The veteran cadre spent his whole life working on Party building.

Mr. Tran Dinh Duc, born in 1923, was active in the revolution since the pre-uprising period, was Secretary of the Hong Thang Commune Party Cell, joined the District Party Committee since 1950, and twice served as Secretary of the Yen Thanh District Party Committee during the most difficult times. He was then elected to the position of Provincial Party Committee member, Deputy of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Board, and then went to the Central Committee to work as a specialist atCentral Organizing Committee.

He is also the one who isThe Central Committee entrusted him to Laos to work as an expert on Party building for more than 32 years. Here, he had many meetings and worked with Prince Souphanouvong as well as General Secretary - President of Lao PDR Cay-xon-phom-vi-han. Whether in the country or on international missions, the veteran cadre always set an example of integrity, dedication and lifelong sacrifice for the cause of Party building.

With his lucidity and gentle, simple way of speaking, Mr. Tran Dinh Duc has both close and profound feelings about the years he has experienced as well as the Party's work in the current period.

Veteran Party member Tran Dinh Duc and cadres of Ma Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). Photo: Hien Anh

Step into the "Control" industry

“I joined the Party in early 1947, became the Party Cell Secretary of Hong Thang Commune, then became a District cadre in 1950 and was involved in Party building work for more than 40 years until my retirement. When we joined the District Party Committee, the District Party Committee had few people and had not yet been divided into specialized committees like it is now.

During the anti-French period, the Organization and Inspection sector was generally called "Cu Quach", which means that it had to inspect and control all activities to implement the Party's Platform, Statutes, Directives and Resolutions. Once the guidelines and policies were set out, success or failure depended on the inspection and supervision stage. We concretized and organized the implementation of Uncle Ho's teachings: one policy, ten measures; then we had to inspect each facility and each case. Inspection was very important. Only by inspection could we implement the principles of democratic centralism, criticism and self-criticism, and protect the Party and Party members.

Mr. Tran Dinh Duc (left cover) had a friendly conversation with General Secretary - President of Lao PDR Kaysone Phomvihane. Photo courtesy of NVCC

Doing Party work requires sacrifice and integrity.

"I was first appointed as District Party Secretary from 1952 to 1955. That was after the land reform. There were two things that I will always remember: we had to check, review, and restore party membership for hundreds of party members who were wrongly classified, restore party committees and branches, and at the same time review and screen a series of party members who were admitted during the land reform.

The Central Committee and Uncle Ho clearly recognized the mistakes of the land reform and proceeded to correct them, but a not-so-small mistake was that the reformist Youth Unions and reformist Teams neutralized the grassroots Party organizations at the hamlet, commune, and district levels. Many party members were classified as members, some were denounced and imprisoned.

Our task was to assign our colleagues to each commune to review each specific case to restore the Party membership of the comrades who were wrongly accused. At that time, we went to escape from the activities but did not have any allowances, each cadre was given a small amount of rice per month. The person with the least amount was given 15kg/month, the District Party Secretary was given the most amount of 45kg/month but it was also for common use within the agency.

Yet, walking from commune to commune, attending meetings with party members day and night, for several months we restored the Party membership for most party members and cadres, and restored the Party grassroots organizations in all communes. Many comrades later became commune leaders, and some strived to become members of the Provincial Party Committee.

In general, doing Party work requires sacrifice and integrity. Only with integrity can one have prestige, and only then will people believe and respect one's words and actions. At that time, the higher the position, the heavier the responsibility, and there was no distinction. The District Party Committee office was located in people's homes, cadres were closely associated with the people, and the office was a warm home for brothers.

Mr. Tran Dinh Duc, pre-uprising cadre, former Secretary of Yen Thanh District Party Committee, Deputy Head of Nghe An Provincial Organization Committee; Head of Central Organization Committee; Party building expert in Laos. Photo: Hien Anh

The tide is rising.

This year, Mr. Tran Dinh Duc is 95 years old, 71 years of Party membership, but he is still alert. Every day, he still regularly watches TV, listens to the radio, and reads newspapers. Thanks to that, the veteran cadre of the Party Inspection sector still grasps and is knowledgeable about the situation in the province, domestically and internationally.

“Since the 11th Congress, especially since the 12th National Party Congress, the Central Committee has issued many Resolutions and policies on Party building and rectification, especially the fight against corruption, “self-evolution”, and “self-transformation” to prevent and repel the “internal invaders” as Uncle Ho said.

This time, the Central Committee has recognized the danger of the Party's survival, so it should act strongly and resolutely, without any forbidden areas in the fight against corruption and degradation. Many officials, from Politburo members, Party Central Committee members, National Assembly delegates; many generals, colonels... if they make mistakes, will be strictly punished, the right person, the right crime; while implementing the Central Committee's Resolution 4 on Party building and rectification, it will also widely launch the campaign to Study and follow Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle; while fighting and building...

I see that the country is on the rise, the prestige of the Party, the General Secretary, the Party Building Committees, including the Party Inspection Department, is on the rise. Every month, Party cadres and members look forward to the announcements of the Central Inspection Committee; the people of the whole country are pleased with the achievements in the renovation process, but are also very happy with the results of the fight against corruption and the cleaning up of the Party ranks. Being able to do so demonstrates the political mettle of a ruling Party. I firmly believe that our Party will be able to carry out Uncle Ho's instructions on Party building.

I am very happy that our Party is growing in number and strength, and that today's Party committee and government officials are well-trained and fully equipped with knowledge and working tools. I am very proud to be a cadre working in Party building and have great confidence in the current young cadres. Uncle Ho said: "Our Party is ethical and civilized". Remembering the traditional day of the Party Inspection sector, I hope that you will unite, maintain the ethics, style and mettle of cadres working in Party building; I and many senior Party members have great confidence in the young comrades.