This is also a solution to promote the people's mastery in all areas of social life as stated in the draft political report of the 13th Party Central Committee at the 14th National Congress of the Party.
From models from the grassroots
In the process of innovation and development, one of the most important factors to build a strong Party and political system is to listen to and respect the opinions of the people. General Secretary To Lam has repeatedly affirmed that "taking the people as the center, subject, goal and driving force of innovation" is not only a slogan but a consistent guiding principle, a guiding principle for all policies and actions of the Party.
In some localities, the "Listen to the People" model has been implemented, not only as a dialogue activity but also a strong commitment from the government to the people. For example, in Dong Phuoc A commune, Chau Thanh district, Hau Giang province (old), the model "Saturday People Say" has been implemented for more than 10 years. With the motto that commune cadres and civil servants must proactively go down to the hamlet to listen to the people, considering the people's work as their own work to discuss and resolve, from this initiative, every last Friday of the month, Party Committee Secretaries, People's Committee Chairmen, cadres in charge of sectors, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and commune organizations go down to a hamlet to dialogue with the people. Next month, we take turns in another hamlet, so that all the hamlets in the area will be discussed throughout the year.
Or recently, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City Pham Duc An signed an Official Dispatch assigning the People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones to increase the sending of cadres to each village and residential group in the area to grasp the thoughts and aspirations of the people on promptly resolving legitimate recommendations and proposals of people under their authority; proactively advising and proposing to departments and branches to guide and handle issues beyond their authority or beyond the authority of the locality. Da Nang requires that the people do not have to wait until the meetings with voters of the City National Assembly Delegation and the City People's Council for feedback and recommendations. Voters' petitions must be responded to in writing in a complete and timely manner, while explaining and mobilizing people to understand and implement.
However, the "people's listening" activity has not taken place on a large scale and has not become a regular political activity in many localities.
"Listening to the People" needs to be widely and effectively implemented
When mentioning limitations and weaknesses, the Draft Political Report of the 13th Party Central Committee at the 14th National Congress of the Party frankly acknowledged: The reception and settlement of petitions from people and businesses in some ministries, branches and local governments is still slow and unsatisfactory, causing prolonged frustration. The activities of social supervision, criticism, and protection of people's rights of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations are still confused and of low quality. The people's right to mastery has not been fully institutionalized, and there are still violations in some places."
To overcome this situation, General Secretary To Lam's direction on organizing the "People's Voice Month" at all levels and regions is a breakthrough, promptly identifying hot issues, thereby having timely adjustment policies in accordance with reality.
This model helps build a political system closely linked to the community, no longer having a gap between leaders and people. Organizing direct dialogues between the government and people in remote areas will increase consensus in the community, helping the government better understand the needs, aspirations and difficulties that people are facing. In particular, for mountainous areas, where there are major changes in administrative organization, the "People listen to the audience" model will create space for people to express their aspirations and the government can respond quickly and accurately.
Therefore, "Listen to the People" is not only a form of dialogue but a long-term development strategy, bringing practical benefits to both the people and the government. That is the close connection between the Party and the people, a solid foundation for building a fair and democratic society. When people feel listened to and cared for by the government, they will feel more connected and more confident in the decisions and policies of the Party. From there, the political system will be consolidated and developed strongly, not only in the field of management but also in the implementation of socio-economic development goals.
The Draft Political Report of the 13th Party Central Committee at the 14th National Congress of the Party is collecting public opinion to affirm the requirement in the new period: "Promoting the people's mastery in all areas of social life. There is an appropriate, convenient and reliable mechanism for the People to participate in giving opinions on the process of planning guidelines and policies, deciding on major and important issues of the country; promoting the responsibility of receiving and reporting information and explanation of Party and State agencies for the People's recommendations and proposals. Fully implement the rights of direct democracy, representative democracy, especially democracy at the grassroots level; fight against manifestations of formal democracy.
The draft also raises the issue of listening to the people and at the same time must go hand in hand with strengthening responsibility, order and social discipline; strengthening social consensus associated with promoting citizens' sense of responsibility; strictly handling violations of the people's right to mastery, taking advantage of democracy to sabotage the Party and the State, causing political - social instability, and dividing the great national unity bloc.
Implementing the direction of the General Secretary, the Resolution of the 1st National Party Congress of the Fatherland Front, the Central organizations for the 2025-2030 term have agreed to develop an action program for the 2025-2030 term: Within 3 months after the Congress:
Complete the organization and promulgation of a 3-step implementation plan, launch the "Digital Front Portal", select each province/city 01 model of social dialogue and 01 model of community security. In the 6 months after the Congress: Organize "Listening to the People" at all levels, organizations and unions under the Front; operate digital maps on people's issues.
