General Secretary To Lam with people of Bac Ninh province_Photo: VNA
Some theoretical and practical issues on the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Culture is the “quintessence, the most quintessential, distilled, crystallized, and molded into the best, noblest, most unique values, very humane, benevolent, humane, humane, progressive” (1) . Accordingly, the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the values, standards, principles, codes of conduct, and resolution of relationships within the Party organization and the contingent of cadres and Party members, demonstrating scientific , revolutionary, democratic, progressive, and humane nature. In general, according to President Ho Chi Minh, the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam “is ethical and civilized” (2) . The leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the crystallization and most concentrated expression of national culture; it is the foundation and endogenous strength that ensures the implementation of the goal of building a clean and strong Party and political system; is an important factor contributing to enhancing the Party's leadership and governing capacity, promoting people's mastery, and building great national unity.
The leadership and governance culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the core of political culture. These are the values of truth, goodness, and beauty in the Party's guidelines, policies, laws; in the Party's organizational and operational principles; in the working style, manners, behavior, ethics, and lifestyle of cadres and Party members; in the relationship between the Party and the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, between the Party and the people... The leadership and governance culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam is richly and vividly expressed in all activities of the Party, in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organization and cadres, in terms of thinking and action..., which in summary can be summarized in the following main aspects:
Firstly, the revolutionary, scientific, democratic, progressive, and humane nature of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's policies and laws. The Party's and State's guidelines, policies, and laws must put the national and ethnic interests above all else; "truly stem from the requirements, aspirations, rights, and legitimate and just interests of the people" (3) ; be built on a scientific basis, respect objective laws, and be consistent with the trends of the times and the country's reality. President Ho Chi Minh clearly pointed out that whatever is beneficial to the people, we must do our utmost to do; whatever is harmful to the people, we must avoid at all costs. Apart from the interests of the people, our Party has no other interests. This is the clearest, most profound, and fundamental manifestation of the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Second, the scientific, revolutionary, and humane nature of the organizational and operational principles of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Party takes democratic centralism as its basic organizational principle; at the same time, it implements the principles of self-criticism and criticism, solidarity on the basis of the Political Platform and the Party Charter, closely ties with the people, and operates within the framework of the Constitution and the law. In particular, to properly resolve the relationship within the Party, President Ho Chi Minh required that Party members must have comradely love for each other, and live together with meaning and affection. The Party emphasizes the spirit of "comradely love" in the Party Charter. The principles of Party building are affirmed, supplemented, and developed through the terms of Party congresses on the basis of summarizing the rich practices of revolutionary leadership and Party building work.
Third, the pioneering, exemplary, and ethical standards of the Party cadres and members. The exemplary role of the Party cadres and members is one of the important leadership and governing methods of the Party, because “the Party members go first, the country follows”. President Ho Chi Minh pointed out that a living example is worth more than a hundred propaganda speeches. The intelligence, ethics, dedication, and exemplary role of the Party cadres and members are the most vivid and convincing practical manifestations for the people of the Party’s leadership and governing culture. Training in revolutionary ethics and the behavioral style of the Party cadres and members must be regular and continuous; at the same time, fighting uncompromisingly against individualism - a dangerous “internal invader”; Because, “A nation, a party and each person, who were great yesterday and had great appeal, will not necessarily be loved and praised by everyone today and tomorrow, if their hearts are no longer pure, if they fall into individualism” (4) .
Fourth, the scientific and appropriate relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the components of the political system. The political system in Vietnam includes: the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. These components are closely linked together, forming a unified political system, with the common goal of building and developing the country along the socialist path. The Party leads the political system, and is also a part of that system. The Party leads but does not make excuses or replace organizations in the political system, but respects and promotes the role of the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. The State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations are under the leadership of the Party but promote dynamism, creativity, and fully exercise their powers and responsibilities according to the Constitution, laws and regulations of each organization.
Fifth, the close relationship between the Party and the political system with the people. The Communist Party of Vietnam respects and promotes the people's right to mastery, is subject to the people's supervision; relies on the people to build the Party; unites and leads the people to carry out the revolutionary cause. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a state of the people, by the people, for the people; all state power belongs to the people. The Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations gather, unite and represent the voice, will and interests of its members before the Party and the State; protect the legitimate rights and interests of its members; care for the material and spiritual lives of its members. The close relationship between the Party and the political system with the people is the main source of the great strength of our Party and nation, establishing the great victories of the Vietnamese revolution over the past century.
Our Party's awareness and theoretical thinking on building a culture of leadership and governance are constantly being improved and developed. Resolution No. 03-NQ/TW, dated July 16, 1998, of the 5th Central Conference, Session VIII, "On building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity", emphasized that one of the urgent tasks is to build healthy ideology, ethics, lifestyle and cultural life in society, first of all in Party and State organizations, in mass organizations...; at the same time, resolutely eliminate degenerate elements, degenerate in quality and ethics from Party organizations and State agencies. Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW, dated June 9, 2014, of the 9th Central Conference, Session XI, “On building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development” affirms that one of the key tasks to build a clean and strong political system is to focus on building culture in the Party, in state agencies and organizations. The 12th National Congress of the Party stated the viewpoint as well as the task of building culture in politics and economics; “attach importance to building culture in party organizations, state agencies, and in the political system, the important content of which is to continue to promote studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle” (5) . The 13th National Party Congress clearly stated: “Build and implement cultural standards in leadership and management. Focus on building a healthy, democratic, united, and humane workplace cultural environment; repel bureaucracy, factionalism, disunity, opportunism, and pragmatism” (6) . The 2021 National Cultural Conference determined that building culture in the Party, state agencies, and the entire political system is to create motivation, trust, and spread strongly among the people. Most recently, on May 9, 2024, the Politburo issued Regulation No. 144-QD/TW on “Revolutionary ethical standards of cadres and party members in the new period”. Clearly, the Party's resolutions and directives on culture have continuously improved the awareness of the role and connotation of the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in line with the development of the situation and tasks. In particular, political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, behavior, and resolving relationships of each party organization, each cadre, and party member are central, key, and urgent issues that need to be resolved when building the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
In recent times, with the political determination and correct leadership of the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the drastic participation of the entire political system, the supervision and response of the people, the leadership and governance culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam has been gradually consolidated and enhanced. The pioneering and exemplary role of cadres and party members has been highly promoted in natural disaster prevention and control, rescue, and disease prevention and control. In particular, in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees in the political system, especially cadres in the health sector, the army, the police and grassroots cadres have upheld their sense of responsibility on the dangerous front line, serving the people, taking care of people's health and lives day and night. These are the most vivid and convincing manifestations to our people and international friends of the bright culture and ethics of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The work of preventing and combating corruption has been led and directed resolutely and comprehensively; “corruption has been gradually controlled, prevented and tended to decrease” (7) . The communication and behavior of officials and civil servants with citizens in the performance of public duties has changed significantly. The people’s trust in the Party, the State and the socialist regime has been constantly enhanced.
However, the leadership and governance culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam still has many limitations and shortcomings. In particular, "the degradation of political ideology, morality, lifestyle, individualism, "group interests", wastefulness, apathy, and achievement disease among a number of cadres and party members has not been pushed back" (8) . These are also manifestations of cultural degradation and cultural deviation among a significant number of cadres and party members. This situation negatively affects the leadership and governance capacity of the Party; threatening the survival of the Party and the socialist regime in our country.
New situation and solutions to strengthen the building of the Party's leadership and governing culture today
The country is strongly entering a new era, an era of national growth - "an era of development, an era of prosperity under the leadership and rule of the Communist Party, successfully building a socialist Vietnam, a rich people, a strong country, a democratic, fair, civilized society, on par with the world powers" (9) , requiring the need to strengthen the building of the leadership and ruling culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam today; in which, focusing on the following main solutions:
Firstly, to plan the Platform, guidelines, policies and strategies that are correct, scientific and close to reality; to firmly adhere to the organizational and operational principles of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
This is the top issue, a manifestation of the “intellectual” and “civilized” aspects of the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam; ensuring that the Party’s Platform, guidelines and policies, the State’s policies and laws, and the action programs of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations are built on a scientific basis, closely following reality, in line with the aspirations of the people, and placing the national and ethnic interests at the highest level. All guidelines and policies “must truly originate from the lives, aspirations, rights and legitimate interests of the people, taking the happiness and prosperity of the people as the goal to strive for; ensuring that all people enjoy the fruits of innovation and development, live happily in a secure and safe environment, and that no one is left behind” (10) .
Warm military-civilian relationship_Source: baoquangnam.vn
Therefore, it is necessary to firmly adhere to the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly adhere to the path of innovation; firmly adhere to, apply and creatively develop Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in accordance with Vietnam's reality in each revolutionary period. Improve "the capacity for forecasting and the quality of policy-making work in accordance with Vietnam's reality and the development trends of the times" (11) . Timely institutionalize and concretize the Party's guidelines and policies into State policies and laws, action programs of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. Build a complete, timely, feasible, public, transparent and stable system of policies and laws, creating a legal corridor for people and businesses. The action program of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations must be practical, specific, and suitable for all classes of people to quickly bring the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws into life. Ensure strict implementation of the Party's organizational and operational principles. It is necessary to strengthen solidarity and unity within the Party with the spirit of "unanimity from top to bottom" and "transparent throughout". Maintain the working class nature and vanguard nature of the Party; adhere to the principles of Party building, especially the principle of democratic centralism. Any manifestation of deviation from or violation of the principle of democratic centralism will erode the working class nature of the Party. Specify the Party's organizational and operational principles into specific regulations and rules to unify awareness and implementation. Promote the leadership role of the collective while enhancing the personal responsibility of the heads of Party committees, authorities, agencies and units. Ensure centralized and unified leadership and direction from the Central Government, while promoting decentralization and delegation of power to localities to promote local dynamism and creativity, especially at the grassroots level.
Second, clearly define and specify the plan, content, goals, targets, and measures for building culture in each party organization, agency, unit, and locality.
On the basis of correctly understanding the position and role of the leadership and governance culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam, each Party committee and organization needs to promote responsibility in leadership, direction and implementation. First of all, it is necessary to clearly define and specify plans, contents, goals, targets and measures for building culture in each Party organization, agency, unit and locality; link the goals and tasks of cultural development and human development with the goals and tasks of socio-economic development of each sector and level; focus on solving breakthroughs and key, urgent issues in practice. Promote the responsibility of leaders and managers at all levels, especially leaders in developing plans and organizing the implementation of resolutions, directives and action programs on building the Party's leadership and governance culture.
Urgently “research, identify and implement the construction of a national value system, a cultural value system and human standards associated with preserving and developing the Vietnamese family value system in the new period” (12) . These values need to closely follow the practical conditions of our country, ensuring the balance and harmony between traditional and modern, national and international, specific and universal factors. On that basis, identify and implement the cultural value system of the Party and the political system in the new period so that organizations in the political system can thoroughly grasp, concretize and organize implementation to ensure unity and synchronization. All levels and sectors need to “build and implement cultural standards in leadership and management. Focus on building a healthy, democratic, united and humane workplace cultural environment” (13) . Supplement, perfect, and concretize appropriate cultural standards associated with the political tasks of each type of party organization, each locality, agency, and unit. Attach criteria on cultural building to the assessment of the quality of party organizations, agencies, and units and classify the results of completing tasks of cadres and party members as a basis for each organization and individual to strive to cultivate and practice.
Third, strengthen training in revolutionary ethics and working style for each cadre, party member, civil servant and public employee.
Building a contingent of cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees with capacity, moral qualities, dedication, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people; promoting the awareness of the rule of law, democracy combined with discipline and order; individual freedom associated with social responsibility and civic duty is the focus of building the leadership and governing culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam. "Focusing on streamlining the apparatus and organization of Party agencies, truly being the intellectual core, the "general staff", the vanguard leading state agencies" (14) .
Continue to promote studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle according to Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW, dated May 18, 2021, of the Politburo, "On continuing to implement Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo "On promoting studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle". Strengthen the building and rectification of the Party and the political system in the spirit of the Resolutions and Conclusions of the 4th Central Conferences of the 11th, 12th and 13th terms; associated with preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity among cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees. Regularly educate cadres and party members to imbue them with revolutionary ethics according to 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". Timely honor, commend and reward outstanding collectives and individuals with exemplary ethics and profound influence in the Party and society.
Strictly implement regulations on setting examples, especially Regulation No. 08-QDi/TW, dated October 25, 2018, of the Central Executive Committee, "On the responsibility of setting examples of cadres and party members, first of all members of the Politburo, members of the Secretariat, members of the Central Executive Committee"; Regulation No. 37-QD/TW, dated October 25, 2021, of the Central Executive Committee, "On things that party members must not do". Promote the pioneering and exemplary role of key cadres and leaders in training moral qualities, lifestyle, methods, working style, and working manners. Each cadre and party member needs to regularly "self-reflect, self-correct", promote the spirit of self-criticism and criticism; strive to practice revolutionary ethics, match words with actions, wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland, serve the people, and love comrades.
Fourth, innovate the Party's leadership and governance methods with the political system; strengthen the close relationship between the Party, the State and the people.
Innovate the Party's leadership and governance methods over the State. The Party does not relax its leadership and governance role, and at the same time does not make excuses or act on behalf of the State; "focus on innovative leadership, improving the quality of legislation, administrative reform and judicial reform" (15) . Continue to innovate the Party's leadership methods over the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, both ensuring the Party's leadership and strongly promoting the role, autonomy, dynamism and creativity of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. Continue to innovate the leadership methods of Party committees and organizations at all levels; promote innovation in methods, improve the quality and efficiency of operations of organizations and agencies in the political system. Innovate the working methods, styles and manners of the Party's leadership agencies from the Central to the grassroots levels; build and implement a scientific, democratic and collective working style. To specify and strengthen the responsibility of the leader, in relation to the collective of Party committees, agencies and units. Resolutions of Party committees and Party organizations must be concise, succinct, easy to understand, easy to remember, easy to absorb and easy to implement; must correctly and accurately identify the requirements, tasks, paths and methods of development of the country, the nation, each locality, each ministry and sector; must have vision, scientific nature, practicality, practicality and feasibility; create excitement, trust, expectation and motivation to urge the actions of cadres, Party members, economic sectors, enterprises and people to implement the Party's resolutions.
Continue to perfect and concretize the mechanism of "Party leadership, State management, people mastery" and the motto "People know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise, people benefit". The head of the Party Committee must periodically or suddenly receive people to receive information, listen, have direct dialogue and handle people's reflections and recommendations. The team of cadres and Party members must truly respect the people, be close to the people, learn from the people, be responsible to the people, listen to what the people say, speak so that the people understand, and make the people trust. Organize well the emulation movement of "Skilled mass mobilization" in the political system; effectively and substantially implement the Law on Democracy at the Grassroots Level. Take work results, satisfaction and trust of the people as important criteria to evaluate the quality of the organizational apparatus and the quality of the team of cadres and Party members. Mobilize people, promote the role of the press and public opinion to contribute opinions and criticism of the activities of party organizations and the contingent of cadres and party members, especially the implementation of office culture.
Fifth, resolutely fight against erroneous and hostile viewpoints to protect the leadership and ruling culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Hostile, reactionary, and political opportunist forces are vigorously promoting the plot and trick of “peaceful evolution” against our country’s revolution in order to eliminate socialism and overthrow the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. They demand “political pluralism, multi-party opposition”, “separation of three powers”, “civil society”; exploit the so-called issues of “democracy”, “human rights”, “freedom of speech” to conduct propaganda; spread Western bourgeois culture and lifestyle - a pragmatic, self-serving, individualistic, money-worshiping, decadent lifestyle... into our country. They distort and deny Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought; deny the achievements of Party building and the political system; divide the Party, the State from the people, the armed forces from the people; distorting the fine cultural traditions of our Party and people... Therefore, strengthening the fight against the distortions of hostile, reactionary, and opportunistic political forces to protect the leadership and ruling culture of the Communist Party of Vietnam is an urgent task today. Accordingly, it is necessary to proactively identify erroneous viewpoints, have scientific and practical arguments to clearly and convincingly prove them to fight against these viewpoints. Promote the role and responsibility of organizations and forces, especially the system of propaganda agencies, news agencies, newspapers, political schools, research institutes, and the team of reporters and propagandists in fighting against and criticizing erroneous and hostile viewpoints.
“Continue to promote Party building and rectification; resolutely and persistently fight against individualism, against ideological, moral and lifestyle degradation, against corruption and negativity in the Party with the motto of “non-stop”, “non-stop”, “no forbidden areas, no exceptions”, “no matter who that person is”, “handle one case, warn the whole region, the whole field” (16) . Each cadre and Party member must uphold Party spirit, fighting spirit, seriously self-criticize and criticize, and fight uncompromisingly against anti-cultural and uncultured manifestations in the Party’s leadership and governance activities such as bureaucracy, corruption, waste, “group interests”, “term thinking”, individualism, pragmatic lifestyle, internal disunity, indifference, indifference to the people’s legitimate concerns, needs and aspirations… Closely combine the Party’s inspection and supervision work with supervision, inspection, state audit and investigation, prosecution and trial of agencies law enforcement agencies. Promote the role of supervision and social criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, the press and the people in the activities of party organizations and party members. Strictly handle groups and individuals who violate the Party's regulations and the State's laws in the spirit of "non-stop, non-stop", "no forbidden areas", "no exceptions", "cutting a few wormy branches to save the whole tree", "disciplining a few people to save thousands"./.
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(1) Nguyen Phu Trong: Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2024, p. 31
(2) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 12, p. 403
(3) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2021, vol. I, pp. 96 - 97
(4) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 15, p. 672
(5) Documents of the 12th National Congress of Delegates , Central Party Office, Hanoi, 2016, p. 215
(6) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 144
(7) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 76
(8) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit. , vol. I, p. 95
(9) Professor, Dr. To Lam: "Some basic perceptions about the new era, the era of national rise", Communist Magazine , No. 1,050 (November 2024), p. 3
(10) See: Professor, Dr. To Lam: "Determination to build a strong Party, a rich, democratic, fair, and civilized Vietnam", Electronic Communist Magazine , August 4, 2024, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/media-story/-/asset_publisher/V8hhp4dK31Gf/content/quyet-tam-xay-dung-dang-vung-manh-nuoc-viet-nam-giau-manh-dan-chu-cong-bang-van-minh
(11) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 180
(12) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 143
(13) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 144
(14) See: Professor, Dr. To Lam: "Continuing to strongly innovate the Party's leadership and governing methods, an urgent requirement of the new revolutionary stage", Electronic Communist Magazine , September 16, 2024, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/media-story/-/asset_publisher/V8hhp4dK31Gf/content/tiep-tuc-doi-moi-manh-me-phuong-thuc-lanh-dao-cam-quyen-cua-dang-yeu-cau-cap-bach-cua-giai-doan-cach-mang-moi
(15) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 197
(16) See: Professor, Dr. To Lam: "Determination to build a strong Party, a rich, democratic, fair, and civilized Vietnam", Electronic Communist Magazine , August 4, 2024, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/media-story/-/asset_publisher/V8hhp4dK31Gf/content/quyet-tam-xay-dung-dang-vung-manh-nuoc-viet-nam-giau-manh-dan-chu-cong-bang-van-minh
Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/chinh-tri-xay-dung-dang/-/2018/1097002/tang-cuong-xay-dung-van-hoa-lanh-dao%2C-cam-quyen-cua-dang-communist-party-viet-nam-trong-tinh-hinh-moi.aspx
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