Communist Review - Editorial words: On March 30, 2020, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, appealed to compatriots, comrades, soldiers nationwide and overseas Vietnamese people to stay united in their will and actions, to drastically and effectively deploy undertakings and solutions of the Party and the State as well as the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister to ensure the victory over COVID-19 pandemic. Communist Review would like to introduce the full text of the Call from the General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong.

Dear compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide, as well as our overseas compatriots

The wide spread of COVID-19 pandemic recently has had profound and comprehensive impacts on every aspects of socio-economic life of countries across the globe. Up to now, there have been over 720.000 infected cases, while nearly 35.000 reported deaths in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world. The pandemic is forecasted to grow with complex and unpredictable patterns, and possibly cause more serious consequences.

Over the last few months, under the Party’s leadership and the State’s management, the direction and administration of the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, all branches, levels, localities, the entire political system have united to drastically deploy many synchronous measures that both preventing and limiting the spread of epidemics, while ensuring to implement the task of socio-economic development, ensuring social security and safety; initially obtained many positive results, showed the strength of national unity as well as the determination the whole Party, the people and the army in the fight against the pandemic which are widely recognized and highly appreciated by international community.

On behalf of the Party and the State, I warmly welcome and praise the participation of the Party committees at all levels, party organizations as well as authorities from the Central to grassroots levels. I also congratulate the tireless efforts of the health sector, the army, the police, departments, ministries and branches; the timely and active contribution of the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, the business community, and news agencies. In particular, I would like to thank our compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide and our overseas compatriots for their trust, support and enthusiasm in responding to epidemic prevention and control.

Understanding infectious disease risk at the community level, the entire political system must decidedly pay attention to prevent and control the pandemic. There is no reason to panic, but it is not about loosening. We need to firmly grasp the situation, forecast the worst-case scenario, and promptly work out effective measures to control and prevent the spread of infection. Each agency, unit, organization, and each locality should follow the direction of their superiors, take open and cooperative actions to counter the pandemic; as well as prioritize resources, time and efforts for such an emerging situation.

Dear compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide, as well as our overseas compatriots

Patriotism and humanity have a deep root in the Vietnamese traditions. In times of hardship, that tradition was strongly reinforced. Staying united in will and actions, our entire nation has initially managed to prevent and control the pandemic over the last few months. In the coming time, we will need to put a great deal of effort to tackle with the pandemic as the difficulties might have been multiplied.

In the fight against pandemic, a number of measures will definitely affect the activities of organizations, individuals, as well as daily life of our entire people. As stressing the importance of the our people well-being, health and safety in the very first priority, I call on all compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide, as well as our overseas compatriots to stay united in will and actions, to drastically and effectively deploy undertakings and solutions of the Party and the State as well as the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister. Each citizen is a soldier on the epidemic prevention and control front.

As an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam expresses the deep concern and sympathy while making every effort to cooperate and coordinate with other countries, especially those severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. I think that, in times of hardship, global solidarity and coordination are a sure basis for the final victory over the COVID-19 pandemic.

All the people of Vietnam, let’s stay united to overcome all difficulties and challenges in the fight over the COVID-19 pandemic!

This article was published in the Communist Review, No. 939 (April 2020)