Mr. Pham The Duyet: "When dealing with officials, we must see for ourselves who put them up yesterday."

PV:Over the past year, the country's development has been reflected in many areas. There are many factors contributing to the overall development of the country, one of the important factors is the determination of the Party and the whole society in preventing corruption and strictly handling officials who commit violations, regardless of level or sector. How do you view this issue?

Mr. Pham The Duyet:It can be said that entering the new year 2018, the atmosphere is exciting throughout the country, people are happy with the general development of the country. In 2017, there were quite clear changes in the economy, society and foreign affairs, and in the people's response to implementing the Party's Resolutions.

Personally, I, retired cadres and the whole country in general, are all excited because the Party really cares about the work of Party building and rectification.

I have also thought about it many times, thinking about the gap between the Resolution and action, between words and deeds. But this time, the comrades in the Politburo have shown their determination to match words with deeds. This policy was raised by the Party Central Committee since the 11th term but not much has been done. In this 12th term, it is quite clear, especially in 2017 and entering the new year 2018.

This is clearly demonstrated in listening to public opinion, when there are problems or complicated situations, then checking and evaluating correctly. On that basis, detecting leaders, including high-ranking officials who have committed violations, step by step bringing them up for consideration and handling.

Even the implementation of the new courtroom model, I find it very good, showing equality in litigation, showing independence in adjudication. The debate is frank, clear, the right person is tried, the right crime. This receives the people's approval.

I often think that personnel work is the cause of all causes. This is the most important point that the Party is concerned about. Certainly, in building and rectifying the Party, this issue will continue to be addressed, making Party committees from the Central to the grassroots level all see their responsibilities, see their shortcomings and see a significant number of people who have been corrupted, have degraded their lifestyle, political ideology, group interests, and have used public property to appropriate, profit, and be corrupt.

The Politburo has strongly demonstrated its determination to "match words with actions".

PV:Sir, also related to personnel work, in recent days, public opinion has been very interested in the trials of Mr. Dinh La Thang, Trinh Xuan Thanh and his accomplices. What do you think about these trials?

Mr. Pham The Duyet:I have two thoughts. Our Party has determined that there are no “no-go zones”, no one will be exempted, if that person has made mistakes or shortcomings in managing the country, managing the economy, affecting the Party and the people.

But I also think that we are glad that we have been determined to deal with them, including strategic level cadres. But we must also see that yesterday we had shortcomings, we put them in leadership positions, without checking, without controlling, without paying attention to building from the grassroots.

If only there was a good leadership method, so that these cadres would not violate the law, and when they knew they had shortcomings, they would not be put in leadership positions, so that today they would not have to be dealt with, it would probably be better. But now that this can be done, I am very happy.

PV:Sir, in the past year, too many officials at all levels have been punished for violations. In your opinion, is this considered a good or a worrying sign in personnel work?

Mr. Pham The Duyet:If this can be done, the people will be happy, and all Party members will be happy. That signal shows the Party's strong determination. The people and Party members believe that the Party's Resolution has been demonstrated by actions, and that the Party's words and deeds are clear.

But I still have to remind you, while it is fun, we still have to be calm and consider carefully. We have to be very frank as the General Secretary said, that this is just the first step, we still have a lot of work to do, we have to do it in a more systematic and strict manner.

How can the entire political system be synchronized? How can the voice here not only belong to the Politburo, the General Secretary, and the Central Inspection Commission, but how can this voice rise from the Party bases, from the Central, down to the Ministries, branches, provinces, and below the grassroots level?

Everywhere there is a very conscious and responsible attitude towards the Party in building and rectifying its cadres. If we can do that, I am sure we will win.

Many people had to pick up dry and fresh firewood to put in the stove to "keep the fire going".

PV:In the meetings, the General Secretary also gave many instructions that were supported by the people. The General Secretary once said, "When the furnace is hot, both fresh and dry wood must burn", showing the strong support of the head of our Party in preventing corruption and handling officials who commit violations. With the high determination of the Party and the General Secretary, the participation of ministries, branches and levels is enough to "keep the fire burning" to push back corruption, sir?

Mr. Pham The Duyet:The heat is boiling above and there is high determination from the Politburo, the General Secretary and the Central Committee, so the furnace is hot and any wood will burn.

As I often say, how can a furnace burn when many people pick up dry wood, fresh wood, and bad wood and put them into the furnace, letting it burn continuously? Only when we feel secure about our cadres will we believe that everything will be in order.

PV:The directions, actions and determination of the Party, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, have truly created momentum and strengthened people's trust in the Party's leadership and the country's innovation process. Could you please tell us your feelings?

Mr. Pham The Duyet:I highly appreciate the General Secretary, who has shown more determination in the 12th term than in the 11th term. In the direction of the General Secretary, there has been a unified leadership, so he was determined to deal with high-ranking Party officials. That cannot but highly appreciate the General Secretary's contributions and determination.

I also hope that other comrades in their positions, high-ranking officials, will uphold their responsibilities, fulfill the wishes and calls of the Party, and carry out the instructions of the General Secretary.

This will certainly create momentum for implementing the Party Resolution in the pivotal year of 2018 - a year of decisive significance for the upcoming 13th Party Congress.

PV:Thank you!