No. 45
August 5, 2024
Honouring Nguyen Phu Trong,
General
Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam on His Passing
1944 - 2024
• Vietnamese People Bid Farewell to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
• Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) Pays Respects on Death of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong
• General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong Leaves a Strong Mark on National Development
• General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong — Excellent Leader with Imprints in Vietnam's Diplomacy
Vietnamese People Bid Farewell to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, passed away on July 19 after a long illness. He leaves a profound legacy of contributions to the Communist Party of Vietnam, the international communist and workers' movement, the Vietnamese people, Vietnam and all humanity.
People of Vietnam, Party and State Leaders and International
Delegations
Pay Their Respects
General Secretary Nguyen Phu
Trong lies in state at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi, July 25, 2024.
An estimated quarter of a million people came to pay their respects
to Comrade Trong in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as his birthplace
over the two-day official mourning period.
Delegation of
the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by
Politburo member and President To Lam, pays respects, July 25, 2024.
Delegation of the
National Assembly, led by Politburo member and Chairman of the National
Assembly Tran Thanh Man, pays respects.
Delegation of the
Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front pays its respects.
The Cuban delegation,
led by President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba
Esteban Lazo Hernandez, pays its respects.
Ngo Thi Man, spouse of
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, lights incense to pay her respects.
Comrade Trong's wife,
children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members come to pay their respects.
Ho Chi Minh City
Lai Da Village, General Secretary Nguyen Phu
Trong's Hometown
Memorial
Service and Funeral Procession, Hanoi
President To Lam gives the Eulogy
at the Memorial Service, July 26, 2024.
Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong was buried with full honours at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi on July 26. The memorial service at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi and burial were attended by President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and other high-ranking members of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and representatives of the military, religious organizations and government departments as well as members of the foreign diplomatic corps and international friends.
In his eulogy, President To Lam noted that Comrade Trong was "an exceptionally excellent leader, a bright example of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and lifestyle, a staunch and prestigious communist of our Party, State and people, and an embodiment of full quality, talent, mettle and intellect of generations of Vietnamese leaders in the renewal period."
He underscored Comrade Trong's many contributions in building and renewing the Communist Party of Vietnam, "unwaveringly pursuing and creatively applying Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology" to advance the nation-building project of Vietnam in the current period, his contributions to advancing Vietnam's relations with other countries, and his significant contribution in the field of culture. President To Lam noted that: "[A]fter more than 70 years, our Party has held a national conference on culture, a milestone linking the ideology and actions of the entire Party, people and army, strongly promoting the role of culture in fulfilling the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation."
President To Lam also emphasized Comrade Trong's role in building the unity of the people with the Party and how the late General Secretary put the interests of the people of Vietnam as the decisive factor in implementing the policies of the Party and government, building trust and solidarity among the Vietnamese people, and contributing immeasurably to strengthening the ties between the Vietnamese people and other countries and peoples.
President To Lam added: "Throughout his entire life, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong relentlessly devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of our Party and nation with a steel-like spirit and will, did not backtrack in the face of obstacles and difficulties; dedicated all of his sense of responsibility and revolutionary enthusiasm and worked till his last breath," showing his qualities as a leader brought forth by the Vietnamese people, "demonstrating a great figure living his life to the fullest for the country, the Party, and the people."
At the end of his eulogy, President To Lam pledged, on behalf of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the government and the people, that the "legacy left by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will last forever in the history of Vietnam and be inherited and further brought into play in the cause of renewal, thereby successfully realizing the goal of building a peaceful, independent, united, democratic, prosperous, powerful, civilized, and happy Vietnam that you wished and strived for throughout your whole life."
At the burial service leaders and former leaders of the Party, state and the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, comrades, the public, international friends and family placed flowers and paid silent tribute before Comrade Trong was laid to rest.
International
delegations participate in Memorial Service, July 26, 2024
Tens of thousands line
the streets for funeral procession in Hanoi, July 26, 2024, to say
their farewells.
Biography
Comrade Trong was born on April 14, 1944 in Hanoi. He joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1967 and was a member of the Party's Central Committee and of the Politburo and served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam over three terms from 2011 to the time of his passing. He also served as Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 2016-2021.
Comrade Trong also served terms as Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council; Secretary of the Central Military Commission, member of the Standing Board of the Central Public Security Party Committee, head of the Central Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena.
The Communist Party of Vietnam noted that: "Throughout his 60 years of work, he has made great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation" and in recognition he received many honours including the Gold Star Order, the highest honour that Vietnam can bestow on a citizen for outstanding contributions to the country. Comrade Trong's contributions were also recognized by other countries including, in 2012, the Order of José Martí from Cuba for his outstanding contribution to developing relations between the two countries and peoples.
(With files from Nhan Danh. Photos: Nhan Dan, VNA, Thanh Tra, Thant Dat, Din Tuan. )
Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) Pays Respects on Death of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong
On July 19, the day of the untimely death of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), Anna Di Carlo sent a letter to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to convey the condolences of the Party and its members at this great loss to the Vietnamese people.
In the letter, Anna Di Carlo noted:
"We have always been greatly inspired by Comrade Nguyen's contributions and example. Since a young age he devoted himself to making sure the Communist Party of Vietnam played its important leading role throughout all the trials and tribulations.
"Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong ably elaborated a program to transform Vietnam into a powerful and prosperous nation which knows how to weather this period of historical transition.
"This is a great feat achieved because he has stood steadfast in leading the Communist Party to put the well-being of the Vietnamese people in first place such that Vietnam is respected worldwide for always standing up for the justice of its cause and the cause of humanity itself.
"We express our confidence that the great party of the historic leader Ho Chi Minh, following the recent example of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, will continue to lead the Vietnamese people by turning their grief at his great loss into strength."
Party Delegation Pays Its Respects
On July 26, a high-level delegation from CPC (M-L) visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa to pay its respects. The delegation was received by His Excellency Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang. In the Book of Condolence, the Party wrote in part: "Comrade Nguyen steered Vietnam as part of one world, always defending the independence of Vietnam, enhancing the well-being of the people and upholding the principles we all hold dear of peace, freedom and democracy. With deepest respects we will fight together to open humanity's path to progress."
Letter of Condolence from
Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society to Vietnam Union of
Friendship Associations
Below is the text of the letter sent by the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society to the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
It is with profound sorrow and sympathy that the Canada Vietnam Friendship Society expresses its sincere condolences to the people of Vietnam on the death of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. We share the sadness and grief of the Vietnamese people on this moment of great loss.
Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong dedicated his life to making sure the Vietnamese people prospered. He paid first-rate attention to their needs, desires and happiness by safeguarding the sovereignty, independence and prestige of Vietnam. The People's Socialist Republic of Vietnam today stands tall and proud on the world stage as an example and champion of relations based on mutual respect, friendship and the principles which are crucial to maintain the international rule of law.
The deluge of heartfelt messages of condolence from friends, revolutionary forces and personalities worldwide, as well as from government and state leaders and international bodies are testimony to the high regard enjoyed by Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong internationally and to the prestige and respect that his leadership brought to the Party, the people and especially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Canadian people treasure their friendship with the Vietnamese people and will safeguard it like the apple of their eye. We are confident that the people of Vietnam will turn their grief into strength and continue to march forward as a sovereign, independent, socialist nation on the path charted by the internationally renowned leader Ho Chi Minh and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who dedicated all his life to the Party, his people and his country.
May the
friendship between the Canadian and Vietnamese people continue to
deepen and thrive.
With our deepest sympathies.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong Leaves a Strong Mark on National Development
General Secretary Nguyen
Phu Trong speaks at the 13th Party Congress, January 25 - February 1,
2021.
The passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong causes deep grief for the entire Party, armed forces and people. He was one of the Party and State's most outstanding leaders. During more than 13 years as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he has remained steadfast in the Party's reform policy, independence and self-reliance policy. He was at the helm and led the country, along with the Party, to overcome numerous challenges and record impressive achievements in all fields.
While working alongside the Politburo and the Central Committee to promote the building and fine-tuning of socialist-oriented market institutions, he saw the risk of deterioration in the Party and State apparatus and directly oversaw the fight against corruption and negative phenomena to clean up the internal apparatus and safeguard the fruits of development.
History will judge the contributions and legacy of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. During these sad days, as a person who has been working closely with him for more than ten years, I'd like to highlight some of the most profound impressions of him.
As a Party theorist, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made great efforts to apply Marxism-Leninism and the Ho Chi Minh Ideology to Vietnamese reality. After the Soviet Union and the socialist system in East Europe collapsed, the theory of building socialism in Vietnam faced many challenges. Therefore, he directed the Party's theoretical agencies based on the country's reality and the international situation, to perfect the theory of building socialism on the foundation of the Doi Moi reform launched by the Party in 1986. He also published many important theoretical works on this issue.
Building socialist-oriented market economic institutions must first have a full market economy. The socialist orientation is using the State's resources to ensure that the economy is strong enough to cope with crisis risks, eliminating the manipulation of "group interests" and ensuring equal opportunities for all subjects of the economy. This ensures enjoying policies, accessing national resources, and the best social security for the people, with priority given to the disadvantaged sectors.
Socialist orientation is mainly implemented using market tools and social security policies, not non-market intervention in the economic operation. Vietnamese Party fully affirmed this viewpoint when Nguyen Phu Trong was General Secretary. Currently, 72 countries recognise that Vietnam has a market economy, including all ASEAN countries and large market economies, such as Japan, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Party General Secretary
Nguyen Phu Trong's book titled “Some theoretical and
practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in
Vietnam.”
Building a Socialist Rule-of-Law State
For the first time, the Vietnamese Party determined that "The Vietnamese State is a socialist rule-of-law state," in the Platform for National Construction in the period of transition to socialism (amended and further developed in 2011) at the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party (January 2011), which decided to appoint Nguyen Phu Trong as General Secretary for the first time. Also during the time that Nguyen Phu Trong was General Secretary, the socialist rule-of-law State was written into the 2013 Constitution. The Constitution also stipulates human rights and civil rights for the first time, stipulating that "Human rights and citizens' rights may not be limited unless prescribed by a law, solely in case of necessity for reasons of national defence, national security, social order and safety, social morality and community well-being." (Clause 2, Article 14).
On behalf of the Party Central Committee, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong signed Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW on "continuing to build and perfect the law-governed socialist Vietnamese state in the new period" on November 9, 2022, after it was approved at the 6th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee. This was considered a "key task in innovating the political system" while "respect for the Constitution and the law becomes the standard of conduct for all subjects in the society." This resolution needs time to be legislated and brought into life.
At the 13th Party Congress (January 25, 2021 - February 2, 2021), General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed: "Our country has never had such opportunity, potential, position, nor international prestige as it does today." That statement is completely correct.
The results of implementing the 10-year socio-economic strategy for the 2011-2020 period proposed at the 11th Party Congress raised the scale of the economy by 2.4 times, whereby the scale in 2020 was 1.4 times higher than that of 2015. Vietnam ranks 35th among the 40 largest economies in the world and is one of the 16 most successful emerging economies in the world. The economic growth rate was high, and Vietnam was among the 10 countries with the highest economic growth rates in the world in the 2016-2019 period. The process of hunger eradication and poverty reduction has achieved spectacular achievements. In the last five years of the strategy, the poverty rate decreased from 9.88 per cent in 2015 to 2.75 per cent in 2020.
According to the World Bank, universal health care in Vietnam has made progress while living standards have been increasingly improving. The universal health care coverage index is 73 (out of 100), higher than the regional average and the world average. Vietnam's average number of years of schooling is 10.2 years, ranking second in the region, only behind Singapore. Vietnam's human capital index is 0.69 out of a maximum of one, ranking highest among economies with the same income level. People's access to infrastructure has been significantly improved. As of 2019, 99.4 per cent of the population are using electricity for lighting, compared to 14 per cent in 1993.
During the 2016-2019 period, Vietnam was among the 10 countries with the highest economic growth rates in the world.
With its international position and reputation, Vietnam has established comprehensive partnerships with 12 countries and strategic partnerships with 18 countries, of which seven countries are comprehensive strategic partners. Most of these partnerships were established during the period when Nguyen Phu Trong was General Secretary. Of the seven comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam, excluding that established with China in 2008, six partners were established during the time Nguyen Phu Trong was General Secretary.
The Vietnamese economy has been integrating more and more deeply into the global economy. Of the 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed and are currently in effect, half of the FTAs, of which all five new generation FTAs, were signed during the period of Nguyen Phu Trong serving as General Secretary.
FTAs, especially the new generation FTAs, have not only strongly promoted free trade and positively impacted economic growth, but their very high integration commitments have promoted and shortened the completion of the system. The legal system is compatible with the market mechanism, quickly building and perfecting the institutions of a socialist-oriented market economy.
General Secretary Nguyen
Phu Trong visited Sen Cha Tea Factory of Tam Duong Tea Development and
Investment Joint Stock Company in Ban Bo Commune, Tam Duong District,
Lai Chau Province.
The notable achievements that have driven the aforementioned strong development of the country are the collective efforts of the Politburo, the Party Central Committee, the Government, and the entire political system over many tenures. They are the inheritance and continuation of the achievements from the nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), with the significant role of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as the Party leader for over 13 years.
At the most recent Party Congress, I was assigned by the General Secretary to head the Sub-Committee on Socio-Economic Affairs. Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong fully supported new perspectives and provided sharp directives for the Sub-Committee to propose new policies, especially in building a socialist-oriented market economy and constructing a socialist rule-of-law state.
Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has also shown particular interest in cultural development. Notably, he chaired the National Cultural Conference on November 24, 2021. This conference was of historical significance, commemorating the 75th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh chairing the first National Cultural Conference (November 24, 1946). This conference summarised and drew lessons from the cultural development process over the nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal) and marked a turning point in cultural revival and development, meeting the comprehensive development requirements of the country in the new situation and bearing the strong imprint of Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong
joins people of Thuong Dien Village, Vinh Quang Commune, Vinh Bao
District at the Great National Unity Day of Hai Phong City, on November
15, 2017.
In the special communiqué on organising the national funeral for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, our Party and State acknowledged that "he has made great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation." As a close associate of the comrade, I believe that his contributions to promoting the renewal process in the country's development, marked by the milestones I mentioned, are the most significant imprints.
Nguyen Xuan Phuc is a former Politburo member, former Prime Minister, former President. Nhan Dan is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
(July 23, 2024. Photos: VNA, Vu Anh Tuan)
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong — Excellent Leader with Imprints in Vietnam's Diplomacy
Party General Secretary
Nguyen Phu Trong (centre) attends 32nd national conference on
foreign affairs.
With nearly 60 years of experience in revolutionary practice; a strategic, scientific, and dialectical vision; and sharp political insight, always closely linking theory with practical summaries, and creatively applying and developing Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has made crucial and outstanding contributions to building and perfecting the theory and platform of the Party on the country's socialist-oriented development, guidelines and policies of the Party and State in many fields from politics, economy -- society, defence, security to foreign affairs, Son wrote.
The contributions of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in terms of thought and theory are reflected in the Party's leadership outlined in its resolutions, conclusions, and directives across fields.
These contributions are also reflected in his books and articles, which have been widely supported by Party members, people, and overseas Vietnamese; and highly regarded by scientific and theoretical research communities, and leaders of other countries.
These works have profound theoretical and practical values regarding socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam; the building of a clean and strong Party and a socialist rule-of-law State; military policies and defence strategies; the formation and development of Vietnam's comprehensive and modern foreign affairs and diplomacy imbued with the "Vietnamese bamboo" identity; the building of a modern culture deeply rooted in national identity; and the reinforcement of national great solidarity, according to the article.
Diplomacy is one of the areas that bears many prominent imprints of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong. Under his leadership and direction as the General Secretary, the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Party Central Committee's Secretariat have issued numerous resolutions, conclusions, and directives on building and perfecting the Party's and State's foreign policy during the renewal period.
It can be said that Vietnam's diplomacy imbued with the "Vietnamese bamboo" identity, which General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong frequently mentioned in his articles and speeches on foreign affairs, is the most comprehensive and complete reflection of the core and consistent contents regarding the philosophy, identity, viewpoints, thoughts, guiding principles, basic tasks, and implementation methods of Vietnam's foreign policy and diplomacy based on the cultural identity and national characters of the Vietnamese people, shaped after thousands of years of national construction and protection.
For the first time in the history of Vietnam's foreign relations, a national conference on external affairs was held in the 13th term of the Party. The Party leader also authored a book on the building and development of Vietnam's diplomacy deeply imbued with the characteristics of "Vietnamese bamboo," reflecting his intellectual contributions to developing the thought and theory, and perfecting the Party's foreign policy.
Under the leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Party Central Committee's Secretariat headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the foreign affairs of the Party and State achieved many important results and historical accomplishments, becoming an impressive highlight among the overall achievements and successes of the country.
One of the diplomatic "legacies" bearing the imprints of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is that the country's foreign policy has not only been kept stable to support national development amid significant and complex global changes but has also been elevated to a new level with improved quality, new strategic contents, higher political reliability, and more practical and effective cooperation in relations with neighbouring countries, powers, key partners, and traditional friends; as well as Vietnam's new reputation and position on both bilateral and multilateral aspects, the minister wrote.
According to the article, the General Secretary always left a good impression on international partners and friends of Vietnam that is dynamic, rich in culture and amicable; upholds justice and righteousness; respects international law; and behaves reasonably and compassionately. Vietnam is seen as a faithful friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is regarded as a sincere, close, and simple leader with great prestige, far-sighted vision, sharp thinking, and exemplary behaviour.
In addition to the national conference on foreign affairs in December 2021, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended and delivered guiding speeches at six diplomatic conferences, including five times in his position as the Party General Secretary. He especially paid attention to directing the development of the diplomatic sector's staff with comprehensive qualifications, mettle, morality, and professional competence.
The diplomatic sector's staff will always remember and thoroughly grasp the advice of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong that "A good diplomat and a skilled activist in foreign affairs must first be a good politician, always taking the interests of the nation, the people, and the regime as the guiding principle in their actions," and "always remember that behind them are the Party, the country, and the people," the article wrote.
Son also showed his admiration for the excellent Party leader, stressing that comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is a symbol of the noble qualities of Vietnamese culture and personality of Vietnamese people.
The Party chief continually studied and followed President Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and lifestyle, upheld a resilient yet friendly spirit, treasured relations and righteousness, and heightened consensus and solidarity within the Party, the people, and the international community, Son wrote.
All these factors have contributed to the qualifications and stature of an intellectual and resilient leader with great prestige within the Party, the State, and among the people, who is esteemed by international friends, he underlined.
Bui Thanh Son is a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(July 23, 2024. Photo: VNA)
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