Affirming and enhancing the role of the Party branch.

Our Party organizations and members are present in all fields—political, economic, cultural, armed forces, foreign affairs, etc.—in rural and urban areas, at the central and local levels, domestically and abroad. Each field and each location has its own unique characteristics. In this limited article, we will only address the fairly common type: Party branches in rural areas and within provinces.

President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Our country is an agricultural country; if the farmers are prosperous, our country will be prosperous; if agriculture thrives, our country will thrive; if the countryside is peaceful and happy, the country will be peaceful and happy." This is also the development strategy, the guarantee for the sustainability and stability of our homeland and country.

A strong Party branch leads to a strong movement.

Party branchIt is the place where the Party's leadership over the people is most clearly and vividly demonstrated in carrying out political tasks. The results of socio-economic development, Party building, and the political system serve as a mirror reflecting and testing the quality of policies, resolutions, programs, and plans, and also as a measure of the leadership capacity of Party committees and governments at all levels.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thanh (far left) - Secretary of the Party Branch of Duc Xuan village, Tien Thuy commune (Quynh Luu district) introduces the methods of the Party branch in mobilizing the people's strength. Photo: PV

Experience shows that wherever Party branches are united, dynamic, creative, self-reliant, and know how to mobilize and guide the people in completing tasks, they gain the trust and enthusiasm of the masses, and the movement is strong and sustainable, and vice versa.

Enhancing the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations and Party members.

The Party branch is the cell of the Party, the root of the Party among the masses. A good Party branch ensures that all Party policies are implemented effectively. The leadership role of a good Party branch will ensure the maintenance of its fighting capacity; conversely, a weak Party branch will weaken its fighting capacity.Good Party BranchThis will be a driving force in enhancing the leadership role of the Party branch.

Party branches and their members are in close contact with the people and are subject to their supervision. Party branches demand the highest level of self-awareness, pioneering spirit, and exemplary conduct from cadres and party members. Whenever implementing village regulations, conventions, or local tasks, the saying "party members lead the way, the people follow" is most clearly demonstrated. This includes fulfilling obligations, contributing labor and money, donating land for road construction in new rural areas, maintaining cultural values, hygiene, and environmental protection, etc.Party members, families of party membersIf officials are negligent, then no matter how much propaganda, mobilization, appeals, and encouragement the masses do, it will be very difficult.

It is necessary to focus on cultivating the qualities and capabilities of Party committee and branch officials.

The average age of rural Party members in our country is quite high nowadays. In many places, Party branch meetings resemble those of the Elderly Association, with only elderly people in attendance.Party branch cadre sourceRural areas are currently facing significant challenges, with limited "inputs" and a high "output." Young people and young Party members often work far from home, so they mainly rely on former soldiers, retirees, and some outstanding individuals within mass organizations. Their strength lies in their exposure to different environments and broader perspectives, but not all of them have experience in Party building or leadership. Therefore, many are unfamiliar with the work and lack experience. Consequently, some comrades do not fully grasp leadership methods, functions, and responsibilities; others only have a general understanding, lacking in-depth knowledge of crop varieties, planting seasons, and scientific knowledge in agriculture, especially the application of new technologies and clean agriculture. Some comrades, due to their enthusiasm and eagerness, may overstep their boundaries, take over tasks, and often become confused.

Mr. Ly Pa Cho (far left), Secretary of Trung Tam village, Muong Long commune (Ky Son district), discusses building a strong Party branch with officials from the Ky Son District Party Committee. Photo: HT

We have just held Party Congresses at all levels for the 2020-2025 term. Training and professional development for Party Branch Secretaries at the beginning of the term is essential. In training, we shouldn't be "greedy or try to cover everything"; every topic is important. The key is to identify the right target audience and ensure the right objectives and requirements. We need to select specific, practical content, providing fundamental and practical "guidebooks" on Party building work at the branch level. Through training, cadres should feel secure, confident, and have a firm grasp of their functions and responsibilities, understanding and knowing how to resolve the relationship between the Party Committee, the branch, and mass organizations, so that they have sufficient "capital" for their work. During the training, we can invite a few exemplary individuals with extensive experience, effective and persuasive work to report or visit and learn from practical examples. Sufficient time should be allocated for discussion and answering questions. Avoid one-sided dissemination, presenting too much theory, or rambling on endlessly, as this will be ineffective.

In each term, at least one competition for outstanding Party branch secretaries should be organized. In fact, many localities have done this for many years, and it has had a positive effect.

According to regulations, the current remuneration and benefits for rural Party branch officials are still low. For comrades with good achievements and high trust, priority should be given to organizing opportunities for them to exchange ideas, visit, and learn from exemplary models annually, mid-term, or at the end of their term. This will serve to motivate and encourage them, broaden their horizons, and improve their professional capacity.