During 57 years in the ranks of the Party, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made many great contributions to the Party and the nation’s glorious revolutionary cause. In particular, in the process of national renewal, he left many deep marks on the Party’s ideological work, contributing to planning policies and guidelines at the strategic level; building and perfecting the theory of the Party’s renewal policy; helping our country to achieve great and historically significant achievements.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid great attention to the Party’s ideological work. While holding important positions, including member of the Party Central Committee from the 7th tenure to the 13th tenure; member of the Politburo from the 8th tenure to the 13th tenure; Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Review; Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee; Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; Chairman of the National Assembly; State President; General Secretary from the 11th tenure to the 13th tenure, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had proven to be an especially outstanding politician and thinker.
In all circumstances, he always demonstrated the bravery and intelligence of a communist with a strategic vision, who was absolutely loyalty to the Party, the fatherland and the people; steadfast in Marxism-Leninism, the Ho Chi Minh Ideology, revolutionary goals and ideals of the Party and nation, and the Party’s principles; preserved, upheld and spread pure revolutionary moral qualities, was pioneering, exemplary, humble, simple and close to the people.
As a theorist
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was always preoccupied with how to make our Party successfully realise the Marxist-Leninist doctrine and the Ho Chi Minh Ideology on the socialist model in Vietnam.
1. As a theorist, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made many special contributions, with many works, books and articles of theoretical significance and high value. In his works, he deeply summarised reality and upgraded it to a theory on renewal. At the same time, he propagated the Party’s platform, stances and guidelines, and the State’s laws firmly protected the Party’s ideological foundation and contributed to creating unity within the Party and social consensus.
In the new context of an era when the country’s path towards socialism is facing many challenges, especially the challenge of ideological struggle in the context of ups and downs of realistic socialism following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the work of Party building, he was always preoccupied with how to make our Party successfully realise the Marxist-Leninist doctrine and the Ho Chi Minh Ideology on the socialist model in Vietnam. According to him, first of all, it is necessary to be more fully and deeply aware of the requirements of theoretical work in the new era. Theory must rise above to lead and accompany reality, have a strategic vision and create a breakthrough in development theory, providing a timely scientific basis for planning the Party’s renewal policy.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s book “Resolutely and persistently fighting against corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to making our Party and State increasingly clean and strong”.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s book “Resolutely and persistently fighting against corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to making our Party and State increasingly clean and strong”.
With his strong political will, sharp theoretical thinking and revolutionary offensive spirit, he produced many profound works with high theoretical, practical and action values on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam. His outstanding works include “Why the Soviet Communist Party collapsed”, “Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam”, “Transforming challenges into opportunities, determined to create breakthroughs to make the country develop rapidly and sustainably”, “Building a clean and strong Party and political system, contributing to successfully realising the 13th National Party Congress’s resolution”, “Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture, deeply imbued with national identity”, “Resolutely and persistently fighting against corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to making our Party and State increasingly clean and strong”, “Building and developing Vietnam’s comprehensive and modern foreign relations and diplomacy, bearing the characteristics of the Vietnamese bamboo”, and “National Assembly in the renewal process to meet the requirements of building and perfecting Vietnam’s rules-governed socialist state”.
The Party chief’s works have had a great impact on the political and ideological awareness in the Party and society, helping cadres, Party members and people to correctly perceive the theory and practice of socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, in both objective and subjective aspects, especially in Party building in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation and personnel. On that basis, it strengthens the trust of the entire Party, people and army in the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as the correctness of the chosen path for national independence associated with socialism.
Regardless of his position or job title, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong always took the time to review practice and elevate it to theory, then apply the theory to the practice of the Party’s leadership. Thereby, lessons and major relationships on building socialism are drawn, following the country’s real situation, contributing to the development of the Party’s theoretical thinking and the State’s policies.
Regardless of his position or job title, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong always took the time to review practice and elevate it to theory, then apply the theory to the practice of the Party’s leadership. Thereby, lessons and major relationships on building socialism are drawn, following the country’s real situation, contributing to the development of the Party’s theoretical thinking and the State’s policies.
With the strategic thinking of an excellent Party leader, the comrade always demonstrated the mettle, consistent stance, and the revolutionary spirit of a communist. He made great contributions to the Party’s ideological work, especially in protecting and creatively developing Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh ideology, following the reality of the Vietnamese revolution in each period. It was the basis for the formation of the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, with clearer goals and steps during the transitional period. “The theory on the renewal process, socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam is increasingly perfected and gradually realised”. This makes the Party’s ideology growingly occupy a leading position in social life, helping to raise awareness, consolidate solidarity and unity within the Party and consensus in society, and maintain political stability and socio-economic development.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made great contributions to the Party’s ideological work, especially in protecting and creatively developing Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh ideology, following the reality of the Vietnamese revolution in each period. It was the basis for the formation of the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, with clearer goals and steps during the transitional period.
His sharp theoretical thinking has guided and provided a clear orientation for the Party’s political, ideological, and theoretical work:
(i) Planning the strategic guidelines and visions of the Party, the Vietnamese nation and revolution;
(ii) Attaching great importance to reviewing practices, perfecting theories on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam;
(iii) Paying attention to the vital principle of “unwavering”: steadfastly applying and creatively developing Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh ideology; firmly upholding the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly upholding the Party’s renewal policy; firmly upholding the principles of Party building; ensuring the highest national interests.
In the field of communications and media work
2. Regarding communication, propaganda, and media work, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a true and sharp journalist, becoming a giant in the revolutionary press of Vietnam. The special feature of his articles is that they are strategic and far-sighted, but extremely close, easy to understand, and highly combative with spillover effect.
The special feature of his articles is that they are strategic and far-sighted, but extremely close, easy to understand, and highly combative with spillover effect.
Many poems, folk songs, proverbs, and teachings of President Ho Chi Minh were applied by the General Secretary in his journalistic writing style, both demonstrating the sharpness, intellectual stature and guiding ideology of the leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as the diverse writing style of a journalist on the ideological and cultural front. Therefore, abstract contents are conveyed in a very simple, easy-to-understand, and attractive way, including Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, the theory of Party building, socio-economic development guidelines, socialist-oriented market economy development, cultural guidelines, foreign policies, and others.
His writings help create a strong impact on cadres, Party members and people, becoming a “handbook” for extensive political activities among Party committees, Party organisations, localities, and agencies.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates attending the 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, the 2015-2020 term. (Photo: Tri Dung-VNA)
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates attending the 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, the 2015-2020 term. (Photo: Tri Dung-VNA)
His articles and speeches made an important contribution to disseminating and educating the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws; improving the political level and capacity of cadres, party members and the people; making the Party's ideology gradually take a leading position in the spiritual life of society. It protected the Party's ideological foundation, fought against wrong and hostile views, corruption, wastefulness, and negativity, and prevented and repelled ideological degradation, as well as internal "self-evolution" and "self-transformation". It also contributed to being more proactive in identifying, fighting, and promptly and strictly handling several organisations and individuals who violate the Party's policies; warning, deterring and preventing corruption and negative phenomena; and purifying the ranks of cadres and party members.
Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Information and Education, and Nhan Dan Newspaper's Editor-in-chief Le Quoc Minh, along with delegates at a ceremony to launch the book “Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with domestic people’s trust and international friends’ support”, on June 20, 2023. (Photo: Thuy Nguyen)
Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Information and Education, and Nhan Dan Newspaper's Editor-in-chief Le Quoc Minh, along with delegates at a ceremony to launch the book “Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with domestic people’s trust and international friends’ support”, on June 20, 2023. (Photo: Thuy Nguyen)
His articles and speeches contributed to guiding public opinion positively, proactively, and promptly; making accurate forecasts; grasping developments in the ideological situation; handling information from the beginning; and not letting it accumulate into a major problem.
His articles and speeches contributed to organising the implementation of the Party's policy; quickly bringing the Party's decisions to life; and realising socio-economic development goals according to short-term, medium-term and long-term visions.
With that spirit of will, determination and effort, the entire Party, army and people have overcome many difficulties and challenges, achieved important and historic achievements with outstanding marks, making the country's potential, position and prestige increasingly high and sustainable.
In the field of Party building and rectification
3. In the field of Party building and rectification, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always paid special attention and dedication to the cause of building and rectifying the Party and the political system, that clearly demonstrated through the following highlights:
(1) Many important policies, decisions, resolutions, directives, conclusions and regulations have been issued by the General Secretary, the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat, closely following the requirements of the revolutionary tasks, each time more profound than the previous, creating a new step of development in the Party's theory, awareness and action in building and training the political mettle, ideology, moral qualities and lifestyle of cadres and party members, creating a very positive change in the more harmonious and smooth combination between "building" and "fighting", more comprehensively in all aspects of Party building work.
(2) The spirit of attack, determination and determination in the fight to prevent, repel and strictly handle cadres and party members who have degraded in political ideology, morality, lifestyle, corruption, negativity, "self-evolution", "self-transformation", "regardless of who that person is", "without any forbidden zones, without any exceptions, regardless of who they are" demonstrates the Party’s strictness, discipline, and order, the rule of law of the State, the humanity, education, alertness, warning, and deterrence among cadres and party members; contributing to restraining, gradually preventing, and repelling the degradation of political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”; the state of corruption, “group interests”, “short-term thinking”; “individualism” among a significant number of cadres and party members. Innovating methods, improving the leadership capacity, governing capacity, and fighting strength of the Party, strengthening solidarity and unity within the Party, consolidating the people’s trust in the Party, the State, and the regime, maintaining socio-political stability, and promoting the country’s socio-economic development.
(3) Upholding revolutionary ethics, promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle, in conjunction with regulations on setting examples and things that party members are not allowed to do; focusing on doing well the content: studying and following Uncle Ho and setting examples for cadres and party members through specific actions and deeds, in the spirit of Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW, dated May 18, 2021, on continuing to implement Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo, on "promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and lifestyle." Regulation No. 144-QD/TW, dated May 9, 2024, of the Politburo on revolutionary ethical standards of cadres and party members in the new period. Building a contingent of cadres and party members with strong political qualities, responsibility and correct motivation, pioneering, exemplary; fulfilling assigned tasks and responsibilities, contributing with the entire Party, the political system and the entire society to create breakthroughs in socio-economic development, building and firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
(4) Promoting the core values of national culture, the “soft power” of culture in economic and social development, ensuring national defence and security, and strengthening and expanding foreign relations according to the motto: “Culture is the soul of the nation. Culture exists, the nation exists”. The National Cultural Conference implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress (November 2021) has created a new source of vitality and new momentum for the cause of building and reviving an advanced Vietnamese culture, imbued with national identity. Thereby, all levels, sectors and the entire political system have increasingly better awareness and more positive and effective actions on the issue of cultural and social development, in the spirit of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress: Comprehensive and synchronous development of the economy and society; closely and harmoniously combining economic development with cultural and social development; implement social progress and justice in every policy, every step.
In the field of practising ideology, ethics, and lifestyle
4. In the field of practising ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a typical, shining example of self-study, self-training, self-reflection, self-correction, and setting an example in all areas of Party work, especially in studying, following, and setting an example in practising revolutionary ethics, studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, self-criticism and criticism, fighting to prevent and repel the degradation of political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle, “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” within the Party; fighting against corruption and negativity.
He has a democratic, listening, scientific, objective, cautious, thorough, and very decisive working method. His thinking, style and leadership methods in all aspects and fields, both domestic and foreign, bear the imprint of national culture, inheriting and promoting the dialectical materialist methodology of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thought, which is to thoroughly grasp the objective, comprehensive, stable and developing viewpoints, practical and historical-specific; resolute and persistent in principles, but always flexible and adaptable to achieve success for the highest interests of the nation and people.
On the afternoon of November 15, 2017, General Secretary General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended the National Great Unity Day in Hai Phong City. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
On the afternoon of November 15, 2017, General Secretary General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended the National Great Unity Day in Hai Phong City. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
When wishing to create solidarity, unity of ideology, will and action within the Party, and consensus in society, Comrade repeatedly reminded: “The front calls the rear, the back supports, one call responds to all, the top and bottom are of one mind, the whole is smooth”.
In the Party’s foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy, he emphasised the characteristics of the “Vietnamese bamboo” school, with a firm root, a strong trunk, and flexible branches: soft, flexible, clever, humane, and compassionate, but also very resilient, determined, and adaptable to all difficulties and challenges.
Cadres, Party members, and people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends, all expressed their love and respect for the talent, revolutionary ethics, and honest and sincere lifestyle of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
To comrades, colleagues and friends, the General Secretary always reserved warm, loyal, tolerant, kind, helpful, and sharing feelings.
To compatriots nationwide, people of all walks of life, from all walks of life to all professions, religions, and ethnicities, from the elderly to children, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong was always close, caring for their legitimate rights and interests, and deeply sympathising with all their aspirations and wishes; respect the people, be close to the people, understand the people, learn from the people, trust, respect and promote the people's right to mastery; persistently implement the motto “people know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise, people benefit”, attach importance to the core ideology “People are the root”.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with ethnic people in the new style rural commune of Ban Bo, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province. Photo: Tri Dung-VNA
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with ethnic people in the new style rural commune of Ban Bo, Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province. Photo: Tri Dung-VNA
For international friends, the Party leader always had sincere feelings, a pure international spirit and trust, and was ready to cooperate and help in the spirit of ensuring the foreign principles and diplomatic policies of the Party and the State of Vietnam.
His life and career were an exemplary model of a loyal, indomitable, “diligent, honest, just and impartial” communist soldier, consistent between words and deeds, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the People.
In daily life, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong and his family were always modest, exemplary, simple and sociable. His life and career were an exemplary model of a loyal, indomitable, “diligent, honest, just and impartial” communist soldier, consistent between words and deeds, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the People, as Comrade's wish: “I vow to strive, sacrifice, and be absolutely loyal to the ideals and revolutionary cause of the Party for the rest of my life, to cultivate and train myself; to try to study and follow the ideology, morality, and style of President Ho Chi Minh, to be worthy of being a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as in the lyrics of a song: “If you are a flower, be a sunflower; if you are a bird, be a white dove; if you are a stone, be a diamond; if you are a person, be a communist”.
On this occasion, I would like to quote a few lines from the famous work titled “How the Steel Was Tempered” by Soviet writer Nikolai Ostrovsky: “The most precious thing for a person is life and the honour of living, as we only live once. We must live in a way that avoids regret and sorrow for wasted and unproductive years; to avoid shame for petty and cowardly actions despised by everyone. So that when we close our eyes for the last time, we can proudly say: "All my life, all my strength, I have dedicated to the noblest cause on earth – the struggle for national liberation and human liberation, bringing happiness to the people!”; "Steel is tempered in the fire and cold water, then it becomes fearless!",... and the poetry lines by poet To Huu: “'There's still a second and a minute of breath left, and there's still no end to the fight!”.
In the position of Party General Secretary
5. As Party General Secretary, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong always played the role of a leadership nucleus, together with the Party Central Committee, Politburo and the Secretariat, to promptly and closely lead and direct the national construction and defence cause, especially in Party building in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, promoting the prevention and reversion of the degradation of political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and the manifestations of "self-evolution", "self-transformation" within the Party, and the corruption and negative phenomena; fostering unity, ideological cohesion, will, and action within the Party, and consensus in society.
He often reminded: “The ideological-cultural work must ensure the continued promotion of the renewal process based on maintaining political and social stability, ensuring the strengthening of unity within the entire Party, army, and people (the unity in perception, will and action), creating an enthusiastic atmosphere to advance towards industrialisation, modernisation, construction and safeguarding of the country, successfully implementing the Party's Platform and guidelines, the Constitution, and State’s laws.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong gives remarks at the National Cultural Conference to implement the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution. (Photo: Dang Khoa)
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong gives remarks at the National Cultural Conference to implement the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution. (Photo: Dang Khoa)
At the same time, he also pointed out: “Ideological work is of paramount importance, but it is challenging because ideology is very abstract. The most frightening thing now is that a part of the cadres, Party members, and people, including propaganda officers, are confused and unable to distinguish right from wrong, degrade ideals, weaken the will to fight, and lose all fighting spirit. Therefore, I hope all cadres, Party members, especially those in the propaganda and educational sector and particularly the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Education, fully and deeply understand the significance, role, and important position of the ideological work. The propaganda and educational sector must make greater efforts in the work of Party building, in terms of politics and ideology. This is the ideological foundation, the goal, the ideal, and steadfastness in Marxism-Leninism, President Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology, and the chosen path, absolutely without wavering or confusion. This is for all of us to remain steadfast on the path towards the goal of prosperous people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civilisation”.
I hope all cadres, Party members, especially those in the propaganda and educational sector and particularly the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Education, fully and deeply understand the significance, role, and important position of the ideological work. The propaganda and educational sector must make greater efforts in the work of Party building, in terms of politics and ideology… This is the ideological foundation, the goal, the ideal, and steadfastness in Marxism-Leninism, President Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology, and the chosen path, absolutely without wavering or confusion. This is for all of us to remain steadfast on the path towards the goal of prosperous people, strong country, democracy, justice, and civilisation.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed four tasks to focus on:
(1) Further promoting the Party building in terms of political ideology; being steadfast in Marxism-Leninism and President Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology; absolutely unwavering, not confused and steadfast on the path to socialism, for the goal of a prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, justice, and civilisation;
(2) Information and propaganda work must focus on promoting unity within the entire Party and consensus among the people;
(3) Intensifying the ideological struggle, countering hostile and wrong arguments of hostile forces, firmly defending the Party's revolutionary viewpoint and direction;
(4) Building a team of propaganda officers with solid political will, resilience, intelligence, dedication to work, the courage to fight, and professional competence, who can speak and act, and are not tempted or bought off by hostile forces.
The ideas, viewpoints, guiding principles, and action principles in the ideological work of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong are the “red thread”, requiring each cadre and Party member, especially the heads of the Party committees, to continue to thoroughly grasp, deeply understand, and effectively implement, in order to leverage the combined strength of all ideological forces, on the basis of steadfastly and creatively applying and developing Marxism-Leninism and President Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology; steadfastly pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism; steadfastly following the Party's renewal path; steadfastly adhering to the principles of Party building, enhancing combativeness, initiative, persuasiveness, and effectiveness, contributing to creating unity within the Party and consensus in society, successfully implementing the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution, and laying a solid foundation for the successful organisation of the Party congresses at all levels, leading up to the 14th National Party Congress, gradually realising the goal of “becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income by 2030, on the 100th founding anniversary of the Party and becoming a developed country with high income by 2045, on the occasion of the 100th founding anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.
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