General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong poses for a photo with Tran Gia Linh, the granddaughter of Mr. Tran Dinh Dan. (Photo: Provided by Mr. Dan's family)
That personality is further illustrated by details about the General Secretary shared with Tuoi Tre newspaper by Mr. Tran Dinh Dan, former head of the National Assembly Office from 2007 to 2011.
"General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a man with a great heart, great virtue, great intellect, and great ambition in undertaking the tasks of his life," Mr. Dan said.
Democracy, respect for all people.
During our term, the National Assembly decided on several important national issues, such as the Son La hydroelectric project, the expansion of Hanoi, bauxite mining in the Central Highlands, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant, the North-South high-speed railway project, and the construction of the new Ba Dinh Hall…
The Son La hydropower project received strong support, but there were differing opinions regarding the plan to expand Hanoi's administrative boundaries and the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong listened to and respected everyone's opinions, including those of leading scientists and experts, and held democratic discussions before the National Assembly.
In his work, he never imposed or suggested that things should be done this way or that way, but rather persuaded people to understand and agree, so that they would carry out their tasks voluntarily and comfortably. He was a high-ranking leader but very democratic, respecting everyone's opinions.
I was fortunate to be the Party Secretary of the National Assembly Office, with nearly 1,000 party members, including 18 members of the Politburo and the Central Committee. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, being the Party Secretary of the National Assembly, always spoke at the Party Congress.
Yet, he didn't let me be in a situation where the head of the National Assembly gave a speech and the Party secretary "shrank back," not daring to say anything more. He inspired me and the Party committee to fulfill our nhiệm vụ.
Refuse to buy a house at a discounted price.
When the Hanoi People's Committee decided to prepare housing for those working at the National Assembly, with land prices set by the People's Committee, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong instructed me: "Getting the land is difficult, but allocating it to the right people and in the right area is even more difficult. We must ensure fairness and unity, and prevent any complaints or disputes."
My colleagues and I thought that people with meritorious service and long years of service like him should be included in the list. But when we finished compiling the list, he told me to remove him from it.
“After retirement, according to regulations, you’ll live in a house wherever you’re allocated,” he said. I asked his wife, Ngo Thi Man, about this, and she replied, “He said no, and that’s final. I’m not going to participate either.”
Like her husband, Mrs. Man lived a very simple and sincere life. According to regulations, in some cases, when the Chairman of the National Assembly or the General Secretary went on overseas trips, their wives accompanied them, but she only went on one trip to Australia and then stopped.
During the trip, she told me, "When I go abroad, you guys have to assign people to serve me. When I buy gifts for the children, everyone argues over who pays. You should tell them that I'm returning everything that was bought. I'm not going abroad again next time."
After that, I took her to buy some small gifts for the grandchildren herself.
Make the parliament more professional.
The biggest reform is strengthening dialogue not only in the National Assembly but also in its committees. Every response to questioning must include a conclusion. That is very important and has been maintained to this day. Furthermore, questioning must focus on topics and content that the people are concerned about and requesting. Through this, issues should be identified so that ministries and the Government can take them into account and make adjustments.
He instructed the head of the National Assembly Office and the Secretary-General of the National Assembly to proactively coordinate with the committees in selecting assistants for the committees, with the requirement that this team must be professional staff involved in parliamentary activities.
Previously, at each session, National Assembly deputies were assigned two to one room. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said that although it is necessary to be extremely economical, National Assembly deputies attending sessions must be provided with private space so that they can both live and work, helping them to focus on contributing and dedicating themselves.
He also suggested that the Standing Committee of the National Assembly discuss providing computers to National Assembly deputies, ensuring that deputies, no matter where they are located, have full and quick access to information. These matters, though not major, demonstrate his deep concern for the well-being of the people.
A car that lasts until the end of its life.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong walks to his car after concluding an event – Photo: TIEN TUAN
The old Toyota he used was originally used by former National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh. I and many others suggested buying him a new car, but he refused because he felt the car was still usable, and he used it until his last days.
Whenever he traveled to the provinces on business, he always rode in the same car with everyone else, telling jokes and laughing heartily. Before going on business trips to different localities, he would always tell me to find the most disadvantaged places to visit.
He said, "If the National Assembly doesn't have the resources to help, then we should report to the Government for consideration. Going there just to get applause and then leaving won't solve anything."
Throughout my tenure, he never once asked me to help this person or that person. There was one instance where someone claimed to be related to Mr. Trong, so I asked Ms. Man about it. She said, "Since you're working there, you have to handle it properly so that I can focus on my work."
While we were still working, my wife and I would visit his house once every few weeks. When we went back to our hometown or relatives in Ha Tinh (Mr. Dan's hometown and former workplace – PV) sent us delicious eggs and fish, we would bring them as gifts. Ms. Man would accept them, but she would always give us something in return, such as vegetables, chicken eggs, or fruit sent from her hometown in Dong Anh.
Behaving modestly at his son's wedding.
Before organizing his son's wedding, I suggested a guest list, but he said, "Everyone is busy with work. Inviting some people might offend others. If we invite committee chairmen who are ministers, will the ministers invite them? Will the Politburo members invite them? As the head of the National Assembly's administrative body, I can represent everyone."
Although I had imagined it beforehand, I was surprised when the wedding ceremony was held in the small courtyard of a house on Thien Quang Street, measuring only a few dozen square meters, with no music or speakers. Only about 30 people from the bride's side, some from the groom's side, and a few close family friends attended.
After the ceremony, while waiting for the reception in a small room at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labor Cultural Palace for quite a long time, he asked me if I had any way to liven up the atmosphere. So I became the MC and singer, singing and introducing young people to songs about Hanoi, Nghe Tinh, etc. The atmosphere was joyful and friendly; both the bride's and groom's families were delighted.
After the wedding, he asked me to send wedding announcements to some people. I asked him what would happen if people came to congratulate him after receiving the announcements. He said that according to Northern Vietnamese custom, once a wedding is over, people don't go to congratulate the couple anymore. Later, some people called to ask to meet and offer their congratulations, and he said, "Just tell them that you and I are both busy, so receiving their congratulations is enough." He was so simple and straightforward.
When I received my retirement notice, the first thing he told me was, "Now that you've been notified of your retirement, you should be the first to return the government-provided housing. Only if you return it will others be able to return it."
After I vacated the house and bought a new one, he immediately came to visit and chatted warmly with my whole family as if we were family.
Tuoitre.vn
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tong-bi-thu-nguyen-phu-trong-mot-nhan-cach-lon-20240724230635986.htm
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