Communist Review  - In the national cause of leading the revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has always attached importance to the construction of a truly transparent and mighty party. Since reclaiming the administration, the CPV has had a double role to play, as an element of the political system and the ruling force at the same time. As a matter of fact, “the CPV, vanguard of the working class, the masses and the whole nation, governs the State and society’’. Building a transparent and strong Party exerts a deciding impact on the characteristics, objectives, duties and effectiveness of the political system reinforcement. In return, it is the in-operation efficency and effectiveness achieved by the political system’s affliates that serves as the measurement instrument of the Party’s leadership capacity, prestige, position and status.

Embarking upon the renovation period, the CPV has identified Party building as the key task, which is crucial to secure the success of the renewal cause. The objective of the Party and political system building is to enhance the Party’s leadership and ruling capacity, to improve the political system’s efficency and effectiveness, to bring the socialist democracy into full play, and to streamline and facilitate the economic reform in accordance with political reform.

On the basis of abiding by the Communist Party’s principles of organization and operation, the Party building task has been implemented in all domains, namely politics, thoughts, organization and ethics, bringing about considerable improvement. With a politics-centered approach, the Party building has enabled the revolution goals and ideals to be maintained, fundamental principles complied with, political guts enhanced, and the quality of guidline and policies promoted. The increased ideological work has resulted in a unified Party and social concensus on significant matters of the whole nation in the renovation cause; the failure of the “peaceful evolution” plot orchestrated by hostile forces; the investigation, supplement and further development of the existing theory on socialism and the road to socialism in Vietnam. There have been outstanding shifts in Party organization and political system, ranging from institution, apparatus, mechanism to the promotion of efficency and effectiveness, the formation of cadre contigency at all levels with the emphasis on strategic ones; the adjustment to habits and working style; the tightening of disciplines and regulations, the control of power, the prevention and fight against corruption and waste. There has been a growing trust in Party’s leadership, State’s management among residents. The education and practice of revolutionary ethics has been paid special attention to, remarkably contributing to the prevention and cure of the ideological and lifestyle degradation, promoting the role of party members as pioneers and good examples. A series of progresses have been made in the implementation of Party and political system building, namely the increasingly strengthened socialist democracy, the further guaranteed human and resident rights, the gradually renovated apparatus, political system’s operational mechanism with improved accomplishment.

Building a transparent and strong Party is the governing factor in historic victories of the cause of Doi Moi over the past more than 3 decades in Vietnam. Thanks to the building of Party and political system, the CPV has got additional maturity in guiding the cause of Renovation, continuously enhanced its governance and ruling capacity, deepened the close-knit relationship with the masses whose creativity potential and role in the Party building, State and social management have been evoked and brought into full play.

Nevertheless, certain limitations on the Party and political system building have been exposed over the past time. The capacity to forecast, orient policies, institutionalize and concretize the organization of implementation remains a loosening stage, far from meeting the practical requirements. The management and education of party members have not been given adequate attention, resulting in low effectiveness. The quality of periodical party meetings, the fighting spirit in self-criticism and criticism are poor, so is the implementation of party member's responsibility in many party units. The reform of the leadership and ruling method of the Party has failed to get high efficiency; the division of collective leadership and personal responsibility has a number of ambiguities; The exercise of power control is far from good. The mechanism of "Party leads, State manages, People own" is slowly institutionalized in a synchronized manner. Socio-economic management still has many inadequacies, so that many cases, prolonged backlog, are slowly handled, causing frustration among the people, and so on.

Given the reality and achievements of the Party and political system building  over the past time, the following know-from-experience lessons could be drawn:

Firstly, the building of the Party and political system must be steadfastly taken on the basis of the Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh ideology, the goals of national independence and socialism, socialist democracy promotion. The building of the Party and political system is at the core of political innovation, vitally related to the political regime, which must be based on the consistent principles to apply and innovate. Consistent principles, ideological stance must go hand in hand with the fight against conservatism and stagnation; Innovation must be in line with the battle against political opportunism.

Secondly, handling the relationship between stability, innovation and development, between political innovation and economic reform in a logical manner. The Party and political system building is of fundamental content of political innovation, directly related to the maintenance socio-political stability, affecting all aspects of life, dominating the fate of the revolutionary cause. Therefore, the Party and political system building must be conducted methodically, cautiously, avoiding impatience and subjectivity, but once solid grounds come into existence, strong determination, great effort, decisive action are definitely needed.

Thirdly, in the combination of "build" and "fight", "build" is a regular, basic and long-term task, while "fight" is an important and urgent task. "Build" is a regular, basic, long-term task stemming from the need to constantly improve socialist democracy, ensuring that the Party deserves its leadership role and the responsibility of the State, which is truly of the people, by the people and for the people. In the mean time, "fight" is an important and urgent task in the face of the conspiracy, the "peaceful evolution" plot orchestrated by hostile forces and the degradation of political thought, ethic, lifestyle the manifestation of the "self-evolution”, “self-transformation” internally, which raises the demand for bold and resolute solutions to prevent, repel and create an environment for sustainable development. Whatever the policies are, “build” or “fight”, they must be conducted in a careful, systemical, steady manner in order that no sabotage or instability could be caused by hostile forces.

Fourthly, along with maintaining and strengthening of the leading role of the Party, it is of importance to respect and promote the full activeness of the affiliates of the political system. Maintaining and strengthening the leadership role of the Party is a matter of principle, a governing factor in the success of the Party and the political system building. Although the Party plays a central role in leading the affiliates of the political system, it bears no responsibility to have every work done. Instead, the Party is supposed to attach importance to promoting its active and proactive role in the management, administration of the State and supervision, social counter-argument of the Vietnam Fatherland Front as well as other socio-political organizations.

Fifthly, mobilizing, attracting and promoting the role of the people involved in the Party and political system building, "bringing politics into the middle of the people". Revolution is the cause of the people, by the people and for the people. The Party and political system building is not confined to the responsibility of cadres and party members.  Instead, it is the masses that should be mobilized to participate with appropriate mechanisms and models, ranging from intellectual and material contributions to participation in state management, inspection and supervision. There are many channels to promote the people's ownership right, in which special attention should be paid to the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations.

The achieved results have strengthened the leadership role and enhanced the Party's prestige with the public, creating a basis and premise for promoting the Party building in the coming time. However, the world situation is rapidly evolving with complexity and unpredictability. The situation in the East Sea is becoming more and more complicated. There is an amounting emergence of competition among major countries in the Asia-Pacific region, trade conflicts, trade protectionism, populism, the "peaceful evolution" plot orchestrated by hostile forces and many non-traditional challenges. The gap between the quality of institution, policies, human resources and the practical requirements remains wide. Negative phenomena, bureaucracy, corruption, "group interests", degradation of political and moral ideology, lifestyle, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" among officials and party members and the like continuously pose challenges to the building of a transparent and strong Party and political system.

The above-mentioned opportunities and challenges require the Communst Party of Vietnam to attach special importance to strengthening the building of the Party and political system on a par with the set tasks in the new period. In particular, the following major orientations should be focused:

Firstly, continuing to promote the building a  politically strong Party on the basis of mastering the scientific and revolutionary nature of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, steadfastly pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism, sticking to the reality to map out proper political guidance, which is given birth to by  the intellect of the entire Party and people; is the result of practical review and theoretical research, ensuring consistency between theory and practice; reflect the will and aspirations of the people. The correctness and lucidity of the line in the new period are reflected in arousing and promoting the strength of the entire nation, creating a breakthrough to help the country develop quickly, sustainably, and firmly safeguarding the  socialist republic of Vietnam, improving the material and spiritual life of the masses. The consistency with the Party's goals and ideals must be closely linked with continuous training in political prowess, class stance, cultivating aspirations for advancement, avoiding subjectivity in face of unfavorable advantages, staying unwavering in face of difficulties, being truly exemplary vanguard, living up to the leadership and responsibility.

Secondly, vigorously renovating ideological and theoretical work. Continuing to renovate the content and mode of ideological work to ensure the science nature, practicality, timeliness and efficiency; improving the fighting and persuasion characteristics in the propaganda and education of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thoughts, the platform, the Party's lines, the State's policies and laws. To attach significance to introducing the example "good people and good deeds" to propagate, educate, create positive effects, prevent and reverse the situation of political, ethic, lifestyle and degradation of political ideology and self-evolution", " Self-transformation". Ensuring the safety, network security, promptly prevent fake news and disinformation. Strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation, fighting against the wrong views, hostility, political opportunitinism, neutralising the plot of "peaceful evolution" orchestrated by hostile forces. Renewing theoretical thinking, continuing to clarify the theoretical and practical issues arising in the process of innovation, international integration, and urgently overcoming a number of limited aspects of practical summarization, theoretical research, providing scientific arguments for national construction and development in the new period.

Thirdly, extensively renovating organizational work and personnel work. Continuing to consolidate and organize the Party's organizational structure and political system towards streamlining, effective and effective operation. Reviewing, amending, supplementing and completing functions, tasks, powers, responsibilities and working relationships of the Party committees and administrations at all levels, ensuring the harmonious relationship between the "Party leadership, State management, People ownership”; clearly defining competence, overcoming the situation of the Party's justification or lax leadership. Building a contingent of officials at all levels, especially strategic-level cadres, who are qualified, competent and prestigious. Improving the leadership and fighting power of grassroots party organizations, well perform party members and protect internal politics. Completing regulations, regulations, clarifying the leadership role of the collective and individual responsibilities, especially the responsibility of the heads of committees, organizations, agencies and units. Screening and replacing cases of recession, weakness, failure to fulfill tasks, violation of Party discipline, and laws of the State.

Fourthly, promoting the practice of revolutionary virtues, combating the individualism, opportunism, pragmatism and "interest groups". Attaching importance to building the Party with morality so that the Party is truly "ethical and civilized". Nurturing  the sense of cultivating revolutionary virtues for life; improving resistance to all temptations; unity between thought and action, between speaking and doing; maintain the awareness of "self-reflection" and "self-correction" on the basis of promoting self-criticism and criticism, learning and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style. Completing the regime of self-discipline and orderly revolutionary moral practice. Strictly following the regulations set an example, the higher the position, the more exemplary, first of all the Politburo member, the Secretariat member, the Central Executive Committee member. Actively fighting against individualism, opportunism, pragmatism, "interest groups". Strictly handling violations of the revolutionary moral standards of party members, and at the same time encouraging and hailing the moral examples to create pervasive influence in the Party and society.

Fifthly, consolidating the control of power, upholding discipline, discipline, resolutely fight against corruption and waste. Creating dramatical shift in the inspection, supervision and discipline of the Party. Perfecting regulations and laws to ensure the synchronization between the Party's inspection, supervision and discipline with the State's supervision, inspection, audit and social supervision. Combining prevention with punishment. Perfecting the power control mechanism for the heads of committees, organizations, agencies and units in carrying out their assigned duties, and preserving morality and lifestyle. Renovating and consolidating the apparatus of inspection, supervision, audit, investigation, supervision and adjudication agencies in order to ensure full competence to protect the law, uphold discipline and discipline. Resolutely fighting against corruption and waste by perfecting the preventive, preventing, and strict sanctions mechanisms so that officials cannot be corrupted, dare not be corrupt, and do not need corruption. Improving the responsibilities of heads of committees, governments, organizations, agencies and units in the fight against corruption and waste.

Sixthly, continuing to renovate and perfect the political system in parallel with renewing Party leadership methods. Focusing on researching and perfecting the overall model of the political system. Reviewing and consolidating the entire political system in the direction of streamlining, overcoming the duplication of functions and tasks. Strongly renovating the Party's leadership mode towards the State, strengthening the capacity of ruling, avoiding the leadership loosening, advoiding justification, respecting the State's active role in management and administration, obey the law. Building and developing the socialist law-governed State, ensuring uniformity in the entire legislative, executive and judicial domains, the central and local governments; upholding the mission of serving the people; clarifying the relationship between the State, the market and the society. Consolidating the organizational structure of the National Assembly, improving the professionalism and quality of legislative activities, supreme supervision and decision making. Promoting administrative reform, build an administration of integrity and action, serving the people and businesses. Renewing the Party's leadership mode for the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, respecting the principle of democratic negotiation in the organization and operation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in association with streamlining the apparatus, improving efficiency of gathering and mobilizing people, carrying out social supervision and criticism.

Seventhly, bringing into full play the role of the public in the building of the Party and political system, strengthening the close-knit relationship between the Party and the State with the masses. Thoroughly grasping the point of view of President Ho Chi Minh as follows: revolution is the cause of the people, by the people and for the people; “If something is beneficial to the people, we must try our best to do it. On the contrary, if it is detrimental to the people we must try our best to avoid”; "The leadership in all practical activities of the Party must originate from the masses, back to the masses". Renewing the contents and modes of dissemination and mobilization of the people in a practical way, taking their legitimate needs and interests of the people of different strata as an important driving force for the work of mobilizing and gathering the people; towards the grassroots level, paying attention to new factors, creative ways and widespread impacts. Raising the responsibility of the entire political system for the mobilization work, focusing on the mobilization work of the government, focusing on perfecting mechanisms and policies to meet legitimate needs and aspirations of the people, adjusting the ways and manners to serve the people of cadres and civil servants, harmoniously resolving the interests. Improving the efficiency of contacting voters, supervisors, receiving people, dialogues, and settling complaints and denunciations of the people. Combating the manifestation of apathy, emotionlessness, authoritarianism, bossyness and harassment against the people. Actively renovating the content and mode of operation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations on a focused, realistic, effective basis with the aim of safeguarding the legitimate and appropriate rights and interests of the masses./.

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(1) Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Labor Publishing House, Hanoi, 2014, p. 12.
(2) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Episode, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995, Episode. 5, p. 698
(3) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Episode, National Politics Truth Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, Episode. 5, p. 330
 

Source: Communist Review No. 930 (11-2019)