The Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term hold important significance. They are not only an extensive and vital political activity within the Party and among the people, but also a foundation for the successful organization of the 14th National Congress of the Party. More importantly, this series of events plays a crucial role in shaping a firm political foundation, paving the way for the nation to confidently embark on a new era - an era of development, prosperity, and strength, fulfilling the aspirations of President Ho Chi Minh and heartfelt hopes of the entire nation.

The reality of Vietnam’s revolutionary movement has shown that the Party congresses at all levels play a guiding, orienting, and pivotal role, exerting profound influence across the Party and society. The upcoming Party congresses for the 2025-2030 term have three core tasks: Discussing and approving the congress documents at their levels while contributing feedback on the draft documents of higher-level congresses and the 14th National Party Congress; selecting personnel for Party committees at all levels; and finalizing the leadership structure of Party organizations from the grassroots to the central levels. These are crucial and fundamental matters, directly related to the Party’s leadership role, governance, and combat strength; to the formulation of policies, strategies, and leadership measures; and to the internal strength of the Party and the political system. They will determine the effectiveness of the Party leadership at all levels in the coming term and shape the combined strength of the entire nation in the future.

Our Party is the ruling party, leading through its policies and guidelines. Party congress documents at all levels concretize the Party’s directives into practical solutions tailored to sectors, localities, and assigned responsibilities. These documents serve as road-maps for leadership, addressing shortcomings, seizing opportunities, removing barriers, and mobilizing the collective strength of Party members and the people to achieve and surpass set goals. Ensuring high-quality comments to congress documents at all levels, particularly by proposing solutions grounded in grassroots realities and daily lives of local communities, even at the village and individual levels, is essential for generating momentum, fostering enthusiasm, and creating a powerful nationwide effect.

Personnel for Party committees are not only key leaders and managers in ministries, sectors, localities, agencies, and units but also serve as a vital bridge between the Party, the State, and the people. They play a decisive role in implementing the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws. At the same time, they grasp the situations and propose policies that align with the aspirations and interests of the people. Secretaries, deputy secretaries, and committee members are crucial figures whose leadership directly impacts the political missions, stability, development, and long-term strength of the localities and organizations.

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Party General Secretary To Lam (Photo: VNA)

To successfully organize the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, Party committees must strictly adhere to the directives outlined in Directive No.35-CT/TW, issued on June 14, 2024 by the Politburo on “Organizing Party congresses at all levels in preparation for the 14th National Party Congress,” as well as Conclusion No.118-KL/TW, dated January 18, 2025 by the Politburo, which amends and supplements the aforementioned directive. In addition, the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission, Inspection Commission, Information and Education and Mass Mobilization Commission, and Office have issued 21 guiding documents related to organizing the Party congresses. These documents should be regarded as “textbooks” for effective implementation.

As we actively implement Resolution No.18 of the Politburo on restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus of agencies and units in the political system, Party committees at all levels must promptly consolidate their structures, ensure smooth operations, and continue to streamline internal organizational systems within each agency, unit, and locality. The four newly-established Party Committees, consisting of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies, the Party Committee of the Government, the Party Committee of the National Assembly, and the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, along with the restructured central Party commissions and newly-established Party organizations in various ministries, provinces, and cities, must swiftly stabilize and operate in accordance with the Party Charter and new regulations set by the Party Central Committee, ensuring compliance in both operations and the organization of Party congresses at all levels.

To successfully organize Party congresses at all levels, Party committees must focus on the following three key issues:

First, it must be highly understood that the achievements of our country under the Party’s leadership over the past 95 years, particularly after 40 years of renewal, are proudly remarkable. However, there are many difficulties and challenges facing that require the determination and solidarity of the whole Party, people, and armed forces. The Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term’s responsibility is actively addressing these challenges.

Many long-standing barriers have yet to be resolved. The risks of stagnation, economic and technological lagging, and falling into the “middle-income trap” remain real threats. Besides, natural disasters, storms, floods, and severe consequences of climate change have heavily impacted many localities. Corruption, wastefulness, and negative practices, among others, have not been fully eradicated. These weaknesses provide openings for hostile forces to exploit in their attempts to undermine trust in the Party, State, and our political system through “peaceful evolution” and “self-evolution,” and “self-transformation.”

These risks and challenges pose direct threats to the realization of Vietnam’s centennial strategic goals: building a prosperous, developed nation under the Party’s leadership and achieving high-income status by the mid-21st century. To identify these challenges, it is essential to precisely assess the risks and opportunities, set clear goals, and forge strong political consensus. This requires decisive, accurate, and drastic actions to remove bottlenecks, mobilize resources, and maximize the potential of each sector, industry, and locality.

Second, regarding the development of documents and comments to the congress documents at higher levels, including the 14th National Party Congress. The political reports presented at Party congresses at all levels must be in line with the draft documents for the 14th National Congress. These reports should provide an objective analysis and assessment of the implementation of the previous congress’s resolutions, accurately reflecting the realities and development of each locality, sector, agency, and unit. They must highlight key achievements in leadership and innovation while facing the truth and pointing out shortcomings, limitations, and unresolved issues. The reports must look into the reasons for both successes and limitations, particularly in terms of policies, implementation strategies, governance, human resources, and public engagement. They should emphasize lessons learned from effective models and innovative approaches, providing valuable insights for future development. Pro-active research, accurate situational assessments, and in-depth analysis of emerging challenges affecting various sectors and localities are essential. The reports must clearly define potential and development advantages under the guiding principle: “National vision, local action, business collaboration, and citizen responsibility.” They should propose strategic directions, key tasks, and breakthrough solutions, all aimed at advancing economic, cultural, and social progress. Ultimately, every effort should be directed toward improving the material and spiritual lives of the people, ensuring happiness and prosperity for all.

The self-assessment report on the leadership and direction of the Party committees must be in line with the political report, avoiding replication or perfunctory reviews. This process must strictly adhere to regulations, action programs, and the implementation of Party resolutions at all levels, combined with the guidance of higher Party committees and specific conditions of each locality, agency, or unit. The review must also evaluate the execution of key Central Party Committee’s resolutions from the 11th, 12th, and 13th National Party Congresses, particularly in combination with studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and lifestyle, as well as regulations on Party member conduct and role modeling, especially among leaders. The primary criteria for evaluation should be tangible leadership outcomes and public satisfaction. The report must frankly identify limitations and ensure a spirit of self-criticism and constructive feedback. A thorough examination of root causes, especially subjective factors, is essential to draw lessons, develop corrective action plans, and establish concrete measures for improvement in the 2025-2030 term. Moreover, the report must clearly link collective responsibility with individual accountability, particularly for leaders and those in charge of key areas. This serves as a critical basis for evaluating Party committee members and selecting personnel for the next term. The self-assessment process should be seen as an opportunity to foster mutual understanding, solidarity, and a stronger working environment, rather than a tool for personal attacks, or discrediting Party members.

Discussing and contributing opinions on the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress and the documents of the immediate superior Party congress must be conducted in a substantive, effective manner, with a clear focus, avoiding superficial or formalistic input. Based on the specific conditions of each Party organization and congress, key issues, new topics, and matters with multiple possible approaches should be identified to guide and stimulate discussions. The selection of appropriate forms of dialogue and feedback is essential to ensure the collection of well-thought-out, high-quality opinions. During discussions, it is crucial to maintain an open-minded and receptive attitude, genuinely listening to and respecting different perspectives, especially on new or complex issues. At the same time, fundamental principles must be upheld with firm conviction, avoiding any wavering or compromise. Vigilance and awareness must be maintained against any attempts to exploit the feedback process for distortion or subversive activities.

Third, particular emphasis must be placed on personnel preparation for the Party congresses. It is essential to recognize that this preparation is not just for a single congress term but extends to shaping the future leadership of Party organizations, the development of sectors, localities, agencies, and units. More broadly, it concerns the destiny of the Party, the survival of the political system, and the nation’s development. This is a matter closely monitored by Party members, officials, and the public. At the same time, it is also an area targeted by malicious and politically opportunistic forces seeking to spread false information and distort facts to sow division within the Party. Regarding the structure of the Party committees, it is necessary to ensure the direct and comprehensive leadership of the Party over critical areas and fields. While structuring the Party committees, quality must take precedence over quotas; standards must not be lowered for the sake of representation. It is not mandatory for every locality, department, or sector to have a representative in the Party committee. Those selected as Party committee members must genuinely serve as the political leadership core, representing the Party membership and earning the trust and respect of the public. Party committee members must be capable of serving as part of a “combat staff,” maintaining strong solidarity and unity in both ideology and action, while being truly clean, steadfast, and loyal. The responsibility of leaders in proposing and nominating personnel, especially successors, must be emphasized in accordance with the new Party Central Committee’s guidelines. Personnel preparation must strike a balance between local candidates and officials rotated from other areas. In cases where localities or units lack in-house candidates for the Party committee structure, the immediate superior Party committee must consider appointing personnel from other areas who meet the necessary qualifications and political requirements. These individuals should be introduced or appointed to the Party committee either before or after the congresses. Efforts must be made to ensure that at least 15% of Party committee members are women, with female representation in the standing board. Additionally, at least 10% of Party committee members should be young cadres, while the proportion of ethnic minority members should be aligned with the demographic characteristics and specific conditions of each locality, agency, or unit.

Apart from strict adherence to the Party Charter and existing regulations, the personnel work of Party committees must be conducted in a systematic, scientific, and humane manner. Careful preparation must be made for both Party committee personnel and delegates to higher-level Party congresses. The selection and nomination process must adhere to established standards and conditions, based on planning, regulations, and democratic, transparent procedures. Candidates must be assessed on their political integrity, ethical conduct, professional competence, reputation, and tangible work achievements. Under no circumstances should candidates be selected if they lack public trust, nor should individuals be nominated merely for their ability to maintain superficial harmony and consensus to secure votes. Personnel selected for Party committees and as congress delegates must be the Party’s elite, exemplifying political integrity, strategic vision, and intellectual prowess. They must possess a high sense of responsibility, innovative thinking, and the ability to seize opportunities, dare to think and act boldly, and take responsibility for the common good. Such individuals must not be passive, avoidant, or hesitant when confronted with emerging challenges. They must demonstrate practical leadership and management skills, as well as the courage to propose creative ideas that help shape sound policies. These decisions must address increasingly complex and demanding requirements for the national development and defense cause. The personnel selection process must be conducted in a rigorous, scientific, and consistent manner under the Party Central Committee’s guidelines. Simple, arbitrary, or unprincipled approaches must be avoided, as should manipulative tactics, such as inserting “puppet candidates” or rigid, mechanical selections detached from reality. It is essential to ensure that the most capable and deserving individuals are chosen without overlooking talented candidates who meet the necessary qualifications and standards. At the same time, opportunism, power ambitions, personal lobbying, factionalism, group interests, localization and cronyism must be firmly opposed. Since personnel selection is the foundation of all issues, every effort must be made to identify and nurture true talent. Failing to recognize and utilize capable individuals would be a waste of human resources and potential.

Throughout the preparation and organization of Party congresses, particularly in newly established or restructured Party organizations, it is crucial to uphold the Party’s organizational principles, especially “democratic centralism,” “unity and solidarity,” and “self-criticism and criticism.” The guiding principles of steadfastness and innovation, inheritance and development must be fully grasped to ensure thorough, serious, and comprehensive congress preparations. While focusing on congress preparations, the Party leadership must also ensure the effective execution of political tasks. The congresses must be organized in a practical and cost-effective manner, avoiding extravagance and wastefulness while maintaining solemnity and significance. Additionally, reforms should be made to the formulation, adoption, and dissemination of resolutions, with a greater emphasis on delegation of authority and reducing unnecessary administrative intermediaries. Party members and officials must take a pro-active, exemplary role, and public engagement should be encouraged to garner broad support. It is necessary to actively and effectively carry out ideological work, information dissemination, and propaganda to foster unity within the Party and consensus among the public. Strengthening public trust in Party organizations at grassroots level must be a priority. Creating the best possible conditions and environment for intellectual contribution and public participation in the development of congress documents and personnel planning is crucial. This will help ensure congresses’ success and facilitate the swift implementation of its resolutions, ultimately bringing about prosperity, freedom, and happiness for all citizens.

General Secretary of Central Committee of Communist Party of Vietnam TO LAM