Communist Review - Over nearly 90 years, the Communist Party of Vietnam has implemented various measures to prevent and fight bureaucracy and corruption, thus making significant contributions to building a clean and strong Party and lead our country achieve tremendous and historic victories. In the last two terms, due to the promulgation and resolute implementation of thematic resolutions, this task has been particularly appreciated by the Party.

Constant efforts

In the context of the one-Party ruling, besides most of the vanguard, exemplary Party members trusting by the people, there are a considerable number of the Party members being deteriorated in political ideology, morality and lifestyle, which are detrimental to the leading role, fighting strength and political prestige of the Party. Therefore, in the two recent terms of the Party Congress, the Party Central Committee has issued and focused resources on organizing the implementation of the two crucial Resolutions on this field.

On 16 January 2012, the Fourth Conference of the 11th Party Central Committee issued Resolution No.12-NQ/TW “Current urgent issues on Party building”, which identified one of the three urgent issues that need to be focused on resolving is to fight, prevent and repulsing the degradation of political ideology, ethics and lifestyle among Party members and cadres, particularly the leading and managerial cadres at different levels. This was also identified as “the most central, comprehensive and urgent issue”.

After four years of implementation, the 12th Party Congress has reserved a report on evaluating the implementation results of the 4th Plenum of the Central Conference’s Resolution, 11th Tenure which has many advantages, but basically has yet to achieve the goals and requirements. Thus, the Party Congress has determined the direction and task of building the Party in the coming years is “concentrating on resolutely and persistently continuing to implement the Resolution of the 4th Plenum of Party Central Committee, 11th Tenure”(1). The first of the six critical tasks of the whole term was also identified as: "Enhancing the building and rectification of the Party; preventing and repulsing the degradation in political ideology, ethics and lifestyle as well as the manifestation of the internal “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”(2).

Therefore, right from the beginning of the term, the 12th Party Central Committee issued Resolution No. 04-NQ/TW, dated 30 October 2016, “Enhancing the building and rectification of the Party; preventing and repulsing the degradation in political ideology, ethics and lifestyle as well as the manifestation of the internal “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”.

For nearly three years, thoroughly grasping the resolute views, persevering in implementation with high political determination and great efforts; promoting the initiative, creativity and synergy of both the political system and the people, the Resolution of the 4th Plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee was taken seriously and achieving some specific results:

Firstly, the awareness on the meaning and the importance of building and rectifying the Party of the Party committees at all levels, cadres, party members and people has increased fully, comprehensively and more profoundly.

The party committees have seriously implemented projects, specific action plans. They organized the implementation of the Resolution of the 4th plenum of the 12th the Party Central Committee attached to Decree No. 05-CT/TW, dated 15 May 2016, of the Politburo, "On promoting learning and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, style" under the direction and guidance of the Central Government. The Central Propaganda Department has developed and implemented an annual propaganda plan on the political, ethical and lifestyle ideas in the Party and society. The Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy has added more lectures on revolutionary ethics education to cadres and party members in the high-level political theory program and continues to deploy to the entire system of political academies throughout the country. The Central Organizing Committee cooperates with the People's Newspaper, the Communist Review, Vietnam Television and Vietnam Journalists Association to organize a national press conference on building the Party called "Golden Hammer and Sickle" every year attracting many journalists of all types of newspapers to respond and participate enthusiastically and achieve very positive results. Press and broadcast media have spent considerable time in various forms with specific and useful contents to propagate and encourage people to contribute to building a clean and strong political system. Many high-quality articles are not only promptly praise advanced examples, but also discover and criticize organizations and individuals that have manifestation of decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle. This might even put pressure on the authorities to solve urgent social problems, which is highly agreed by the people.

Many levels of party committees and organizations have good methods, such as publishing notebooks, examining the Resolution of the 4th Plenum of Party Central Committee, 12th Tenure and Decree No. 05-CT/TW of the 12th Politburo, "Four-Good" Party Cells, concretizing the manifestations of decline in political ideology, morality, lifestyle for Party members to avoid, prevent and fight against them; discussing and developing ethical standards of agencies and professions, specify regulations on officials and party members, especially on the responsibility of setting an example of the leader; assigning party members and levels of members to organize meetings with the branch of residential quarters monthly; assigning party members to be in charge of helping and encouraging a number of civilian families to follow the Party's guidelines, the State's laws and local regulations; periodically organizing direct dialogues between the authorities and citizens, businesses, etc. Along with the National Assembly promulgating the Law on Cyber Security, all levels need to promote information dissemination and promptly criticize bad and harmful information, contributing to raising the sense of the alertness, fighting against wrong allegations, propaganda inciting, against the Party and State of hostile forces.

The efforts of the Party committees and agencies, the "army of information - media" have made real changes in the awareness and actions of the whole Party and people on preventing and repulsing the degradations in political ideology, morality, lifestyle, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" in the Party and society.

Second, the promulgation of Party's documents has been given special attention, making an important contribution to close the "loopholes" of rules and regulations that can be negatively exploited.

The Party Central documents on the Party building are the basis for the Party Committees at all levels to organize the Party building plan conveniently and consistently. The Party's advisory agencies have provided the Party to issue many guidelines and instructions on all aspects of the Party's work, especially the inspection and organization, personnel - which is very sensitive and complex.

It can be said that, there has never been before when the Party's documents on Cadre work have been completed, revised, supplemented or promulgated as much as in the past half of the term (45 documents)(3).

This reflects the drastic guidance of the Central Government, the high political efforts and determination of the Party's advisory agencies, contributing to the system of a relatively complete, comprehensive documents and play an important role in the implementation of the solution is to make officials and public employees "unable to corrupx". Accordingly, the Party committees implement specific rules, regulations, programs, plans and schemes suitable to each locality, agency and unit. The most drastic and synchronous implementation of solutions to fight to prevent and reverse the decline in political ideology, morality, lifestyle, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" is most effective. These are urgent cases and incidents in the public opinion, which have contributed to consolidating and raising the people's confidence in the Party.

Thirdly, the role of Party organizations, heads of agencies and units in the prevention and fighting of recession in political, ethical and lifestyle ideals of cadres and party members has been gradually promoted.

Imbued with President Ho Chi Minh's teachings: “a living example is worth more than a hundred propaganda speeches” (4), “You must self-righteous first, in order to help others. If you are not righteous, but want others to be righteous is nonsense” (5), the Communist Party of Vietnam always considers the role of cadres and party members to be one of the Party's main modes of leadership.

Party committees and organizations at all levels are the subjects that lead, direct and prevent the decline of political ideology, morality, lifestyle in the Party and society; at the same time, the subjects must implement prevention and fighting against degradation of political ideology, morality and lifestyle. Therefore, the party committees and party organizations at all levels have strictly implemented the regulations and instructions of their superiors in self-criticism, self-criticism and criticism, set out their action plan, and committed to rectifying their defects. Many agencies and units also identify specific negative manifestations close to their functions, tasks and actual situation; marking each emulation criterion as a basis for assessing the quality and classification of party organizations and party members every year. Many levels of party committees and organizations have held opinions and listened to, received comments, even combined the scoring results of the relevant agencies and units before conducting the review. assessing cadres and party members, so the evaluation and classification of party organizations and party members have become more substantive.

Party committees at all levels have strictly implemented Regulation No. 08-QDi/TW, dated 25 October 2018, of the Party Central Committee, and simultaneously implemented Regulation No. 101-QD/TW, dated 7 June 2012, of the Secretariat, "On the responsibility of setting an example of cadres and party members, especially key cadres at all levels"; Regulation No. 55-QD / TW, dated 19 September 2016, of the Politburo, "On a number of things to be done immediately to enhance the role of cadres and party members." The work of reviewing, supplementing and promulgating rules, regulations and normative documents has been paid more attention. In the leadership and direction work, attaching importance to and improving the working style and way of working; actively reform administrative procedures and apply information technology. Consciousness to abide by the Party's guidelines, the laws of the State, especially the public service ethics of cadres and party members has been raised.

Fourthly, the inspection, supervision and party discipline are carried out synchronously and drastically, especially at the central level, with significant effects, highly supported by party members and people.

A new feature in the inspection, supervision and party discipline is to focus on inspecting and disciplining cadres and party members who are in decline in political ideology, morality, lifestyle, including high cadres. Granted, incumbent or retired. There are litigants who have been prosecuted, investigated and handled in accordance with the law, because of corruption or violation of speech discipline ... This is a big breakthrough in the inspection, supervision and enforce party discipline, contribute proactively to prevent violations of high-ranking cadres and provincial officials, warnings and common deterrents to all officials and party members. The results also contributed to the removal of "restricted areas" and "exceptions"; asserted no concessions, no stops in the struggle to clean up the Party, preventing "term thinking" and "landing safely" for all officials and party members. Party discipline and discipline are tightened. Leadership and direction for streamlining the streamlined, effective and efficient apparatus and synchronous implementation of many solutions for building a contingent of cadres and restructuring the contingent of cadres, civil servants and public employees The Resolution of the Central Conference 6, Resolution of the 7th plenum of the 12th Tenure has achieved remarkable results. The inspection, investigation, prosecution and adjudication are paid more attention and direction, especially for cases, causing large and prolonged losses, major and serious corruption cases.

Over half of the term of the XII Congress, the Central Inspection Committee has disciplined and asked the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat to decide on discipline more than 70 officials under the Central management. including 1 member of the Politburo member; 5 current Party Central Committee members and 3 of them were removed from the Party Central Committee; 14 former comrades of the Central Party Committee, the rest include the provincial party secretary, deputy party secretary, central-affiliated city party committee, party secretary, deputy secretary, member of party committee, branch and party secretary , deputy party secretary, chairman of the board of state economic groups, 20 general officers in the Army and Police.

Fifth, promoting the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations and people in building the Party.

The party committees paid attention to leading the implementation of Decision No.217-QD/TW, dated 12 December 2013, of the 12th Politburo, “Promulgating the Regulation on social supervision and criticism of Face Battle of Vietnam Fatherland and socio-political organizations" and Decision No. 218-QD/TW, dated 12 December 2013, of the Politburo, “Provisions on the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the socio-political organizations and people contribute their opinions to building the Party and the government”; pay more attention to the supervision of the people, public opinion of cadres and civil staffs in agencies and units to the heads and key cadres, to expand democracy in Party organizations and organizations state and society.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have gradually been more active in promoting the role of social supervision and criticism, taking part in building the Party, building a contingent of officials and party members. In many ways, it is effective to adjust the behaviors of officials and party members in a positive way, contributing to warnings and prevention of violations.

Some limitations need to be addressed

Some party committees, party organizations, and party members have not been really enthusiastic, not fully aware and lack of seriousness in disseminating, researching, grasping and studying the Resolution of the 4th plenum of the Central Conference associated with the Decree No. 05 - CT/TW of the Politburo; the implementation of the solutions mentioned in the Resolution is not drastic, inconsistent, and unconnected between levels, sectors, fields and localities. The formulation of action programs, schemes and implementation plans is not close to the situation and characteristics of localities, agencies and units, lacking feasibility and even arising new shortcomings. There is still a situation in which cadres, party members, heads of party committees, authorities and key officials at all levels have not yet raised the sense of responsibility to set an example, also show coping, avoiding, and lack of examples in daily life. , work, decline in political thought, morality, lifestyle.

A number of party committees and organizations have not been able to timely grasp the situation and focus on leadership to deal with urgent and emerging issues; Slowly considering and thoroughly handling the people's right and lawful feedbacks, petitions and complaints. The effectiveness of the Party's inspection, supervision and discipline at many provincial, district and grassroots party committees is not really clear; even, many places are still subjective, considering the decline of political ideology, lifestyle ethics, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" only in other places and not in their party organizations. and with myself.

Examination, supervision, inspection, investigation, prosecution and adjudication are still limited, some cases and cases have not been coordinated closely and synchronously; In some places, due diligence testing has not been taken seriously, the province has not been proactive in detecting and resolving to handle violating officials and party members. There are cases where officials and party members violate but are not handled in time, leading to more serious violations, even subject to criminal liability. The implementation of recommendations and conclusions after inspection, examination and supervision is generally slow, not thorough.

The management of journalism, publishing, internet and social network activities is limited, not timely and with low efficiency. Information, propaganda and direction orientation have not been timely. Struggles of functional forces against "peaceful evolution" and wrong views, misrepresentation, slandering, defaming the honor and prestige of the Party and State leaders of hostile forces, Political opportunities are not really proactive and their effectiveness is still low.

Party committees, organizations leading, directing the implementation of self-criticism, criticism is not specific, still formal. The remedy of shortcomings and limitations after the review is unclear, has not made a clear change. The evaluation and classification of the quality of party organization and party members in some places have not been close to reality, still showing "achievement obsession". Many subordinate committees have not actively implemented many important decisions of the Central Government in the fight against corruption. The declaration of assets and income has not changed significantly and is basically in a state of formality and coping. Decision No. 217-QD / TW and Decision No. 218-QD / TW, 12 December 2013, of the 12th Politburo, were slow to be implemented and had low effectiveness.

The role of criticism and the implementation of the supervision of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations is still limited, not yet promoting the strong role of the people and the press in the fight against degradation, "self-evolution", "self-transformation", corruption, waste. The identification and handling of manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" are still confusing. The issues of indulgence, fear of confrontation and avoidance of responsibility still occur in many places. Many party committees have not strictly implemented Decision No. 99-QD / TW, dated October 3, 2017, of the Central Party Secretariat, “Promulgating framework guidelines for the reception of party committees and party organizations under the Central Government continue to promote the role of the people in the struggle to prevent and repulse the recession, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” internally”. There are even committees when implementing the Framework Guidelines, which cut out important and "sensitive" contents, such as forms of asset disclosure, reporting and explanation ... There are very specific, such as “Do not promote, appoint cadres who are heads, deputy heads of the organization, cadres in the locality and the unit who do not strictly and ineffectively implemented Resolution No. 39-NQ/TW Central Committee”, but many agencies do not publicize the plans, roadmap and payroll streamlining results, so it is difficult to promote the role of the people in this important work.

Fighting, preventing and repulsing the degradation of political, ethical and lifestyle ideologies, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" are always difficult, and must be conducted regularly, continuously and resolutely, even via many strong solutions. The Central Government is directing, inspecting and reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the 4th plenum of the 12th Central Conference, which will surely draw valuable experiences, continue to improve guidelines and solutions to the Resolution. really come to life, meet the people's expectations./.

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(1), (2) Instrument of the 12th National Congress, Office of the Party Central Committee, Hanoi, 2016, p. 199, 217
(3) Regulation No. 85-QD/TW, May 23, 2017, of the Politburo, “The inspection and supervision of the asset declaration of officials of the Politburo and the Secretariat of Management”; Decree No. 28-CT/TW, dated 21 January 2019, of the Secretariat, “Improving the quality of admission of party members and reviewing, screening and removing party members who are no longer eligible to leave the Party”; Regulation No. 179-QD/TW, dated 25-2-2019, of the Politburo, "The regime of inspection and supervision of cadre work"; Regulation No. 102-QD/TW, dated November 15, 2017, of the Politburo, "Addressing members violating Party Disciplines"; Regulation No. 07-QD/TW, dated August 28, 2018, of the Politburo, "Addressing organizations violating Party Disciplines"; Regulation No. 11-QD/TW, dated February 18, 1919, of the Politburo, “The responsibility of the head of the party committee in receiving, directly discussing with people and handling the feedback, opinions and offers of people”; Regulation 08-QD/TW, October 25, 2018, of the Party Central Committee, "The responsibility of setting an example for cadres and party members, first of all Politburo members, Secretariat members, Member of the Party Central Committee"; Regulation No. 90-QD/TW, dated August 4, 2017, of the Politburo, “Criteria for titles, criteria for evaluating cadres belonging to the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and the Secretariat”; Regulation No. 89-QD/TW, dated August 4, 2017, of the Politburo, "Framework for title criteria, orientation of criteria for evaluating leaders and managers at all levels". In particular, the 12th Plenum of the 12th Plenum issued Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, dated October 25, 2017, “A number of issues on the continued renewal and organizational structure of the political system. streamlining, effective and efficient operation", followed by the 7th Plenum of the 12th Tenure of the Party Central Committee issued Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW, dated 19-5-2018, "On focusing on building a contingent of officials of especially the strategic level, sufficient quality, capacity and reputation, on a mission level ...”

(4) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, the National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002, vol. 1, p.284.
(5) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, the National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002, vol. 6, p.130

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This article was published in the Communist Review No. 927 (October 2019)