The rule of law must prevail in political and social life.

For a long time, we often say that “the people’s level of education and understanding of the law is still limited”. That may be true, but it is not enough. Because, there is also the story of “official intelligence”, the understanding of the law of cadres and party members. On the occasion of “Law” Day – November 9, let us share this issue.

Ceremony to celebrate Vietnam Law Day 2014.

On June 20, 2012, the 13th National Assembly passed the Law on Dissemination of Legal Education (DLE), stipulating many tasks and solutions to create fundamental and sustainable changes in the work of DLE, bringing this work into reality and effectiveness. One of those solutions is that the National Assembly chose and decided to take November 9, the day of promulgation of the 1946 Constitution - the first Constitution of our country - as the Law Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, so that every year we organize to honor the Constitution, the law, and educate the awareness of the rule of law for everyone in society.

This year’s Law Day takes place at the same time as the 13th National Assembly, in its 8th session. At this session, the National Assembly will consider and pass 18 draft laws and 3 draft resolutions; and give opinions on 12 other draft laws. This is the largest number of draft laws ever considered, passed, and given opinions at a single session.

In order for the law to permeate deeply into political and social life, the first important stage is the promulgation of laws that must be truly scientific, public, transparent and feasible, or in other words, the law must be close to the people, close to the people, and have the breath of reality, limiting "framework laws and pipe laws". To achieve this, the National Assembly needs to discuss thoroughly, intelligently and democratically before pressing the button to pass. The National Assembly needs to say "no" to poorly prepared bills; bills that protect industry interests, local interests, and draft laws that are "easy for themselves, difficult for the people"...

Next is the responsibility of the Government and the Central Judicial agencies to draft sub-law documents and instructions for law enforcement. When the law officially comes into effect, there will be complete sub-law documents that are consistent and unified, avoiding the situation where the Law is waiting for a Decree, the Decree is waiting for a Circular. Currently, the Government agencies still owe more than 20 Decrees guiding the implementation of the law, which needs to be "paid off" soon.

Once there are laws and sub-law documents, the important issue is to organize their implementation. For a long time, the authorities have acknowledged that this is the weakest link. The important issue that needs to be raised is that law enforcement agencies, cadres and civil servants in State agencies need to be exemplary in complying with the law. And, not only cadres and civil servants but also party organizations and party members must comply with the law. The 2013 Constitution clearly states in Clause 3, Article 4: “Organizations of the Party and members of the Communist Party of Vietnam operate within the framework of the Constitution and the law.”

The story of parents who are cadres and party members “exonerating” and rescuing “rich kids” when they fight, race, speed, or get involved in social evils... and are arrested by law enforcement agencies is not an uncommon phenomenon. The number of thousands of cadres and party members being inspected and considered for disciplinary action by the party and the government each year, many cases being prosecuted and investigated, is proof of the need to constantly improve the level of “official intelligence”, increase the understanding and awareness of law compliance of cadres and party members. Thereby, creating a spread in strict compliance with the law in every agency, unit and in every family of cadres and party members.

On the occasion of “Law Day”, November 9 this year, I would like to share and reflect: No matter how strict the Law is, how severe the sanctions are, if each subject does not voluntarily comply, especially the cadres and party members do not set an example, the Law still cannot play a supreme role in political and social life.

The development of the nation, the prosperity of the people, and the discipline of society depend largely on the spirit of respect for the law. Let the law do its job properly, because “Law is a system of general mandatory rules of conduct issued by the state or aimed at regulating social relations, serving and protecting the interests of all social classes”.

According to the Communist Party of Vietnam