In the context of the information explosion and the strong development of cyberspace, this fight is becoming increasingly fierce and complicated. Besides improving theoretical understanding and maintaining political steadfastness, it is crucial to correctly apply revolutionary methods. Historical practice shows that correct goals can only be achieved when implemented using the right methods, and it is precisely because of the correct revolutionary methods that the Party has led the people to shepherd the revolutionary cause from one victory to another.
Marxism-Leninism affirms that revolution is the undertaking of the masses. For a revolution to succeed, it is necessary to gather the broadest possible forces, win over those who can be won over, educate those with limited understanding, and isolate the stubborn few who resist. President Ho Chi Minh and the Party creatively applied this principle throughout the process of leading the Vietnamese revolution, creating the strength of the great national unity, thereby securing the great victory of the fight for national liberation.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh always regarded unity as the source of victory. He instructed: “Unity, unity, great unity; success, success, great success.” In his Testament, he requested: “We must safeguard the unity and solidarity of the Party as carefully as we safeguard the pupil of our eye”. This was not only a requirement regarding organisation but also a requirement regarding leadership methods and conduct in all revolutionary activities.
This idea is also profoundly expressed in his work “Correcting Working Methods”, where he emphasised that criticism must endeavour to help each other progress and must be based on comradely love and affection. Criticism is for correcting shortcomings and strengthening unity, not for lowering prestige or denying human dignity. This is also the humanistic spirit of the national tradition, encapsulated in the familiar saying: “To err is human, to forgive, divine”.
The Party has continued to assimilate and expand upon that ideology in the work of Party building and rectification. Resolution No. 4 of the 12th Party Central Committee and Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW of the 13th Central Committee both affirm the need for a close combination of “construction” and “combat”; in which, “construction” is the fundamental task, the strategic and long-term goal; “combat” must be resolute, persistent, regular, and effective. This affirms that the goal of the struggle is not only to handle violations but also to prevent, educate, influence, and strengthen trust.
Looking at current practice, it is evident that a large number of cadres, Party members, and the people have vigorously participated in protecting the Party’s ideological foundation and refuting erroneous and hostile viewpoints. This is a vivid manifestation of political responsibility and patriotism.
However, it should also be noted that the methods of struggle in some cases still need further improvement. Some people receive unverified information but hastily share or comment on it; some use inappropriate and unconstructive language; and in some cases, they make accusations before the conclusion of the competent authority. Such practices not only diminish the persuasiveness of arguments but can also harm unity and even inadvertently create opportunities for hostile forces to distort the truth and incite unrest.
Ideological struggle is first and foremost a struggle for truth. Truth must be defended by facts, scientific reasoning, legal grounds, and cultural conduct. Emotions cannot replace evidence, and accusations cannot replace the conclusions of competent organisations.
Furthermore, it is crucial to correctly identify and differentiate targets. Those who deliberately oppose the Party and the State, and harm national and ethnic interests, must be resolutely fought against and prosecuted according to the law. However, for those who, due to lack of information or incomplete understanding, unintentionally spread misinformation, persistent explanation and persuasion are necessary to help them understand the true nature of the issue.
For those who have recognised their shortcomings, are receptive to feedback, and proactively correct their mistakes, their positive transformation should be acknowledged, and they should be encouraged to avoid further errors and continue contributing to society. This kind of approach fully demonstrates the humane nature and persuasive power of the system.
In the struggle to refute erroneous viewpoints, the principles of objectivity and comprehensiveness must also be upheld. Refuting an erroneous viewpoint does not mean invalidating the entire person; criticising a work does not mean invalidating the entire author. All evaluations must be based on evidence, legal regulations, and the conclusions of competent authorities. This is also a requirement of the socialist rule of law that we are building.
The history of the Vietnamese revolution has proven that every victory stems from knowing how to marshal forces, how to unite, how to differentiate targets, and how to win over people. In the new context, this lesson remains just as valuable. Protecting the Party’s ideological foundation requires not only firm political resolve but also the right methods: resolute in principle but flexible in conduct; steadfast in stance but highly persuasive; fighting with reason, evidence, and law; aiming at education and persuasion, and drawing strength from national unity.
This is precisely the creative application of the Party’s revolutionary methods and Ho Chi Minh Thought to the fight against “peaceful evolution”, preventing and combating “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” in the current period; contributing to building a clean and strong Party, consolidating the people’s trust, and strengthening the power of national unity in the cause of building and firmly defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
