90 years since the founding of the Party: Lessons that are never outdated.

Over the past 90 years, the Party has led the Vietnamese revolution from one victory to another. From these historically and epochally significant victories, the Party has summarized many lessons learned from its leadership of the Vietnamese revolution. Among these, the most noteworthy are the lessons of unwavering commitment to the goals of national independence and socialism; the lesson of putting the people first; and the lesson of harnessing the strength of national unity. Particularly in the current period, the lesson of focusing on Party building and rectification is of special importance.

For the past 90 years, the lesson of steadfastly pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism on the foundation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought has always been the guiding principle and strategic objective of the entire Vietnamese revolutionary process, under the leadership and direction of the Party.That goal was set forth in the Party's first Manifesto of 1930 and was established and concretized in each period and stage of the Vietnamese revolution; it was developed both in theoretical understanding and practice in subsequent Manifestos of the Party.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc - former Director of the Institute of Party History, Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy - affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam understand the content of national independence and socialism and the inseparable unity of these two strategic goals.

“The goal was to achieve national independence. In an agricultural country with a large peasant population, land had to be given to the farmers, bringing about civil rights, democracy, and progressing towards the liberation of the entire society, building a better society, which is socialism. That correct goal became the slogan to rally revolutionary forces from the very beginning of the Party's founding. The Party belongs to the working class, but at the same time, it also leads the national movement and the patriotic movement. Therefore, in the past, the rule was to propagate Marxism-Leninism into the workers' movement and the patriotic movement,” said Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc.

The greatest lesson of success that the Party has summarized and that President Ho Chi Minh often reminded us of is the lesson of "putting the people first." "A hundred times easier tasks are impossible without the people, but a thousand times more difficult tasks can be accomplished with the people's support." Therefore, since its founding in 1930, the Party has prioritized the struggle to gain and maintain power, leading the building and strengthening of a state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Following the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh paid special attention to building and protecting a new type of revolutionary government, a state government that truly serves the people, acts as a servant of the people, and carries out the common tasks for the people. In the process of reform, the Party leads the construction and continuous improvement of the socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Mr. Nguyen Tuc, a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, affirmed that all activities of the Party must stem from the legitimate interests and aspirations of the people. The strength of the Party lies in its close connection with the people. Bureaucracy, corruption, and alienation from the people will lead to immeasurable losses to the destiny of the country, the socialist regime, and the Party.

“Whenever we make mistakes in ethnic policy, we face difficulties. That is a lesson for all communists and patriots of the nation. That lesson is reiterated when we carry out reforms. The 6th Congress on reforms taught the first lesson: putting the people first. That lesson is not just for us; throughout history, our ancestors have always advised, 'The people are the foundation' (with the people, we have everything; without the people, we lose everything), Mr. Nguyen Tuc said.”

The lesson of harnessing the strength of national unity in the struggle for independence, building socialism, and defending the Fatherland is also considered a guiding principle throughout the Vietnamese revolutionary leadership. Based on its correct policies, the Party has gathered and united the forces of the entire nation to strive for the common goal of national independence and socialism.

National unity is based on a common goal while ensuring the individual interests of each class and stratum of the people. The Party focuses on building various forms of the National United Front to broadly unite all components, diversify forms of mass organization, and enhance the role of people's organizations, mass associations, and professional associations.

Tran Thanh Man, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, affirmed: In response to the Party's new requirements, the Fatherland Front system at all levels must further innovate: “The Fatherland Front system must further enhance its role and responsibility to the Party and the people to demonstrate its role as a gathering place for the strength of the great national unity. It must mobilize and encourage the people to take the lead in socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and building the country's political system. It must further strengthen social supervision and criticism, and contribute to building the Party and the government.”

In the current period, the lesson of focusing on Party building and rectification, so that the Party can fulfill its responsibilities before history, the nation, the class, and the people, is of particular importance. The Party operates and leads according to the principles of democratic centralism and strict discipline; self-criticism and criticism of mistakes and shortcomings, and a determination to correct them.

Based on the practical experience of Party building and rectification over the past years, prior to the 13th Party Congress, the Party repeatedly directed the resolute screening process to prevent the inclusion in new Party committees of individuals with weak political resolve; declining qualities, capabilities, and prestige; lack of exemplary conduct; disunity; signs of ideological and political degradation, moral decay, and lifestyle deviations; "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party; those seeking positions and power through illicit means; corruption; negative practices; and "group interests."

Politburo member and Standing Committee Secretary Tran Quoc Vuong proposed: “The principle is to resolutely screen and prevent those with weak political resolve; declining qualities, capabilities, and prestige; lack of exemplary conduct; disunity; factionalism; opportunism; those who dare not defend what is right or fight against what is wrong from being included in the new Party committees. Cadres who have committed violations or whose spouses or children have violated Party regulations, State policies, and laws, affecting the reputation of their agencies or units, should also not be included in the new Party committees.”

Ninety years is a long enough period to affirm the correctness of the steadfast path towards the goals of national independence and socialism. Ninety years also confirms that the lessons of national unity and putting the people first remain relevant. The lessons learned after ninety years of the Party's leadership of the Vietnamese revolution further demonstrate that caring for Party building and rectification is a crucial task for the Party to fulfill its responsibilities before history and the nation. Continuing to affirm the correct leadership of the Party is the primary factor determining the victory of the Vietnamese revolution.