Why do "a significant number" of officials continue to experience moral decay?

Perhaps we haven't accurately assessed the extent and nature of the situation, haven't clearly identified the causes, and haven't proposed a comprehensive and sufficiently robust system of solutions...

From its very inception, our Party has been deeply aware of the exceptionally important role of the political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle of Party members, as well as of the entire society, in the development of the Vietnamese revolution. Therefore, the Party has always paid attention to the work of educating and building revolutionary political ideology, ethics, and a humane lifestyle for cadres, Party members, and the entire society.

During the period of reform, due to the impact of many objective and subjective factors, the deterioration of ideology, morality, and lifestyle among a significant number of cadres and Party members has become increasingly complex. Party Congresses have also assessed this situation and identified preventing and reversing it as a fundamental long-term task, as well as one of immediate importance.

Individualism erodes the good qualities of a party member.

The Resolution of the 4th Plenum of the 11th Central Committee stated that "A significant number of cadres and Party members, including those holding leadership and management positions, and even some high-ranking officials, have deteriorated in terms of political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, with various manifestations such as fading ideals, indulging in selfish individualism, opportunism, pragmatism, and pursuing fame and fortune...". This situation erodes the people's trust in the Party; if not rectified, it will be a challenge to the Party's leadership role and the survival of the regime."

The documents of the 12th Party Congress clearly state that "The decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle among a significant number of cadres and Party members has not yet been reversed."

Therefore, the Central Committee demands resolute struggle to prevent and reverse the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle of a significant number of cadres and Party members, especially leading and managerial cadres at all levels, in order to enhance the Party's leadership capacity and fighting strength, and consolidate the trust of Party members and the people in the Party.

The documents of the 12th Party Congress also clearly state that "The decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle among a significant number of cadres and Party members has not been reversed; in some aspects and in some areas, it has become even more complicated."

Associate Professor Vu Van Phuc, former Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine, pondered, "Why does the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle continue to worsen and remain unchecked and unaddressed? Perhaps we haven't accurately assessed the extent and nature of the situation, haven't clearly identified the causes, haven't proposed a comprehensive and sufficiently strong system of solutions, or lack the necessary conditions to implement those solutions?"

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Phuc, the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle among a significant number of cadres and Party members stems from many objective and subjective causes, with subjective causes being the main ones. These include the fact that political and ideological education for cadres and Party members has not been given due importance and has been ineffective. Furthermore, the management of cadres and Party members has been lax. A segment of cadres and Party members themselves lack self-cultivation, training, and learning, allowing individualism to develop and dominate, eroding the positive qualities of a Party member.

Professor Dr. Le Huu Nghia, former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and former Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, also emphasized that the current global situation continues to be complex and unpredictable. The four dangers raised at the 7th National Conference (1994) still exist, with some aspects becoming more complex, such as corruption and waste; the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle of a significant number of Party members and officials has not been overcome; and manifestations of internal "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" continue to occur… In light of this situation, it is even more necessary for the Party and its members to enhance their political acumen, intellectual capacity, and fighting spirit. Cadres, especially key leading and managerial cadres at all levels, must not waver under any circumstances.

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Hoa, from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, argues that the disregard for cultivating revolutionary ethics and the failure to seriously practice criticism and self-criticism have led many Party members and officials to succumb to worldly temptations. The inability to overcome the small and selfish "ego," becoming enslaved to personal desires, is both the root cause and the contributing factor to evils such as corruption, bribery, abuse of power, and disunity.

We are determined to strictly punish officials and Party members who commit violations.

To combat the current decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle among a segment of cadres and Party members, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Phuc believes that, along with the decisive and comprehensive implementation of a system of solutions, it is essential to prioritize the education of morality and lifestyle for cadres and Party members. This includes improving the quality, implementing in-depth, and integrating the study of Ho Chi Minh's thought and morality with political tasks, socio-economic development programs, and various social sectors, maintaining regular Party activities. Furthermore, it is necessary to supplement the ethical value scales and basic qualities of cadres and Party members with criteria such as: daring to think, daring to act, daring to take responsibility, and having the courage to fight against bureaucracy, corruption, and lack of democracy.

“We must resolutely implement the immediate public disclosure of assets and income of officials, Party members, and civil servants. Anti-corruption agencies have sufficient authority to carry out their duties. These agencies are responsible for managing the income and assets of officials and civil servants within the political system. We must strengthen the prevention, deterrence, and fight against bureaucracy, corruption, and waste through the organization of legal systems, policies, and various measures to ensure that officials are ‘not corrupt’ and ‘do not dare to be corrupt’,” proposed Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Phuc.

Professor Le Huu Nghia also emphasized that the lesson from our country's revolutionary process in general, and from the reform process in particular, is that the correct leadership of the Party is the decisive factor in the victory of the revolution and the reform. Therefore, in the new stage, it is necessary to strengthen the Party's leadership role and governing capacity, and build a clean and strong Party. The Party must constantly renew itself, rectify its shortcomings, and improve its leadership capacity and fighting strength. Building the Party in terms of politics, ideology, organization, and ethics is crucial, preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, and the manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party.

Among the key tasks in Party building during the 12th Party Congress term, the first priority identified by our Party is "strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle... Focusing on building a contingent of cadres, especially strategic-level cadres, with sufficient capacity, qualities, and prestige commensurate with the tasks."

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, writing in the Communist Magazine, to strengthen the Party's moral development, it is necessary to resolutely fight corruption, strictly punish errant officials and Party members, purify the Party and State apparatus, and promote healthy social relations. Accordingly, Party committees and organizations at all levels must continuously and consistently promote moral and lifestyle education for officials and Party members, avoiding any superficiality. They should research and innovate educational methods to suit the context, with educational content based on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. Building the Party's morality should be linked to building the Party's politics, ideology, and organization. Building a team of cadres and Party members with high moral character and a pure, noble lifestyle, where each cadre and Party member, especially those in leadership positions, sets a good example, leads a healthy lifestyle, and practices what they preach, is the foundation for building a team of cadres and Party members with firm political resolve, unwavering in the face of difficulties and challenges.

According to VOV