Disillusioned by the arguments of conceptual manipulation.

Prior to the pilot program to build a "socialist commune/ward" model, some websites and social media accounts posted distorted information, deliberately conflating the concept of "piloting a grassroots governance model" with "returning to the subsidy era" in order to mislead public opinion in an extremist direction, contrary to the Party and State's orientation of building a good, just society for the happiness of the people.

Misrepresentation of concepts

At a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee on March 30, General Secretary and President To Lam suggested that Hanoi should establish a model of a socialist ward or commune in the near future. Following General Secretary and President To Lam's suggestion, Hanoi has proceeded with the implementation steps to successfully pilot the model of a socialist ward or commune, demonstrating the positive nature of the regime right from the level closest to the people; in which all policies and activities are directed towards the people, for the happiness of the people, ensuring fairness, progress, and leaving no one behind.

In the face of Vietnam's development achievements, all distorted narratives are meaningless. (Photo: People strolling on Doc Lap Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi. Photo: QUANG PHUC)

However, on the internet, many anti-government accounts have distorted and misrepresented the positive nature of the policy initiated by the General Secretary and President, and which Hanoi is determined to implement. The Facebook page "CTMM" posted an article with a misguided tone, deliberately placing the construction of "socialist communes and wards" in opposition to the global trend of technological and artificial intelligence development. This account also misled public opinion into believing that Vietnam is "going against the times" by raising vague questions about the feasibility of the model, aiming to sow doubt. Meanwhile, the reactionary organization "VT" propagated baseless arguments to deny the country's development achievements after 40 years of reform; deliberately labeling the research on the "socialist commune and ward" model as merely a "formality".

Some personal accounts use extremist language to attack, citing the collapse of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to deny the brilliant achievements of Vietnam's reform process, which stemmed from its correct choice of development path.

These arguments deliberately distort concepts and set a flashy "academic trap" by equating "research and piloting of grassroots governance models" with "returning to the centrally planned economy era," thereby creating confusion and skepticism among the public. In reality, "piloting" is a common governance method, adopted by many countries to test the effectiveness of policies before widespread implementation.

Verification through the practical experiences of the people.

The argument that building "socialist communes and wards" is tantamount to "returning to the centrally planned economy" is fundamentally flawed and lacks scientific and practical basis. Equating the centrally planned economic model with a socialist-oriented market economy is a tactic of fragmenting history, refusing to acknowledge the role of different economic models in specific historical periods.

Dr. Le Thi Anh Dao, Deputy Director of the Regional Political Academy II, analyzed that the construction of "socialist communes and wards" operates on the foundation of a socialist-oriented market economy. Accordingly, the State recognizes and protects by law the role of economic sectors, including the private sector and private property rights; encourages people to legitimately enrich themselves, freely conduct business, and integrate internationally. Building wards and communes according to this model creates a favorable business environment and enhances local competitiveness, rather than being a copycat or a return to the "subsidized economy era."

The central government's selection of grassroots levels (wards and communes) to pilot new models is not accidental. It represents a shift from a purely "administrative management" mindset to a "development-oriented" one. Wards and communes are where policies are implemented concretely in real life. State governance must begin with solving the development problems at the grassroots level.

To identify online distortions, according to Dr. Le Thi Anh Dao, citizens need to equip themselves with an information "filter" based on their understanding of national history; they need to have the skills to verify information. In particular, citizens need to strengthen their ideological "resistance": They need to keep abreast of the Party's guidelines and the State's policies from official information channels; understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens in cyberspace; and have faith in the State's leadership and the supremacy of law.

Doctors from the Central Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Hanoi provide free health check-ups for elderly people in Hanoi. Photo: QUOC KHANH

According to Associate Professor Dr. Dang Quang Dinh, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, the greatest value of this model lies in shifting the focus from "building socialism at a general level" to "verifying socialism through the practical lives of the people." Previously, development was primarily assessed through macroeconomic indicators such as economic growth rate, GDP size, and infrastructure. Now, the question is addressed more directly and realistically: are the people truly better served, do they feel social justice, and do they live in a safe, humane, and trustworthy environment?

Therefore, socialist communes and wards should not be understood simply as a "political designation" or a new administrative model, but rather as a model of grassroots governance in which core values ​​are institutionalized and implemented concretely. In such a model, the government must truly serve the people; the people must truly be the subjects of the development process; and all policies must aim to improve the quality of life and happiness of the people.

Associate Professor Dr. Dang Quang Dinh argues that, in the context of Vietnam entering a new era of development with the goal of becoming a high-income developed country by the middle of the 21st century, the requirement is not only economic growth but also improving the quality of development, governance, and the quality of life of the people. This makes the construction of socialist commune and ward models a strategic requirement.

The happiness of the people is the most important measure.

At a recent meeting of the Hanoi People's Committee, the Task Force for building the "Socialist Commune and Ward" model in Hanoi for the period 2026-2030 and beyond reviewed the draft plan for piloting the "Socialist Commune and Ward" model in Hanoi.

According to the draft, "socialist communes and wards" are defined as an integrated development and governance model at the grassroots level, in which the government not only performs administrative functions but also directly transforms the goals and values ​​of socialism into concrete development results in the area. The model aims to reorganize development space, restructure socio-economic activities, innovate governance methods, ensure harmony between economic growth and social progress and equity, develop culture and human resources, and promote the people's right to self-governance. Notably, the improvement in the quality of life, satisfaction, and happiness of the people is identified as the most important comprehensive measure. Hanoi plans to select two adjacent communes to pilot the socialist commune/ward model, with a population of approximately 700,000 people.

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lac-long-nhung-luan-dieu-danh-trao-khai-niem-post854244.html