Comrade Nguyen Duc Binh - A steadfast and creative political theorist

Comrade Nguyen Duc Binh's contributions were not only in his long-term leadership and management of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (1982-2001), and in his position as Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council during the 1996-2001 period, but also in his direct contributions to the political theory activities of our Party in a historical period that required innovation in thinking, international integration, and the development of the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. He was one of the key cadres who made many important contributions to the innovation of the model of building socialism, starting from the 6th National Congress of the Party, along with the Party's viewpoints on market economy, on the rule of law state, on international relations based on the principles of equality, respect for each other's institutions... especially the recognition and respect for human rights.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Binh.

I still remember, when assigning me the position of Director of the Institute for Human Rights Studies (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), comrade Nguyen Duc Binh reminded me: “The path of socialism and the Vietnamese revolution has been and will follow the natural historical laws of mankind, of course it must inherit the values ​​of freedom, equality, and charity... Human rights are one of those values. As the director, you must follow the viewpoint of our Party... you cannot write or lecture about human rights according to the Western viewpoint”.

During his tenure as Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, he always reminded me: “We must innovate theoretical thinking, but we must maintain principles. It is essential to protect the Party's leadership over the State and society; we must be loyal to and creatively apply Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought. President Ho Chi Minh led the Vietnamese revolution to victory thanks to the creative application of Marxism-Leninism. Now it is our Party's turn, those who work in theory must know how to creatively apply Ho Chi Minh's thought.”

Comrade Nguyen Duc Binh is a particularly sensitive person, very interested in preventing and combating moral degradation and lifestyle of cadres and party members. He once told me: “It is necessary to recognize corruption and degeneration, not in this or that individual, but as a matter of great concern to the ruling Party; the Party and the State need to constantly prevent and have systematic solutions…”.

Regarding the socialist-oriented market economy, he stated that from 1975 until before the renovation period, our Party was dogmatic in following the model of the former Soviet Union (planned economy, proletarian dictatorship state... discriminating against the market economy). Now it is necessary to implement the market economic policy, but it must be managed by the Party and the State.

Regarding Marxism-Leninism, he often reminded the cadres in the academy to be steadfast in that theory, but steadfastness does not mean following it mechanically, dogmatically, repeating words that are a century old... Being steadfast means maintaining a political stance, steadfast in the path to socialism, steadfast in the interests of society, of workers...; it is also a creative application to the circumstances of the country and the world situation. He reminded me to re-read the work "Better less but better" many times to see Lenin's views on organizational apparatus and anti-corruption... He also reminded me to read and introduce the letter President Ho Chi Minh sent to "People's Committees of regions, provinces, districts and villages"...

Despite holding many important responsibilities and having a lot of work, Comrade Nguyen Duc Binh always diligently writes articles himself, even when he is busy, old, and in poor health. In his articles about the renovation process and Party building, readers can easily see his independent and creative thinking. When working closely with him, I understand more and more that he is an honest theorist. He only writes what he believes in and is not a person who likes empty words or saying things for the sake of it... Of course, with his position and responsibilities, he cannot publicly present his views on issues that are still "inconsistent" between academia and life. As a leading professor of philosophy, he is very aware of the contradictions that need to be resolved, because "practice is truth", but the problem is also political responsibility!

Anyone who has the opportunity to visit him at his home can easily see his simple life. The house is in the academy’s dormitory, still has the same wooden chairs and tables from the subsidy period… For him, the philosophy of simple living is “suitable” for him…

Farewell! I light a stick of incense and silently pray for your soul to rest in peace in eternity... Dearly missed, Mr. Binh! Rest in peace, the revolutionary cause of the Party with your contribution, although still facing many challenges, will still be carried out by successive generations, to build a Vietnam with "rich people, strong country, democracy, justice, civilization", steadily moving towards socialism.