Lesson about Uncle Ho's rock
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front on September 10, 2015, President Ho Chi Minh used a very everyday image to talk about the power of solidarity: "The nature of the rock is to just stand still, not move. But when many people join forces to push, no matter how big or heavy the rock is, it must be rolled.
Regarding the role of the Front organizations, he said: History in recent years has clearly shown that the united forces of our people are the champion and the Unity Front has won many times.
The Viet Minh Front helped the August Revolution succeed.
The Vietnam-Vietnam United Front helped the resistance win.
We can be assured that: With the efforts of everyone and the support of the entire people, the Fatherland Front will fulfill its glorious mission of helping to build a peaceful, united, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam".
Throughout the history of the nation, the strength of solidarity has always been affirmed as the decisive factor for all victories. President Ho Chi Minh once emphasized: "Solidarity, unity, great unity; success, success, great success". Inheriting and promoting that precious tradition, the Vietnam Fatherland Front has been holding the central position of the great national unity bloc, a solid bridge between the people and the Party and the State, contributing to creating brilliant milestones in the revolutionary history and in today's construction and defense of the Fatherland.
Since the birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam, along with leading the revolutionary movement, the Party has raised the issue of building a unified national front to gather and gather all classes of people. The Directive to establish the Allied Trampoline Association on November 18, 1930 was the first milestone, affirming the great role of the national unity organization in the cause of national liberation.
Through many historical periods, from the Indochinese Democratic Front, the Viet Minh Front, the Viet Viet Viet Front to the Vietnam Fatherland Front in 2001, the mission throughout the years is still to unite all patriotic forces, turning dispersed strength into combined strength to create great victories: the successful August Revolution, the victory of Dien Bien Phu, the great victory in the spring of 1975 to liberate the South and unify the country.
The 2013 Constitution and recently the 2025 Constitution Amendment Resolution clearly stated: "The Vietnam Fatherland Front is the central organization of the great national unity bloc". This is a legal and political affirmation, placing the Front in a special position in the political system. The Front is not only a large social-political organization, but also a political basis of the people's government, with the function of gathering and promoting the strength of national solidarity; representing and protecting the legitimate and legal rights and interests of the people; implementing democracy, enhancing social consensus; supervising and social criticism and participating in Party and State building. It can be said that the Front is a convergence point for all classes, religions, ethnic groups, and Vietnamese people at home and abroad, turning the slogan "All-people solidarity" into a concrete, substantial action.
Looking back on the historical journey, the mark of the Front is always associated with important events of the nation. During the resistance war against French colonialism, the Viet Minh Front gathered the entire people and led the August 1945 General Uprising successfully, forming the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Next, the Lien Viet Front became the core, mobilizing people to fight the bloody resistance, contributing to the resounding victory of Dien Bien Phu in five continents, shaking the world. In the resistance war against the US to save the country, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the Alliance of Ethnic, Democratic and Peaceful Forces have become the flag of solidarity of the people of the South, contributing to the great victory of Spring 1975.
After the National Reunification Day, the National Front Congress in 1977 decided to merge the organizations, taking the name of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. From here, the Front has become a place to gather all political and social forces, taking on the role of gathering people nationwide to build the country in the new era. In the renovation process, the Front has aroused and launched many practical movements, with strong influence such as "All people unite to build a cultural life in residential areas", "day for the poor", "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods". These movements not only have profound socio-economic significance but also affirm their role as a bridge, promoting the people's strength in the cause of national construction and development.
In recent years, the central role of the Front has continued to be affirmed in many important events. Typically, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front issued a call for "All people support COVID-19 prevention and control". In a short time, thousands of billions of VND along with tens of thousands of tons of goods and medical supplies were donated, contributing to creating great strength for the entire political system and people to defeat the pandemic. That is a vivid testament to the central location, where the strength of the entire people converges and arouses.
Amending the Constitution highlights the role of the Fatherland Front
In June 2025, the National Assembly passed the 2013 Constitution (amended). One of the key contents of the revised Constitution is the repositioning and strengthening of the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Accordingly, Article 9 of the Constitution has been amended to officially stipulate that "the Vietnam Fatherland Front is the central organization of the great national unity bloc".
This regulation not only clarifies the core role but also creates the highest legal basis for the rearrangement of member organizations, reducing overlap in functions and tasks, while ensuring unity and synchronization with the organizational structure of the Party.
Article 9 of the amendment comprehensively stipulates the role of the Front as part of the political system led by the Communist Party of Vietnam; as the political basis of the people's government; with the task of gathering and promoting the strength of national great unity; representing and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people; implementing democracy, enhancing social consensus; supervising and social criticism and participating in building the Party and State.
In addition, the revised Constitution also stipulates the right to submit draft laws in Clause 1, Article 84, accordingly, the central agencies of socio-political organizations have the right to submit draft laws to the National Assembly, while other member organizations of the Front will exercise this right through the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
It is no coincidence that the Constitution has a completely different thing to regulate the Front. Because, unlike any organization, the Vietnam Fatherland Front is both a member of the political system and a political basis of the people's government. The Front does not compete or overlap with other organizations but plays a role in connecting, bargaining, and coordinating, ensuring unity of will and action. The Fatherland Front is an important channel for people to express their thoughts and aspirations; at the same time, it conducts social supervision and criticism, contributing to building a clean and strong Party and government.
In the context of globalization and extensive integration, the Front needs to continue to expand solidarity, mobilize the intelligence and resources of all classes, overseas Vietnamese, religious people, and ethnic minorities in the cause of common development. Campaigns and patriotic emulation movements need to be organized in a practical, effective manner, close to the lives of each citizen. The role of social supervision and criticism must be further enhanced, contributing opinions to major policies and guidelines; supervising law enforcement, preventing and combating corruption and waste. At the same time, the Front needs to strengthen people's foreign affairs activities, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena.
