General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – An outstanding theorist of the Vietnamese Communist Party

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

The constant enthusiasm for political science of theory 

The Study Review (now the Communist Review) is a source of deep inspiration, always full of vitality for a life of continuous study and research of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Working at the Communist Review for nearly 30 years, going through many different positions, from an officer of the magazine’s Documentation Department at a young age to its Editor-in-Chief, he wrote and edited hundreds of news articles and political theory research articles, not only with his accumulated experiences and knowledge, but also more than that, with the passion and sense of responsibility of a talented scientist and journalist.

For more than 8 years as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, in charge of the Party's theoretical work, and later as General Secretary and head of the Party, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Trong still devoted much enthusiasm to theoretical research and summarizing the Party's practices.

Therefore, the works and articles of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong are always profound, insightful, and at the height of political theory and strategic thinking, just like “the more jade is polished, the brighter it becomes, and the more gold is refined, the purer it is”. His simple image, humble lifestyle, profound knowledge and sharp intelligence are typical of the qualities and intelligence of a great intellectual who always received the trust, affection, and admiration of the local and international scientists. Although he passed away, the works, projects, articles, and speeches he left for the entire Party, the entire people, the entire armed forces, the community of Vietnamese scientists, and the treasure of human knowledge will forever be invaluable assets that accompany the development of the country and last with the nation.

Theory must have far-sighted vision

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity in theoretical work. There must be a smooth combination between theoretical research and practical summary; and among theoretical research, practical summary and policy orientation, so that theory truly carries the breath of the reality of life, illuminates the way, guides practices and is a solid foundation for planning guidelines, policies, and strategies. He criticized: “The root cause of subjectivity is poor theory, disregard for theory and theory without attachment to reality; the cause of dogmatism is being far from reality and not closely following reality”. He advised the Central Theoretical Council: “It is not possible to prolong the backwardness of theory compared to the movement and demand of practices. Theory must rise above to lead and accompany reality”.

To combine smoothly between theoretical research with practical summary, he proposed two important dialectical principles, namely steadfastness and innovation, inheritance and development. It is necessary to be consistent and steady based on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thought with a steadfast goal of national independence and socialism. This is a very important point and a principle that has a vital meaning for the regime and does not allow anyone to waver and fluctuate. Simultaneously, it is imperative to inherit the achievements gained from the reasonable development of reality; thoughts, views, and guidelines implemented in practical situations that are practically proven to be precise. Of course, we do not remain consistent to inherit mechanically and arbitrarily but stay steadfast to go hand in hand with innovation. Innovation, which must have principles, is carried out for development and not in an impatient and extreme way. Accordingly, he asked: “We need to selectively acquire and supplement in the spirit of criticism and creativity of the latest ideological and scientific achievements so that our theories shall forever be fresh, revitalized, and filled with the breath of our times, thus not falling prey to dogmatism and obsoleteness.”

Pioneering in supplementing and perfecting the theory on the renewal path 

Having dedicated to the cause of building Vietnamese political theory in the renewal period, in his last meeting with the Central Theoretical Council, the head of the Party always harbored one deep concern: “… By 2025, on the basis of summarizing 40 years of implementation of the renewal process and 50 years of national reunification, it is necessary to basically improve the theoretical system with regard to the renewal pathway; by 2030, on the basis of summarizing 40 years of implementation of the Platform for national construction in the transition to socialism, summarizing 100 years of Party leadership of the Vietnamese revolution, it is possible to supplement and develop the Platform to meet the requirements of the new period; supplement, enrich and take one step further to perfect the ideological foundation of the Party; and by 2045, when our country becomes a developed and high-income country, we will have a complete, scientific and modern theoretical system concerning socialism and Vietnam’s path to socialism.”

Despite his declining health in recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong still spent lots of time, dedication, and intelligence on the Party’s theoretical work. Preparing for draft documents submitted to the 14^th National Party Congress, he noted that: What are new issues in the new term? Do we need to summarize 40 years of renewal to deeply explain the achievements, potential, position and international reputation of the country? Are they the foundation and motivation to inspire, bring excitement and pride for the entire Party, people, and armed forces in light of the great and historically significant achievements in the renewal period, allowing our people to firmly believe in the right and creative perspectives and guidelines of the Party on socialism and our path to socialism, which align with the reality of the country and the development trend of the era?

Generalizing and summarizing in a scientific, objective, and comprehensive way of building socialism in our country, he pointed out clearly: This is a great, challenging, and difficult career but is also a glory path that our Party, our beloved President Ho Chi Minh, and our people have chosen. Because only socialism can ensure a society where “development is genuinely for the people, not for profit that exploits and tramples on human dignity… economic development couples with social progress and fairness, not an increase in the gap between the rich and the poor, and social inequality… a society of compassion, solidarity and mutual assistance towards progressive and humanistic values, not unfair competition where “the weak are meat, and the strong do eat” to satisfy the selfish interest of a few individuals and cliques… sustainable development in harmony with nature to secure a clean living environment for present and future generations, instead of unlimited exploitation and possession of resources, unrestrained consumption and destruction of the environment… a political system where power truly belongs to the people, is enforced by the people and serves the people, not merely in the interest of the few wealthy people”. These are also the wishes of our beloved Uncle Ho and the entire Vietnamese people. 

From the practice of nearly 40 years of implementing the renewal process and 30 years of implementing the Platform on National Construction in the transition period to socialism, he paid great attention and directly oversaw the supplement and completion of the theory on Vietnam’s renewal policy as a new and prominent point in the 14^th National Party Congress documents. He suggested that it must be a system of profound and comprehensive theories on regular issues of the national construction, development, and defense in the renewal period. This system of theory crystallizes the intellect of the whole Party, the entire people and the whole armed forces based on the consistent and creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thought with inheritance from traditional values of the nation and absorption of the theoretical quintessence of humanity.

The theory of renewal path must demonstrate the strategic vision and scientific, revolutionary, and innovative thinking of the Party on socialism and the path to socialism in Viet Nam; the completion of the Vietnamese development model with outstanding features of stability in association with innovation, fast and sustainable development, and human centricity based on three pillars: socialist-oriented market economy, socialist rule-of-law state, and socialist democracy; on synchronous innovation in the fields of politics, economics, culture, society, environment, national defense, security, foreign affairs, etc; on continuously grasping and handling major dialectical relationships well; and “the will of the Party, the heart of the people” factor that has decisive significance for the success of the cause of national construction, development and defense.

Guiding thoughts at the theoretical level 

Throughout his life, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong constantly researched, studied, and struggled with theoretical and practical issues. He possessed characteristics and talents of an exceptionally outstanding politician, a great cultural figure, and an erudite scientist. Thirty-five books, which are collections of his articles, speeches, and research works, have crystallized the wisdom of the entire Party, demonstrated the height of political theory, strategic thinking, leadership, and direction of the head of our Party on core and most important issues of national construction, development, and defense in the renewal period.

His works discuss broad, difficult, and complex theoretical issues, but in a simple presentation, plain expression, distilled from practical life, and with the consistent thought that “people are the root”, people are the subject and the center of the renewal process. Each of his works has special persuasive and inspiring power, strongly resonating among cadres, Party members and people, while being admired and highly appreciated by many international friends. He is truly a theorist for the people and lives in their hearts.

From vibrant practice, he made an important contribution to generalizing and explaining deeply 10 major relationships, reflecting the dialectical issues of the country's renewal, integration and development process that need to be handled well. These are the relationships among stability, renewal and development; between economic renewal and political renewal; between complying with market laws and ensuring socialist orientation; between development of productive force and building and gradual completion of the socialist production relations; among the State, the market, and the society; among economic growth and cultural development, guarantee of social progress and equity, environmental protection; between building socialism and defending the socialist homeland; among independence, autonomy, and international integration; among Party’s leadership, State’s governance and people’s ownership; among democracy exercise, law enforcement, and social order guarantee. 

Regarding the economy, he affirmed that introducing the concept of developing a socialist-oriented market economy is a highly fundamental and creative theoretical breakthrough of our Party. It is a complete, modern, and integrated market economy that centers on people, for people, and by people; fully promoting the role of the people as masters, implementing social progress and justice in every step and every development policy.

Deeply imbued with President Ho Chi Minh’s thought on “culture must light the way for the nation” and on building socialist Vietnamese people, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, along with our Party, proposed wise decisions on cultural revival, building the Vietnamese people with comprehensive development so that culture and people truly become resources, endogenous strength and important driving force for rapid and sustainable national development.

Inheriting good traditional values of the nation in the history of building and defending the country, he and our Party summarized and elevated the new thinking on protecting the Fatherland early and from afar, safeguarding the country before danger occurs; promoted the pioneering role of comprehensive diplomacy; pay great attention to building the firm postures of people’s determination, all-people national defense, and people’s security; the public security and military forces are two wings of a bird and need to truly serve as the sword and shield of the regime. From the very important initiatives and orientations of the General Secretary, our Party has constantly perfected and promoted a unique school of foreign affairs and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of “Vietnamese bamboo”: Strong roots, solid stems, flexible branches; soft and clever but still persistent and resolute; flexible, creative but consistent, valiant and resilient; gaining great achievements, turning points of historical significance in the field of foreign affairs of the country in recent times.

Over the past three terms, the General Secretary left a very prominent mark in the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system into a clean and comprehensively strong ones; resolutely pushing the fight against corruption, waste, negativity, “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” according to the motto “no forbidden zones, no exception” that have garnered consensus and support from many cadres, Party members, and people. 

He made profound and impactful recommendations on: Party building is the key task, personnel work is “the key of the keys”; relying on the people to build the Party, no inspection, no leadership, and do not “see red but think ripe”, in the fight against corruption, if anyone feels discouraged, then step aside and let someone else do it; if you are not with integrity and in a transparent manner, you cannot give directions to anyone, “honour as the most sacred and noble thing”, etc. These statements have touched the heart and are engraved in the mind and actions of every cadre, Party member and individual.

The excellent successor of the great President Ho Chi Minh's cause of “cultivating people”

Speaking at the 70th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated Uncle Ho’s teachings: “Cadres are the root of all work. Therefore, training personnel is a root task of the Party”. He also made wholehearted recommendations: Building a contingent of cadres is the investment in the country’s long-term and sustainable development; it’s necessary to pay special attention to educating and improving political courage, ideological stance, revolutionary ethics and training exemplary manners for students; and we must resolutely overcome the situation of fearfulness and laziness of studying political theory or perfunctory study, studying just to obtain degrees within the Party and in the society. His words have become a guideline for training and fostering cadres of our Party in the new situation.

The highest leader of our Party was always concerned about how to build a contingent of cadres with sufficient qualities, capacity and prestige, equal to the task; particularly, how to encourage cadres to dare to think, dare to act, dare to innovate, and dare to take responsibility for the common good to remove barriers and bottlenecks, bringing new breakthroughs in the process of renewal and development of the country. He also advised: the deeper the renewal process develops, the more complex theoretical and practical problems appear; therefore, it is necessary to build a team of political theory cadres with enough capacities to solve these problems in the new period.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong lived a noble, simple, and pure life, with exemplary revolutionary ethics, diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, impartiality, and deep concerns for comrades, compatriots, and international friends. The most beautiful and noble values ​​of Vietnamese politics converge and crystallize in the General Secretary. He had a great personality, a blend among leader, theorist, and cultural figure; an exemplary teacher, a shining example for cadres, Party members, and people to learn from and follow.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is no longer with us but the legacy he left behind, his noble aspirations, humanism, and pure morality will forever endure. They are great sources of encouragement and motivation for us to resolutely move forward on the path of successfully building socialism, a great and glorious cause that our Party, Uncle Ho, and the people have chosen, for a rich, democratic, prosperous, civilized, happy, and on par with the great powers across the continents.