The Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Party Congress clearly stated the lessons learned after 40 years of national renovation, including lessons in thoroughly grasping and practicing the viewpoint of "People are the root". Promote the role of the subject and the central position of the people; tighten the close relationship between the Party and the people, relying on the people to build the Party and the political system. Lao Dong Newspaper had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc - former Director of the Party History Institute (Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics), to clarify the meaning, practice and ideological depth of this lesson.
Great ideology throughout every stage of development of the Vietnamese revolution
Sir, one of the lessons pointed out after 40 years of innovation in the draft Party documents is to thoroughly grasp and practice the viewpoint of "People are the root"; rely on the people to build the Party and the political system. How is this view inherited through the Congresses?
- The lesson "People are the root" is a big idea, throughout the entire revolutionary leadership process of our Party. The revolution is the cause of the masses, by the people and for the people. The viewpoint of "people are the root", the subject of the renovation process, has been recognized and implemented by the Party more and more deeply and fully. The close relationship between Dang and the people has been strengthened and enhanced.
Since the 6th Congress in 1986 - the starting point of the renovation process, our Party has affirmed: "In all its activities, the Party must thoroughly grasp the idea of "taking the people as the root", building and promoting the collective ownership of the working people". This is one of the four major lessons learned by the 6th Congress.
Since then, through the Congresses, especially in the context of national construction in the transitional period to socialism (supplemented and developed in 2011), the idea of "taking the people as the root" has not only been inherited but also developed more strongly. The draft documents of this 14th Congress continue to reaffirm that lesson, but at the same time also expand the content with new points. This demonstrates the spirit that all guidelines and policies of the Party must come from the interests, aspirations and lives of the people, and at the same time rely on the people to successfully implement the country's development goals.
This is also a inheritance of President Ho Chi Minh's ideology: "In the sky, nothing is as precious as the people. There is nothing stronger in the world than the people's solidarity." This is even more meaningful in the context that our country is entering a new era, an era of national growth.
Relying on the people to build the Party and the political system
The draft Political Report also emphasizes the requirement to "rely on the people to build the Party and the political system".How does this mean in the current period?
- This is a very basic principle in Party building work. President Ho Chi Minh once mentioned the spirit of "Easy is not enough for the people, difficult is enough for the people" (100,100 times). To have a strong Party, we must rely on the people, be close to the people, listen to the people, respect the people and for the people.
In recent years, the work of streamlining the apparatus, reforming administration, innovating leadership methods... has received the consensus and support of the people. That is the specific manifestation of "relying on the people". When the Party and State properly fulfill the people's wishes and do what the people need, the people's consensus and strength will follow - that is the most solid foundation of the great national unity bloc.
On the other hand, "relying on the people" is also a way for the Party to self-adjust and self-innovate.The people are the "eyes" that help the Party detect weaknesses and violations; at the same time, they are also a resource for the Party to develop, strengthening society's trust in the political system.
Sir, in recent practice, the implementation of the motto "people know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise, people benefit" has achieved what remarkable results?
- We see that in mid-2025, there were more than 280 million comments from people, agencies and organizations in the comments collection period on the draft Resolution amending and supplementing a number of articles of the 2013 Constitution. Draft circulars, decrees, and legal documents are all consulted by the people. We also have a Law on Grassroots Democracy to promote the people's mastery. These are very specific manifestations in the implementation of the motto "people know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise, people benefit".
What is most noticeable is the people's sense of mastery, proactive and creative spirit is increasingly promoted. In major national programs such as: National Target Program on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction... the mark of the people in the role of the subject is clearly seen. People no longer "wait for policies" but directly participate, donate land, contribute merits, and contribute to building their homeland. In rural areas, the creative spirit of farmers is clearly demonstrated through thousands of effective production models and many technical initiatives proposed and applied by farmers themselves. In industry, high-quality labor is increasingly demonstrating a key role in productivity, innovation and technological innovation.
More importantly, grassroots democracy is increasingly being implemented in practice.However, I also want to emphasize that: we must avoid forms, "asking for help"; the collection of opinions must be substantial, so that people can truly speak, discuss, and decide on issues related to their lives.When people see themselves being respected and having a voice, they will actively participate and accompany the Party and the State in all development policies.
- Thank you, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Phuc!
