The Ministry of Defense of Vietnam has recently announced a significant adjustment to the organizational structure of the regional defense command, transforming it into a permanent infantry regiment. This change is part of the ministry's efforts to improve local military operations and ensure effective responses to national defense requirements.

In response to recommendations from the National Assembly’s Committee on Ethnic Affairs and Supervision, the Ministry of Defense has taken steps to clarify the organizational structure, functions, and responsibilities of the regional defense command. The committee had received requests from voters in Tuyen Quang province seeking clearer guidelines regarding the command's structure and its operational duties.

According to the Ministry, after a year of local military organization functioning under the two-tier local government system, a conference was held to gather experiences from various military command levels, including provincial military commands and the Hanoi Capital Command. The consensus among military leaders highlighted the importance of a coherent and decisive directive from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense regarding local military operations.

The adjustments made by the Ministry are in line with the conclusions of the Politburo's directive dated January 10, 2026, which addressed the organizational structure of local military commands. The Ministry has established the permanent infantry regiment and its command structure under provincial military commands to meet the evolving demands of local military tasks.

Furthermore, the Ministry has opted not to issue guidelines on the organization and functions of the regional defense command at this time. This decision follows a thorough evaluation of the command's activities and the challenges faced in enhancing military capabilities within the regional defense framework, particularly in disaster response, search and rescue operations, and addressing non-traditional security threats.

The recent discussions at the Ministry of Defense, chaired by General Phan Van Giang, also focused on the achievements since the command's formal establishment and the integration of regular forces into the local military command structure. Various insights were shared regarding the obstacles encountered in building military capacity in the region and the command's role in local governance.