A lifetime of dedication: Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong's legacy of service and integrity

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – a dedicated communist soldier, exceptional leader and person of great intellect, courage and compassion – passed away on Friday.

At 80 years old, with nearly 57 years of Party membership, 14 years as General Secretary, more than two years as President and over five years as National Assembly Chairman, Nguyen Phu Trong consistently devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Alongside the Central Committee and the Government, he led the entire Party, the people, and the armed forces to achieve many significant and historic accomplishments.

A lifetime of struggle and sacrifice for revolutionary cause

Nguyen Phu Trong was born on April 14, 1944, in Dong Hoi commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi. He joined the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on December 19, 1967, and became an official member a year later.

Since then, Trong has been highly conscious of self-improvement and training with a steadfast and beautiful orientation, often quoting lines from poems and songs that he cherished: “If you are a flower, be a sunflower; if you are a bird, be a white dove; if you are a stone, be a diamond; if you are a person, be a communist” and "Even with a second or a minute left, I will continue to fight without giving up."

For 57 years, he stood firm in the ranks of the Communist Party of Vietnam, remaining absolutely loyal to the Party, the Fatherland, and the People. In all circumstances, he demonstrated the intellect and bravery of a resilient communist, steadfast in Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, aiming for national independence and socialism. Trong maintained, promoted, and spread the pure revolutionary ethics, the pioneering, exemplary nature, and continuously studied, trained and closely connected with the grassroots and the people.

Significant contributions across various important positions

Nguyen Phu Trong held many important positions entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People, including member of the Party Central Committee (from the 7th to the 13th tenure), member of the Politburo (from the 8th to the 13th tenure), General Secretary (from the 11th to the 13th tenure), President (from October 2018 to April 2021), Chairman of the National Assembly (the 11th and 12th tenures), Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Review, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council.

He made significant and crucial contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, especially in the period of renewal, building, and defending the Fatherland. Over the last three terms, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made substantial contributions to national development, especially during the period of accelerating industrialization, modernization, international integration, and implementing the strategy of national defence in the new situation.

Internationally, Trong’s anti-corruption efforts have garnered commendation and support. His initiatives have enhanced Vietnam’s global standing, showcasing the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and fostering a conducive environment for foreign investment. The transparency and predictability engendered by his policies have made Vietnam an attractive destination for international businesses, further bolstering the nation’s economic growth.

Despite his high positions, Party chief Trong remained humble, simple, and sincere. In his speech when receiving the 55-year Party membership badge, he modestly stated: “Everything I have done is insignificant compared to the education and training of the Party; the guidance of the previous Party members; the cooperation and support of comrades and colleagues; and the encouragement and support of the people, particularly from the agencies where I studied, worked, and served.”

Outstanding theorist and scientist of the Party

As General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong demonstrated his role as a core leader, together with the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat, to build unity, consensus in will and action within the Party, and achieve high unanimity within the political system. He led the entire Party, the people, and the armed forces to overcome difficulties and challenges, achieving many important accomplishments across various fields, enhancing the country's potential, position, and international prestige.

Not only a talented leader, Trong was also an outstanding theorist and scientist. As the theoretical flag of the Party, he made significant theoretical contributions, including the research work "Some Theoretical and Practical Issues on Socialism and the Path to Socialism in Vietnam." Through rigorous arguments, deep analysis, and practical insights, he summarized the development history of contemporary world and Vietnam's revolution, scientifically affirming that the only correct path for the country's development is socialism.

He emphasized that the Vietnamese people had undergone a long, arduous, and sacrificial revolutionary struggle against colonial and imperial domination to protect national independence and sacred sovereignty for the freedom and happiness of the people. National independence associated with socialism is the fundamental, consistent policy of the Party, the principle of the Vietnamese revolution's success, and a key point in Ho Chi Minh's ideological legacy. Advancing to socialism is an objective requirement, the inevitable path to achieving freedom, prosperity, and happiness for the Vietnamese people.

Beyond this major theoretical work, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made many contributions to specialized theoretical fields. These include the books: “Vietnamese Culture Imbued with National Identity” (June 2024); "Resolutely, persistently fighting corruption and negative phenomena to contribute to building more transparent and stronger Party and State” (February 2023); “Several issues about military policy, national defense strategy in the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnam Fatherland in the new period”; "Promoting the tradition of great national unity, building a richer, stronger, more civilized, and happier country" (November 2023); "Building and developing a comprehensive, modern Vietnamese foreign policy and diplomacy, imbued with the identity of "Vietnamese bamboo" (November 2023).

These books by the Party chief received special attention and were highly appreciated by scholars, researchers, and the people, not only for their ideological value and content but also because of the author himself – a person of intellect and character who consistently upheld the goals and ideals chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the people.

Valuable lessons in fighting corruption and negative phenomena

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always deeply remembered Ho Chi Minh's words: “A nation, a party, and each individual, no matter how great and attractive they were yesterday, may not be loved and praised today and tomorrow if their hearts are not pure and if they fall into individualism.”

He understood that the Party must know how to correct itself and rely on the people to reform, and reform must start from the top. Thus, he directly took on the role of Commander-in-Chief (Head of the Steering Committee) of the “war” against corruption with an uncompromising spirit, stating that anyone who hesitates or refuses to act should step aside. This “war” created strong trust among the people.

As head of the Central Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena, with high political determination, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong led decisively, persistently, comprehensively, methodically and deeply, with breakthroughs linking anti-corruption and negative phenomena with Party building and political system reform. Many ideas, viewpoints, guiding principles, and action principles in fighting corruption and negative phenomena initiated and directed by the General Secretary have proven effective, affirmed through practice, and brought valuable lessons in both theory and practice.

This “war” was systematic and theoretical. Its theory was fundamentally reflected in the work "Resolutely, persistently fighting corruption and negative phenomena to contribute to building more transparent and stronger Party and State” (February 2023) by the General Secretary. This war had clear objectives and the decisive factor was the direct, tight, comprehensive and regular leadership of the Party; relying on the people and listening to the people. Particularly, the example of consistency between words and actions, persistent struggle without rest, and the unity between years of contemplation and specific actions in the fight against corruption and negative phenomena by the General Secretary.

The anti-corruption and negative phenomena work achieved many important results, creating strong changes in the awareness and actions of the entire political system, increasing the trust of officials, Party members, and the people in the Party, State and regime.

Among the most notable achievements of Trong's campaign is the handling of the Petrovietnam scandal. This case, involving top executives and government officials, epitomized the entrenched corruption within state-owned enterprises.

By addressing such high-profile cases head on, Trong demonstrated an unflinching commitment to dismantling the networks of corruption that hindered national development. Former Politburo member Dinh La Thang, for instance, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in mismanaging state resources.

Another significant case under Trong's anti-corruption drive was the trial of former Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Bac Son, and his deputy, Truong Minh Tuan. They were convicted for their involvement in the notorious Mobifone-AVG deal, a scandal where they received millions of dollars in bribes to facilitate the acquisition of a private television company at an inflated price, causing massive losses to the state budget. Both were handed lengthy prison sentences, highlighting the campaign's reach into the highest levels of government.

Trong's efforts have also extended to the banking sector, plagued by corruption and financial misconduct. The prosecution of high-profile bankers such as Pham Cong Danh, former chairman of Vietnam Construction Bank, and Ha Van Tham, former chairman of Ocean Bank, underscores his commitment to eradicating financial crimes. Their cases revealed extensive networks of fraudulent activities and embezzlement, leading to significant prison sentences and the recovery of substantial sums of money.

The practical evidence proves that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong fulfilled his mission as the country's top leader in protecting the nation's survival and development through two parallel paths: law and culture. Law represents the seriousness and civilization of a state, of a nation, while culture represents the soul and virtues of a people.

A leader who earned the people's trust and lived among the people

In any position, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always adhered to and exemplified the four virtues – "diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness" – taught by President Ho Chi Minh. Step by step, he matured and dedicated his entire life to the Party and the people.

At the same time, he consistently demanded that each agency, locality and cadre fully understand their responsibilities, wholeheartedly focus on the common good, and priorities the interests of the Party, the nation, and the people above all else. He emphasized that political, ethical, and lifestyle standards, particularly the effectiveness of their work and the reputation of themselves and their families, should be the primary measures of evaluation. He stressed the importance of using these criteria to accurately assess, select, and place cadres in the right positions, creating a cohesive, united and strong team.

People across the nation have always held deep respect and trust for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – a true communist, a talented leader who consistently aligned his words with actions, and who used the people's needs as his benchmark and ultimate goal. He was always close to the people, cared deeply for them, and had a profoundly compassionate heart.

When he received the 55-year Party membership badge on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Trong recalled lines from the famous work "How the Steel Was Tempered" by Soviet author Nikolai Alekseyevich Ostrovsky who wrote: "The most precious thing for a person is life and the honor of living because we only live once. Live so as not to regret wasted years or be ashamed of mean and cowardly actions that earn the people's contempt. So that when we die, we can say: All my life and all my strength were dedicated to the noblest cause in the world - the cause of fighting for national liberation, human liberation, and bringing happiness to the people." He also quoted, "Steel is forged in red fire and cold water, and it knows no fear!" and lines from poet To Huu: "Even with a second or a minute left, I will continue to fight without giving up!"

For his many great and outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, on July 18, 2024, the Politburo awarded General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong the Gold Star Order – the highest honor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.