Step by step supplementing and perfecting the model of building socialism in Vietnam

On the occasion of the book by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong entitled "Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam" being introduced to readers, Dr. Vu Trung Kien - Deputy Head of the Department of Party Building, Regional Political Academy II has an article about the socialist path that Vietnam pursues as well as the completion of the theory of socialism in Vietnam.

An occasion to celebrate the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Photo: Archive

The Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has set out five guiding viewpoints, the first of which is: “Firmly apply and creatively develop Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought; firmly pursue the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly pursue the Party's renewal policy; firmly pursue the principles of Party building to firmly build and defend the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam”. This means that the Communist Party of Vietnam remains loyal to the principle of building the country along the socialist path.

Over the past 90 years, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always been a reforming party, renewing itself to adapt and suit the specific historical conditions of Vietnam. Right from its inception, according to Lenin, the Communist Party was the product of the combination of Marxism and the workers' movement, while in Vietnam, the Party was born from the combination of Marxism-Leninism with the workers' movement and the patriotic movement of the Vietnamese people. It is from this innovation and creativity that, despite the twists and turns and ups and downs of history, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always shown itself to be a revolutionary party that renews itself, surpasses itself to be worthy of being the leading force of the State and society.

In 1991, when the socialist system in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union collapsed, the Communist Party of Vietnam remained steadfast in its chosen path. The 7th National Congress of the Party in 1991 issued the Platform for national construction in the transitional period to socialism. Also at this Congress, in the context of the world's socialist system falling into decline, from summarizing the 5 years of renovation since the 6th National Congress, the Communist Party of Vietnam pointed out 6 characteristics of socialist society in Vietnam. That is a society “Mastered by the working people; with a highly developed economy based on modern productive forces and public ownership of the main means of production; with an advanced culture imbued with national identity; people are liberated from oppression, exploitation, and injustice; work according to their abilities, receive according to their labor, have a prosperous, free, and happy life, and have conditions for comprehensive personal development; all ethnic groups in the country are equal, united, and help each other to progress together; have friendly and cooperative relations with peoples of all countries in the world”.

The 7th National Party Congress in 1991. Photo: VNA

At the 11th National Congress in 2011, the Communist Party of Vietnam issued the Platform for National Construction in the Transitional Period to Socialism (supplemented and developed in 2011) with many adjustments and standardization of the characteristics of building socialism in Vietnam. Accordingly, "The socialism that our people build is a society: Rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization; owned by the people; with a highly developed economy based on modern productive forces and appropriate progressive production relations; with an advanced culture, imbued with national identity; people have a prosperous, free, happy life, with conditions for comprehensive development; ethnic groups in the Vietnamese community are equal, united, respect and help each other to develop together; there is a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people led by the Communist Party; have friendly relations and cooperation with countries around the world".

In the world, countries and peoples all find their own path that suits their specific historical characteristics. Although they are both monarchies, some countries are still in the form of absolute monarchies, while others are in the form of constitutional monarchies. Likewise, although they are both republics, some countries are presidential republics, while others are organized as parliamentary republics. Although they are both building socialism, the socialist model of some countries in Northern Europe is different from the socialist model of the former Soviet Union. Although they are both based on Marxism-Leninism, socialism in the Soviet Union is different from that of China. In Vietnam, also based on Marxism-Leninism, but from the historical characteristics of its own people, the characteristics outlined about socialism in Vietnam have their own characteristics, suitable for Vietnam.

11th National Party Congress 2011.

In 2021, on the occasion of the 131st anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2021) and the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong wrote an important article with the theme "Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam". The article "shaped socialism" and "oriented the path to socialism" in Vietnam to suit the specific circumstances and characteristics in Vietnam. It is a continuation, supplement and completion of the theoretical system on the path to socialism in Vietnam. This article is also the title of a book consisting of 29 articles by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, which was just released to readers this February.

The Communist Party of Vietnam considers the building of socialism to be a process of continuous movement and transformation, constantly developing from low to high, from incomplete to more complete. Therefore, the characteristics of socialist society have always been supplemented and developed to suit and meet the requirements of social development. Constantly renewing thinking, researching and summarizing practices, starting from the achievements of the country's renovation will continue to open up for the Communist Party of Vietnam to explore new issues, contents and characteristics of the socialist society that Vietnam has been and is aiming for./.