The Party Branch Secretary is close to the people, respects the people, and works for the people.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital city, there are people who quietly dedicate themselves, finding joy in the peace and unity of the people.

Among such individuals is Ngo Van Thanh, Secretary of the Party Branch of residential area 32 (Ba Dinh ward) - a person full of enthusiasm for grassroots Party work.

Ngo Van Thanh, Secretary of the Party Cell of Residential Area 32 (Ba Dinh Ward). Photo: MH

The courage of a soldier

Having enlisted in the People's Armed Police Force (now the Border Guard) in 1971, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh experienced the most brutal years on the northern border. His practical experiences on the battlefield and his studies at the Border Guard Academy, the Law University, and the Advanced Military Political Academy forged a resilient character and a solid foundation of legal knowledge.

Before retiring in 2012 with the rank of Colonel, he held important positions at the Central Military Court. Immediately after completing his military service, instead of spending time resting with his family, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh joined the local Party organization – where he continued to shine in his own unique way.

Having become the Party Branch Secretary of the residential area since 2012, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh has gradually become familiar with Party work at the grassroots level and the responsibilities of a Party committee leader.

Comrade Ngo Van Thanh (fifth from right) and city and Ba Dinh ward leaders at the inauguration ceremony of the "Green, Clean, Beautiful, Safe, and Civilized Residential Area" project at the 28 Dien Bien Phu apartment complex, January 2026. Photo: Provided by the interviewee .

Comrade Thanh shared that the most difficult challenge for grassroots leaders is education and persuasion. With his experience as a practicing lawyer at the Hanoi Bar Association, he always takes the supremacy of law and the Party's policies as his guiding principles for all actions. He believes: "If you have a firm grasp of the law, then your propaganda and persuasion of the people will be well-founded, and they will listen."

In his community outreach work, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh always prioritizes setting a good example. He doesn't shy away from any task, from participating in cultural and artistic activities despite admitting he "doesn't sing well," to directly mediating even the smallest conflicts within households. "We believe that cadres and Party members must lead by example, and only then will the people trust and follow. When people see that cadres' words match their actions, they will spontaneously respond," he said.

Based on that principle, many movements in the residential area have received high consensus. A highlight of the work is the "Civilized Urban Residential Area" model. Comrade Ngo Van Thanh mobilized over 320 million VND through social contributions to renovate alleyways, install flowerbeds, improve the landscape, and focus on making breakthroughs in urban order, effectively addressing the long-standing problem of cars illegally parked on the road in alley 28B, Dien Bien Phu Street. As a result, political security and social order have been maintained; the urban landscape has become increasingly neat and civilized; and the "Model Residential Area for Civilized Urban Area" has been successfully established.

According to Nguyen Thuy Duong, Secretary of the Youth Union of residential area No. 32, thanks to the efforts of Comrade Ngo Van Thanh, the aforementioned project has contributed to the recognition of the 28 Dien Bien Phu residential area as a "Green, Clean, Beautiful, Safe, and Civilized Residential Area," in chào mừng the 14th National Congress of the Party in January 2026. The project not only creates a green, clean, and civilized space but also spreads the beauty of civilized behavior within the community.

Party Secretary of residential area 32, Ngo Van Thanh, visits residents in the area. Photo: MH

Close to the people, respect the people, and serve the people.

In Party branch activities, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh consistently and strictly implemented the principle of democratic centralism, emphasized self-criticism and criticism, and strengthened inspection and supervision of the implementation of resolutions. In particular, he always maintained close contact with Party members and the people, listening to their opinions and promptly grasping their thoughts and aspirations to find appropriate solutions.

"To have a strong Party branch, we must first maintain unity, democracy, and discipline. Anything that concerns the people must be discussed openly and transparently, so that the people know, discuss, participate, and supervise," Comrade Thanh shared.

Despite being 73 years old, he diligently studies and applies information technology to his work, from drafting documents to managing party members online. For the Party Secretary of residential area No. 32, technology is a tool to get closer to the people, although implementing it for elderly party members still presents many "challenging" issues.

To fulfill his role as the "community leader," Comrade Ngo Van Thanh set aside personal matters to prioritize the work of the Party branch.

Comrade Ngo Van Thanh conveys the opinions and suggestions of the people to the National Assembly delegates at the voter consultation meeting before the ninth session of the 15th National Assembly, April 2025. Photo: HT

What is admirable about Comrade Ngo Van Thanh is not only his concrete achievements, but also his working style that is close to the people, respects the people, and serves the people. His sincerity, responsibility, and exemplary spirit as a Party Branch Secretary have created a positive ripple effect, arousing a sense of community responsibility in every citizen. Examples like Comrade Ngo Van Thanh contribute to enhancing the image of cadres and Party members who "respect the people, are close to the people, understand the people, and serve the people" in the hearts of the people.

According to Pham Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Party Building Committee of Ba Dinh Ward, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh, with his efforts and dedication, has successfully led and directed the Party Cell of Residential Area 32, gathering and mobilizing cadres, Party members, and the people to actively participate in the activities of the residential area in the political and administrative center of the Capital.

That dedication has been richly rewarded. Comrade Ngo Van Thanh is one of the outstanding Party Branch Secretaries selected and honored by the Central Organization Department on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2026). Regarding this honor, he stated: "This is a source of pride for me, but also a heavier responsibility to build a clean and strong Party branch, and to make the residential area a model of urban civilization."

Ngo Van Thanh, Secretary of the Party Branch of Residential Area 32, is a living example of a Party member who "walks the talk," always upholding the qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho in all circumstances. His story is not only an example of dedication but also a valuable lesson in the seamless combination of intelligence, law, and human compassion in grassroots mobilization work.

During the period 2015-2019, the Party Cell of Residential Area 32, led by Comrade Ngo Van Thanh as Secretary, received a Certificate of Commendation from the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee. For many consecutive years, the Party Cell and Comrade Thanh personally were classified as Party members who "Outstandingly fulfilled their duties".

During his career, Comrade Ngo Van Thanh was awarded the Military Banner of Victory Medal, the First-Class Military Merit Medal; the Third-Class National Defense Medal; the First, Second, and Third-Class Glorious Soldier Medals; the Military Banner of Victory Medal; and the 45-Year Party Membership Badge. He received numerous Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of National Defense, the Supreme People's Court, and the General Political Department. He also received a Certificate of Merit from the Hanoi City Party Committee, along with many other awards.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bi-thu-chi-bo-gan-dan-trong-dan-vi-dan-732192.html