- Works, speeches and writings of the leaders of the Communist Party
of Vietnam, the State and the Army.
- Documents archived at National Archives Center III, Archives of
Ministry of Defense, Department of Economic Affairs - Ministry of Defense,
5th Military Region, Political Bureau of 7th Military Region, 15th Army
Corps, 16th Army Corps…
- The traditional history books of the units and localities.
- The dissertations and theses related to the topic.
- Recollections of historical witnesses.
- Results of Field research.
4.2. Methodology
To implement the thesis, doctoral applicant mainly used a
combination of historical and logical methods. In addition, in the research
process, a number of other methods were applied such as: statistics,
synthesis, generalization, comparison, analysis on the basis of studying

textual materials, field surveys and contacts with historical witnesses to
select and exploit reliable information.
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5. Contribution of the thesis
The thesis is the first work to systematically and comprehensively study
the process of the army’s participation in economic development
associated with national defense and security in the Central Highlands
(1985 - 2013). Thereby, it contributes to asserting the soundness,
creativity and effectiveness of this model in the strategic areas of the
Central Highlands.
The findings of the thesis contribute to supplementing and providing
more profound awareness on the tradition of "the Army for Production"
of the Vietnamese for People's Army; It is also a reference for those who
are interested in learning about the army’sparticipation in production and
economic construction in peacetime.
The thesis summarizes a number of valuable and practical lessons
learnt, providing data that can be referenced in the process of making
policy of economic development associated with national defense and
security in the Central Highlands at present.
6. Layout of the thesis
In addition to the introduction, conclusion, references and annexes, the
thesis consists of 4 chapters:
Chapter 1. Overview of research situation.
Chapter 2. The army implements economic development in
combination with consolidation of national defense and security in the
Central Highlands (1985 - 1998).
Chapter 3. The army accelerates economic development associated with
national defense and security in the Central Highlands (1998 - 2013).

Chapter 4. Comments and some lessons learned.

Chapter 1
OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION
1.1. RESEARCH SITUATION RELATED TO THE TOPIC
1.1.1. Group of researches on the Army’s participation in economic
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construction in general
Setting the foundation for the study of the combination of economics
with national defense as well as the role of the army in participating in
economic construction, is the Marxist - Leninist theory of war and the
military. (People's Army Publishing Hous, 1975).
In many neighboring countries, where have conditions and
characteristics of the people's war similar to Vietnam, the Army’s
participation in economic construction and consolidation of national
defense in peacetime is also paid attention to, researched, shown in the
works: The role of the People's Liberation Army in China's economy and
foreign affairs by Bondan O.Szuprowicz (People's Army Publishing
House, 1977); Economic activities of the People's Liberation Army of
China by A.Abadop (People's Army Publishing House, 1998); Developing
Lao People's Army enterprises in the process of building market economy
and international economic integration by Vongack Phanthavong
(National Economics University, 2010)…
Many researches on the combination of economic affairs and national
defense mentioned the role of the Vietnamese for People's Army in
perfomring this strategic task, including: The combination of economy with
national defense in Vietnam (People's Army Publishing House, 1980) by
Tran Xuan Truong and Nguyen Anh Bac; Issues of economic guarantee

for national defense in our country at present (People's Army Publishing
House, 1986) by Nguyen Duong and Nguyen Anh Bac; Combination of
economy and national defense in our country at present (People's Army
Publishing House, 2008) by Tran Trung Tin.
In addition, there are quite a lot of articles published in specialized
magazines mentioning the Army’s participation in production and
economic construction in Vietnam, typically: “Combination of economy
with national defense for the country construction and defence in a new
situation” in Communist Magazine, Vol. 12 - 1992; "Production and
construction of the military economy are inseparable from the revolution
line of people's war of the Communist Party" by Dong Si Nguyen in
National Economics magazine, Vol. 4 - 2012…
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The above mentioned works and articles have solved many theoretical
issues about the army’s participation in production and economic
construction in Vietnam. However, the researches did not mention much
about activities of the Army participating in socio-economic
development, strengthening national defense and security in strategic
areas and borders.
1.1.2. Group of research works on economic - defense units of the
Army
Economic - Defense enterprises have been clarified by a number of
works, such as: Vu Thanh Che with thesis of the Vietnamese for People's
Army on the cause of building the national economy in the current
situation (Political Academy, 1998); thesis of State Management for
Economic - Defense Enterprises by Nguyen Xuan Phuc (National
Economics University, 2012) ...
The Economic - Defense Zone has become a topic taken into

consideration with the following works: The Army’s participation in
building socio-political bases in the Economic - National Defense Areas
(Military Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences - Ministry of Defense,
2007); Development and investment in current economic-defense zones in
Vietnam by Tran Manh Hung (National Economics University, 2008);
National Defense Economic Delegation implements the current Party and
State's national policies by Nguyen Xuan Dai (Political Academy, 2017)…
There are many articles in specialized magazines providing more
information on the construction of Economic - Defense zones such as: Ho
Si Hau (2004), "Economic – National Defense Area, an internal source of
the country, a core force to solve difficult socio-economic problems in
strategic areas”, Journal of Military History, Vol. 12; Do Manh Hung and
Ta Minh Tuan (2011), "Discussion on the particulars of the EconomicNational Defense Area", Journal of National Defense Economics, Vol. 2;
Pham Toan Thang (2010), "Exchange on the model of combination of
military enterprises with the Economic - Defense delegation" in the Journal
of National Defense Economics, Vol. 3…

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The works have directly mentioned and clarified the contents of the
Economic - Defense enterprise, Economic - Defense zone, Economic National delegation and fairly specifically presented the actual situation of
some activities; positively evaluate and proposed solutions on the aspects to
improve the effectiveness of these types at present and in future. However,
due to the field and subject of the research, the above works have not
specified the method of performing the task combining economy with
national defense.
1.1.3. The group of researches on military units that carried out
economic and defense combination in the Central Highlands
Directly related to the research object of the thesis, there are a number

of works: 16th Army Corps - 10 years of construction and growth (1998 2008) (People's Army Publishing House, 2008), Chronicle of 16th Army
Corps (1998 - 2013) (People's Army Publishing House, 2013), History of
the Communist Party of 16th Army Corps (1999 - 2019) (People's Army
Publishing House, 2018); Coffee Company 15 - Fifteen years – A stage
(1996 - 2011) (People's Army Publishing House, 2011); History of Lam
Dong people's armed forces (1945 - 2010) (People's Army Publishing
House, 2012); History of Company 72 (1973 - 2013) (People's Army
Publishing House, 2013); Company Limited 732 - 40 years of construction,
growth and development (1973 - 2013) (People's Army Publishing House,
2013); History of Company 74 (1975 - 2015) (People's Army Publishing
House, 2015); History of 15th Army Corps (1985 - 2015), (People's Army
Publishing House, 2015); Research on combining economic activities with
national defense in the Central Highlands region (Ministry of Defense,
2015) …
The most general research on the issue of combining economy with
national defense in the Central Highlands so far is the work combining
economic development with national defense in the Central Highlands in
the period of 1996-2010 by author Le Nhi Hoa (National Political
Publishing House, 2013).
In addition, there are also many articles in scientific journals
mentioning the military units combining economy and national defense
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in the Central Highlands: Man Ha Anh (2009), “Construction of
economic - defense zone, view from the 16th Army Corps, "National
Defense Journal, Vol. 2; Ha Thieu (2010), "In order that EconomicDefense Zone of 16th Army Corps have a stable and firm development,
National Defense Journal Vol. 9; Nguyen Xuan Sang (2011),
"Corporation 15 overcomes difficulties for sustainable development",
Journal of National Economics, Vol. 3; Nguyen Xuan Dai (2014),

"Efficiency of propaganda with the population in the Central Highlands
region from the model "linking households", Journal of National Defense
Economics, Vol. 4 ...
Due to the scope and limitation of the article, therefore, it has not
really acknowledged and thoroughly assessed the effectiveness of the
problem in application and widely deploying effective methods of
propaganda, suitable for economic units combined with national defense
in the Central Highlands as well as other strategic areas to ensure the
overall stability for the whole country.
1.2. THE RESOLVED CONTENTS THAT THE THESIS
INHERITS FROM THE RESEARCHES
Those works have solved some following basic problems:
Regarding theoretical aspect, the works have studied many
theoretical issues, confirmed the objectivity of the strategy of combining
economy with national defense in the cause of national construction and
defense and clarified the indispensable role of the Vietnamese for
People's Army in the task of economic development associated with the
consolidation of national defense and security in border areas, islands and
remote areas.
Regarding practical aspect, a number of projects have specifically
studied activities such as production and business, building sociopolitical facilities, strengthening national defense and security; also
initially raised some inadequacies of these models. The projects have
made valuable proposals to continue promoting the advantages and
overcome disadvantages in specific aspects of the military forces in
economic construction.
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There were many projects that have analyzed, handled and clarified a
number of factors affecting the implementation of strategies in economic

development combined with strengthening national defense and security
in the Central Highlands. At the same time, the above projects have also
restored the process of formation, development and operation of a
number of specific military units, directly undertook the task of economic
development in combination with national defense in the Central
Highlands.
However, due to the influence of the object and the scope of the study,
so far, there has not been any study intensively researching systematically
the military units performing the economic development task in
combination with consolidation of national defense and security in the
Central Highlands.
1.3. THE ISSUES CONTINUE TO BE RESOLVED IN
THETHESIS
On the basis of inheriting the research findings of the related works,
the thesis will continue to clarify the following issues.:
- Systematically reproducing the process of the army performing the
task of economic development associated with national defense and
security in the Central Highlands through each stage from 1985 to 2013
under the scientific issues of the concept of "economy combined with
national defense and defense combined with economy” proposed by the
Party and the State.
- Continuing to clarify the nature of the concepts "economy combined
with national defense", " Economic - Defense Enterprises", "Economic National Defense zone", "Economic – Defense Delegation”,…
- Clarifying the close and interrelated relationship between socioeconomic development and national defense-security consolidation in
solving topical challenges in the strategic area of the Central Highlands.
Since then, the Army’s performance of the task of economic development
associated with the consolidation of national defense and security is
objectively assessed in terms of both the policy and the implementation
process in the Central Highlands from 1985 to 2013.
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- Confirming effective models, bringing great achievements to
military units for economic construction in association with national
defense and security in the Central Highlands.
- Solving the above issues, the thesis clearly points out the limitations
in the process of implementing the policy in which the Army participates
in economic production in the Central Highlands region. On the other
hand, the lessons learned are drawn, providing some data that can be
referenced in the process of making economic development policies
associated with strengthening national defense and security in strategic
areas throughout the country in general, the Central Highlands in
particular.

Chapter 2
THE ARMY IMPLEMENTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN
COMBINATION WITH CONSOLIDATION OF NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND SECURITY IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
(1985 - 1998)
2.1. FACTORS AFFECTING THE ARMY'S IMPLEMENTATION
OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE
CONSOLIDATION OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
2.1.1. Natural and socio-economic conditions in the Central
Highlands
2.1.1.1. Natural condition
Addressing the complex impacts of natural conditions is a difficult problem
for the exploitation to both obtain effectiveness of economic development
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potentials and protect natural resources and build a defensive position,
people’s security in the border areas of the Central Highlands.
2.1.1.2. Social and economic conditions
The socio-economic situation in the Central Highlands still has
remained many problems, especially the limitations and deprivations in
the life of the local people. To continue overcoming these problems, the
Party and the State must step up the socio-economic development
strategy, increase vigilance, fight against "Peace evolutions", consolidate
the national defense position nation-wide, especially in poor, remote and
border areas.
2.1.2. Security - political situation
Because of its important strategic location and abundant resources, the
Central Highlands has always been a political "hot spot". This situation
calls for strengthening the military forces on this strategic borderline,
ready to combat and fight against reactionary forces, on the other hand,
actively addressinh these issues by combining many fields, politics
associated with socio-economy and culture.
2.1.3. The Party's policy on the Army’s economic construction
associated with the consolidation of national defense
2.1.3.1. The period before 1985
Right after the end of the resistance war against the French colonialists,
the Party and President Ho Chi Minh took advantage of the military forces
to participate in production, to carry out the economic development in
combination with national defense in an appropriate manner to contribute to
overcome the post-war consequences, build up a large northern base, and
support the South to continue fighting against the world's leading great
nation - the American empire.
2.1.3.2. The period of 1985 - 2013
In the process of renovation, integration, the Party and the State have

always paid attention to, adjusted and directed the forces in economic
development in the direction of promoting close cooperation between
economy and national defense.
2.1.4. Initial results of military units in economic construction
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combined with national defense in the Central Highlands (1973 1985)
2.1.4.1. Takeover of the liberation area for both producing and fighting
After the liberation army took control of the North Central Highlands,
Corps 773 was established to produce logistics and to protect strategic
areas. Corps 773 took over, stabilized the area, for both producing and
fighting against forces that undermined revolutionary achivements.
2.1.4.2. Initial construction of economy combined with strengthening,
maintaining national defense - security
Military forces in the Central Highlands during this period formed the
organizational foundation for the birth of the 15th Army Corps, and at the
same time, created a number of favorable conditions affecting the
implementation of the task of economic development associated with
strengthening the national defense of military units locating in the North
Central Highlands in the next period.
2.2. THE 15TH ARMY CORPS WAS BORN, A BREAKTHROUGH IN
ECONOMIC CONSTRUCTION COMBINED WITH NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND SECURITY (1985 - 1998)
2.2.1. The establishment of the 15th Army Corps
On February 20, 1985, the Central Highlands Economic Construction
Troop was established with name of the 15th Army Corps. This was the
first unit in charge of combining the economy with the national defense
at the level of troops since the country's reunification.
2.2.3. Overcoming difficulties and stabilizing organizational

structure, quickly going into production in combination with
strengthening national defense and securit
It can be seen that, with constant effort, the 15th Army Corps has
awakened a border area with great potential for development.
These achievements stem from the innovation in the awareness of the
th
15 Army Corps on the performance of the task of economic construction
in combination with the consolidation of national defense - of the army:
taking the business efficiency improvement to directly impact the
planning and population-social development activities, thereby forming
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a popular battle, preserving national defense and security in strategic
areas.
The birth of the 16th Army Corps, the second main Economic - Defense
unit in the Central Highlands region, is not simply an increase in the force
and production capacity of the army, but is important to eliminate hunger
and reduce poverty for the local people, improve the capacity to defend and
build a national defense position in the sensitive border areas of the South
Central Highlands. From here, the Economic - Defense zones were formed,
the army’s economic construction activities combined with national defense
in the Central Highlands and the whole country generally entered a new stage
of development.

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Chapter 3
THE ARMY ACCELERATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ASSOCIATED WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS (1998 - 2013)
3.1. ECONOMIC - DEFENSE UNITS HAVE DEVELOPED AND
EXPANDED THEIR AREAS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THEIR
TASKS (1998 - 2005)
3.1.1. Economic - Defense zones were formed
Units entered the stage of accelerating the development of economicdefense zones with the top goal of helping people eliminate hunger and
alleviate poverty, solving issues of population, ethnicity and religion in
political hotspots, strengthening national defense at the border between
Laos and Cambodia.
3.1.2. Units strengthen economic development and stabilize localities
in economic-defense zones
This is a period of stepping up the implementation of agricultural
settlement, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, raising the living of
laborers, companies and regiments, focusing on developing household
economy as a prop for people to establish their businesses combined with
the right propaganda activities, so the areas of the management units are
stable, the political enlightenment awareness of workers and ethnic
minorities is increasingly enhanced.
3.2. ECONOMIC - DEFENSE UNITS IMPROVE THE
PROPAGANDA, STABILIZE AND DEVELOP PRODUCTION (2005
- 2013)
3.2.1. Changes in the management and organization mechanism of
military units combining economy with national defense in the
Central Highlands
Economic – National Defense units in the Central Highlands region have
had some changes in management, business management model. The system
of Economic - Defense zones formed along the border from Kon Tum to
Dak Nong and continues to be expanded, in order to solve socio-political
16

issues in the area and develop forces preserving security of the areas,
continuing migration to settle in “white areas” inland to the border.
3.2.2. Resolving obstacles for economic development, continuing to
maintain national defense and security in the area
In the period of 2005 - 2013, the Economic – National Defense units in
the Central Highlands basically completed the organization and method of
implementing the contents of the assigned tasks. The stable economicdefense zone system in the Central Highlands is a factor that positively
influences the socio-economic situation, political security of the locality in
particular and the economic strategy combined with national defense
throughout the country in general.
3.3. SOME MODELS OF ORGANIZATION AND ECONOMIC
ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE AND
SECURITY IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
3.3.1. Model of the Troops - Corporation
The operational organization of this model highlights the following:
Regarding organizational structure, at the Troops level Corporation, the units built a unified apparatus in terms of military and
production to undertake the tasks in parallel in the fields of economy and
national defense.
Regarding production organization, the Economic - National Defense
units in the Central Highlands region made concentrated production
combined with household economic development.
Particularly, in the 15th Army Corps, a production model has been
formed: Corporation - Company - Production team - Household. This
model creates a strong attachment between the collective economy and
the household economy.
In terms of type, the units are both military enterprises and economic
- defense troops.
From this model, the Economic – National Defense units in the

Central Highlands are gradually changing their perceptions about the
content of combining socio-economic development with the

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consolidation of national defense and security in strategic areas and
boundaries, islands and remote areas.
3.3.2. Central Highlands Economic – National Defense Zone
The common point of the Economic - Defense zones is economic
development in remote areas, borders, island areas with rugged terrain,
harsh climate, underdeveloped infrastructure, where is the main living
area of ethnic minorities.
The areas of economic-defense zones are also strategic locations for
national defense and politically sensitive. The land used for construction
of the Economic-National Defense Zone must be bare land, bare hills,
and impoverished forests.
Economic - Defense zone was created in close attachment with the local
people, including local people and migrants.
Economic - Defense zones in the whole country are invested and onwned
by the Ministry of Defense, economic - defense units are military units
directly stationed in the area assigned to be responsible for managing all
aspects.
The model of Economic - Defense area in the Central Highlands has
some differences compared to other places:
Firstly, in the Central Highlands, there are Economic - Defense Zones
built on a large scale.
Secondly, the units directly building the Economic - Defense zone in
the Central Highlands are Economic - Defense enterprises.
Thirdly, the production methods in the Economic - Defense zones in

the Central Highlands are quite diverse and flexible towards the overall
efficiency.
Economic-national defense zone is a form newly appearing in the
process of combining economic with national defense in our country, a
typical model unique in the Vietnamese for People's Army.
3.3.3. Model of "Attachment"
3.3.3.1. “Attachment of the units and local government”
The strategy of economic development combined with strengthening
national defense in the Central Highlands requires many forces to
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participate and coordinate, in which the army and the local government
play a very important role. The model of "attachment" together with other
propaganda policies set by economic - defense units in the Central
Highlands not only further strengthens the relationship with the local
authorities, but also to maintain the achievements of working and
production, construction of areas of the unit.
3.3.3.2. “Attachment of production group and teams to hamlets,
villages”
Through this model, besides helping each other to produce together,
work together, mobilize ethnic minorities to receive contracts from the
Economic - Defense units, production teams and mass organizations
contributed to eliminating the situation of "no party, no union" in the
hamlets and villages, building a solid political base of the Economic National Defense units in the area; helping the government apparatus
from commune to hamlet and village step by step be strengthened,
advanced in operations, the executing method has been renewed, more
flexible, timely captured and solved all problems of the local people.
3.3.3.3. “Attachment of households”
Thus, stemming from the aspirations, the direct needs of households

living in the same residential areas, the "household attachment " model
has become a form of "good propaganda" leanrt and conducted by many
units. This activity has brought about practical effects in all aspects of
politics - society, economy and security – national defense.

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Chapter 4
COMMENTS AND SOME LESSONS LEARNED
4.1. COMMENTS
4.1.1. Achievement
Firstly, the production activities of the Economic - Defense units have
been increasingly effective, meeting the task of economic development
associated with the consolidation of national defense in strategic areas.
Secondly, the units have planned and relocated the points and
residential clusters in combination with building a relatively
synchronous infrastructure system, well serving the essential needs of the
local people in the border areas, creating new rural faces on remote
areas and revolutionary base areas.
Thirdly, through production activities, propaganda, the units have
improved all aspects of the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities
on the border belt.
Fourthly, through propaganda, the Economic - Defense units have
become a bridge linking the Party and the local people in remote areas,
strengthening the confidence of the local people in the Party's lines and
policies, creating position of national defense and security on the border
route.
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Fifthly, the maintenance of Economic - Defense units in the Central
Highlands has created a solid foundation for building, strengthening
potentials, defense and security - border protection position.
Sixthly, economic and defense units in the Central Highlands have
found many effective methods to perform their duties, contributing to
affirming the soundness in terms of policy of the Party and the State when
allowing the Army participate in production, economic construction.
4.1.2. Limitations
Firstly, some strategic areas have been strengthened in terms of
security and national defense but still weak in economy, not yet
promoting their potential strengths.
Secondly, the process of performing the tasks of Economy - National
Defense in some units showed signs of hurrying and burning the stage.
Thirdly, the coordination with local authorities in many places is still
unanimous, especially the issue of land allocation to deploy construction
and expansion of Economic - Defense projects.
4.2. SOME LESSONS LEARNT
4.2.1. Right awareness on the task of economic development
associated with strengthening the national defense of the Vietnamese
for People's Army in the new period
On the basis of thoroughly grasping the Resolution of the Party Congress
at all levels, the terms, the leaders and commanders at all levels are required
the dynamism, creativity, dare to think, dare to do and dare to take
responsibility for building production plans and contracting policies that
bring practical effects, not only to ensure the lives of workers but also create
a spirit of excitement, enthusiasm in working and dedicating to the
collective.
4.2.2. Promotion of the synergy of mass organizations in the area to
successfully implement the tasks assigned

Along with maintaining stable production, the Economic - Defense
units must regularly take care to ensure the improvement of life for
cadres, soldiers and workers, and determine that "economic growth must
be associated with improvement of living standards for workers”.
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4.2.3. Strengthening the propaganda, attachment with the Party
committees, authorities and local people; promoting the role of
village patriarchs in economic development associated with
strengthening the political system in the area.
Public propaganda in economic – national defense zones in the Central
Highlands has created an important basis to promote socio-economic
development in the province, contributing to raising political awareness and
strengthening the confidence of the local people; strengthening national
unity and unity of the army and local people; proactively and effectively
preventing conspiracy and the tactics of hostile forces, contributing to
strengthening the national defense - security position in the area.
4.2.4. Proactively and flexibly in production and business to improve
the overall economic - political - cultural - social and national defense
and security efficiency.
When evaluating the efficiency of the task performance of the 15th and
16th Army Corps, it is not really complete and objective to only
considering the economic efficiency but putting in the overall concept of
economy associated with national defense to see that production and
business efficiency of the 15th and 16th Army Corps has greatly affected
the strategic area of the Central Highlands. Therefore, being constantly
flexible and proactive in economic development to improve the
efficiency of combination of politics, society, security and national
defense is a practical lesson in current situation for the performance of

tasks of economic development associated with national defense and
security.

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CONSCLUSION
1. The impoverished but potential-rich Central Highlands is a
particularly important strategic area in the cause of national construction
and defense. Recognizing that, in the process of leading the renovation
process, the Vietnamese Communist Party and the State had paid much
attention to turning the Central Highlands into a bright spot for
implementing the strategy of combining economy with defense of the
whole country.
Since the Anti-American Resistance War for National Salvation has not
ended, the the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of
Vietnam and the Ministry of Defense have established and maintained a
standing army force in the Central Highlands region for both production and
fighting, building rear in place to prepare for the completion of the South
liberation when opportunities arise. It was this force that was the basis and
premise for the establishment of later Economic - Defense units. Military
forces specializing in production and economic construction have
accompanied the local people in place in efforts to overcome the
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