Communist Review - During the Doi Moi (Renewal) period, the mindset, awareness, and policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam regarding building culture within the organisation have had a broad and profound influence, becoming a source of its internal strength.

This is also an “essential” condition for building the Communist Party of Vietnam into a truly “ethical and civilised” organisation, while enhancing the overall effectiveness of the political system to better serve the people’s needs and aspirations.

Culture - The “soul” of the nation and the Party’s internal strength for progressive, firm, and civilised development

Culture is the synthesis of material and spiritual values created by human beings for the development of people and human society. It originates from the practical needs of life and the imperative of human survival - the origin and driving force of culture⁽¹⁾.

The role of culture is defined as the spiritual foundation of society and an internal source of strength that ensures the country’s sustainable development.

In reality, “the cultural front is one of the three fronts (economic, political, and cultural) on which communists must act”⁽²⁾. More specifically, “culture is both the result of the economy and a driving force for economic development”⁽³⁾

As the Party is regarded as the elite force leading the nation, culture - with its inherent values and internal vitality - must also become the goal, motivation, and internal strength for the Party’s growth and progress.

During the reform period, the Party’s awareness of building culture within itself has made significant strides, being a key factor generating the Party’s internal strength and contributing to building a pure, strong Party and political system.

Resolution No. 03-NQ/TW dated July 16, 1998, of the Party Central Committee on “Building and developing an advanced culture imbued with the national identity of Vietnam,” clearly states: to build and develop culture across society, it is first necessary to cultivate culture within the Party and state apparatus.

Subsequently, Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW dated June 9, 2014, on “Building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development,” affirms the task of fostering culture within the Party, state agencies, and mass organisations, and considers this an important factor in building a pure and strong political system.

At the 13th National Congress, the Party asserted the need to “study, supplement, and perfect revolutionary ethical values in the spirit that “the Party is ethical and civilised,” consistent with new conditions and the nation’s fine cultural traditions”⁽⁴⁾.

The Party’s strength, first and foremost, lies within itself - a self-generated, intrinsic, and fundamental strength to make “our Party truly ethical and civilised” ⁽⁵⁾.

If the building and development of Vietnamese culture and people are considered vital tasks that create a strong “fortress” to protect the Party, then building culture from within the Party must be viewed as an especially important mission to enhance the Party’s internal strength and resilience against all hostile schemes.

At the same time, this constitutes a crucial aspect of Party building work, a fundamental and most effective solution to further strengthen the people’s trust in the Party, thereby reaffirming the Party’s competence, stature, and prestige.

Making culture an internal strength in building and safeguarding the Party in the new era – the era of the nation’s rise

First, thoroughly grasp, implement, and concretise the Party’s and the State’s guidelines and policies on preserving and promoting cultural values to serve the cause of national development ⁽⁶⁾.

Alongside the ongoing process of building the national value system, the cultural value system, and the standards of Vietnamese people associated with maintaining and developing family values in the new period, it is essential to study and define the standards of revolutionary ethics and the cultural conduct of officials and Party members.

The Party should, first and foremost, serve as the pioneering force and the most elite and exemplary organisation, a place where the nation’s finest traditional and cultural values converge and radiate.

Therefore, building culture within the Party contributes to orienting the process of building the national value system, the cultural value system, and the human standards linked to preserving and promoting Vietnamese family values in the new era.

The attachment of importance to building a culture within the Party must begin with a clear awareness of the Party’s role in relation to different social strata, its leadership and governing position within the political system, as well as the content and methods of its leadership. It also involves recognising the relationship between the Party and the people, between building culture within the Party and preserving and developing the nation’s traditional cultural values.

At the same time, building culture within the Party must be grounded in the theoretical foundations of Marxism–Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the nation’s traditional cultural values, the Party’s traditions, and social perceptions of truth, goodness, and beauty. It must also be based on regulations for handling relationships between Party organisations and members, between Party members and the people, and between Party organisations and other entities within the political system as reflected in the content and methods of leadership, especially the attitude towards self-criticism and criticism, the response to mistakes and shortcomings, and the working and leadership styles of Party organisations and members.

Second, cultural values must be present, becoming a vital element determining the revolutionary, scientific, and humane nature of the Party’s guidelines. The Party’s role and mission are most clearly expressed in its policymaking, through which the Party illuminates revolutionary movements and development in line with the chosen goals. The Party’s revolutionary guidelines not only demonstrate its courage, determination, and intellect but also embody the will and aspirations of the people.

Therefore, in formulating policies and guidelines, the Party must remain absolutely loyal to Marxism–Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, respect reality and objective laws, and be guided by the traditional values of both the Party and the Vietnamese nation.

Every policy and guideline must originate from the people’s aspirations and aim to serve their well-being, freedom, and happiness.

The Party must never allow individualism to dominate or corrupt its principles.

The Party’s guidelines must embody the essence of our regime and the superiority and humanity of Marxism–Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and socialism.

Third, culture must become the greatest factor influencing the behaviour, attitude, and sense of responsibility of every Party organisation and member.

Based on a profound understanding of the Party’s guidelines, policies, resolutions, and regulations, together with the nation’s traditional cultural values, each official and Party member must acknowledge, embrace and internalise these values to translate them into action. This process forms standards of conduct suited to their environment, position, and relationships in both work and life.

In addition, officials and Party members must constantly improve themselves in all aspects. This includes loyalty to the Fatherland; steadfastness in Marxism–Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the Party’s goals of national independence and socialism; steadiness in the face of numerous difficulties and challenges; independence, autonomy, self-reliance, and resilience; and a strong sense of discipline, especially in speech.

They must persistently uphold the principles of Party building, adopt an attitude free of ambitions for power and material greed, and resolutely combat and prevent corruption, negative phenomena, and all manifestations of moral decline. They must “value integrity and honour, and feel ashamed when they or their relatives engage in corruption or negative behaviour”⁽⁷⁾. At the same time, they must contribute to “educating and nurturing human qualities, ethics, and character; strengthening willpower and national consciousness; preserving national identity; ensuring market-oriented economic development without eroding social ethics; and integrating globally without losing cultural distinctiveness”⁽⁸⁾.

Cultural self-conduct requires each official and Party member to possess genuine courage, integrity, and determination, as it represents a battle with oneself.

Conducting oneself according to cultural norms and values enables Party members to remain resilient and steadfast when facing difficulties, temptations, or pressures.

The Party’s internal strength is thus built upon cultural values and their influence on each member’s behaviour.

Moreover, in relations with comrades and colleagues, the value standards that guide the behaviour of officials and Party members are sincerity, compassion, and mutual support based on morality, justice, and the perception of beauty in cultural conduct.

President Ho Chi Minh emphasised: “To understand Marxism–Leninism is to live with affection and gratitude. If one reads many books but lives without affection and gratitude, one cannot claim to understand Marxism–Leninism”⁽⁹⁾.

This is the humanistic value in building relationships among comrades and colleagues, supporting one another for mutual progress, contributing to fostering solidarity and unity within the Party. This approach stands entirely opposed to behaviours such as concealing shortcomings, exploiting self-criticism and criticism to slander or discredit others, or adopting a “peace at all costs” attitude, remaining silent in the face of right and wrong.

Furthermore, every official and Party member must wholeheartedly serve the Fatherland and the people; speak and act in accordance with the Party’s and State’s policies, guidelines and laws; remain dedicated and responsible, and always adopt an attitude of determination and willingness to take initiative in performing tasks. Additionally, every official and Party member must dare to think, speak, act, assume responsibility, innovate, and confront difficulties and challenges, while opposing fear of responsibility, reluctance to innovate, and failure to express opinions at work.

They must be deeply aware that in the close, blood-bonded relationship between the Party and the people, the Party is both the leader and the servant of the people. The Party’s strength lies in its close bond with the people, in their hearts and through their trust.

Therefore, it is essential to continuously perfect the mass-oriented working style, create an environment for the people to exercise their democratic rights, and rely on the people to build a pure, strong Party.

To strengthen public trust, the Party must truly embody morality, civilisation, and responsibility for the people. By doing so, the Party will consolidate its power and continue to win the people’s love, trust and protection.

Fourth, practise the culture of setting examples and promoting the pioneering and exemplary role of Party members. Setting an example is one of the traditional moral and cultural values of the nation and plays an important role in educating and persuading others to follow suit.

To exercise leadership, the Party must be a pioneering force, taking the lead in thinking, speaking, and acting, and view this as the most civilised and progressive form of leadership.

Therefore, practising the culture of setting an example must be considered a core aspect of building culture within the Party.

If exemplary conduct is regarded as one of the moral standards of officials and Party members, especially those in leadership positions, then practising this culture must be a constant and regular task of the Party.

It is impossible for an official or Party member who fails to be upright, exemplary, or who experiences moral decline and loses credibility to lead others. Hence, “the higher the position of an official or Party member, the more exemplary they must be; superiors must set an example for subordinates, Party committees for their members, and Party members for the people”⁽¹⁰⁾.

The competence, intellect, morality, and exemplary conduct of each official and Party member reflect, in miniature, the ethics and civilisation of the Party itself, serving as a “measure” of the people’s trust and loyalty to the Party.

Fifth, attach importance to and encourage the culture of resignation and the ability to acknowledge and correct mistakes to ensure the sustainable development of a revolutionary Party.

President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “A Party that conceals its shortcomings is a doomed Party.

A Party that has the courage to acknowledge its own shortcomings, clearly identify them, examine their causes and the circumstances, and then seek every possible way to correct them - such a Party is progressive, bold, resolute, and genuine”⁽¹¹⁾.

Over 95 years of revolutionary leadership, the Party has shown that by addressing each mistake or shortcoming with determination, it becomes stronger, more steadfast, purer, and wiser, and earns the people’s greater trust and support.

On November 3, 2021, the Politburo issued Regulation No. 41-QD/TW on “Dismissal and resignation of officials,” which reflects the refined values of the culture of resignation in both traditional and modern governance, strict yet humane and compassionate.

Likewise, the Politburo’s Regulation No. 144-QD/TW dated May 9, 2024, on “Standards of revolutionary ethics for officials and Party members in the new era,” clearly states: “Practise the culture of resignation when lacking competence or credibility.”

The Party’s greatness does not lie solely in its capacity to formulate policies or lead their implementation, nor in its well-organised system and dedicated, upright, and close-knit officials and Party members, or in its intellect, creativity, determination, and consistency during difficult revolutionary periods. It is also reflected in its code of conduct and behaviour towards mistakes and shortcomings.

In the new era, the era of the nation’s rise, it is essential to study and refine the values and standards governing the Party’s organisation and activities, while consistently focusing on building culture within the Party. This ensures that culture is always present in daily life and becomes an intrinsic source of strength for the Party, contributing to the construction of a greater Party that stands firm in the face of all difficulties and challenges./.

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* Dr, Vice Rector of Tran Phu Political School, Ha Tinh Province

(1) See: Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 3, p. 458.

(2) Complete Collection of Party Documents, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2000, vol. 7, p. 316.

(3) See: Resolution No. 03-NQ/TW of the Central Committee, dated July 16, 1998, “Building an advanced culture imbued with national identity of Vietnam”

(4) Documents of the 13th National Party Congress, The Truth National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, vol. I, p. 184.

(5) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, ibid., vol. 12, p. 403.

(6) Resolution No. 05-NQ/TW, dated November 28, 1987, of the Politburo “On reforming and enhancing leadership and management in literature, arts, and culture; promoting creativity to further develop literature, arts, and culture to a new level”; Resolution No. 03-NQ/TW, dated July 16, 1998, of the Party Central Committee on “Building an advanced culture imbued with national identity of Vietnam”; Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW, dated June 9, 2014, of the Party Central Committee on “Building Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development”; Conclusion No. 76-KL/TW, dated June 4, 2020, of the Politburo “On continuing to implement Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW of the 11th Party Central Committee on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development,” etc.

(7) Nguyen Phu Trong: Resolutely and persistently combating corruption and negative phenomena, contributing to building a purer and stronger Party and State, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2023, p. 136.

(8) Nguyen Phu Trong: Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2024, p. 246.

(9) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, ibid., vol. 15, p. 668.

(10) Regulation No. 144-QD/TW, dated May 9, 2024, of the Politburo,  “Regulation on revolutionary ethical standards for officials and Party members in the new period.”

(11) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, ibid., vol. 5, p. 301.