This process involves transforming the values, characteristics, and objectives of socialism into development, governance, and public service criteria that can be measured, evaluated, and verified in practice.
During a working session with the Standing Board of the Ha Noi Party Committee on March 30, 2026, General Secretary To Lam proposed studying and piloting the establishment of a socialist commune or ward. In this spirit, a socialist commune or ward is not a new administrative level, nor does it represent a change to the current political model or economic mechanism. It is a local governance model aimed at realising the core values of the socialist regime at the grassroots level.
Although the policy is still under study and implementation, with several localities such as Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Lao Cai developing pilot projects, hostile forces have exploited the issue to spread a large amount of misleading information. Current distorted narratives mainly focus on the following five points:
First, they claim that the policy of building socialist communes and wards is based on wishful thinking and lacks practical foundations, deliberately separating it from the country's process of reform and development.
More than 40 years of reform have shown that most of Viet Nam’s institutional and policy breakthroughs were developed through pilot programmes, practical reviews, refinement, and dissemination. From Contract 100 (1981) and Contract 10 (1988) in agriculture to administrative reform, the restructuring of state-owned enterprises, and the development of e-government and national digital transformation, all have followed this logic. No sustainable reform is created from subjective intentions, and no success can be separated from practical realities.
In particular, the policy of building socialist communes and wards is the next stage of development based on achievements and experiences already proven in practice, such as the new rural development programme, advanced new rural development, model new rural areas, civilised urban wards, and other modern grassroots governance models. The pilot programme aims to elevate and integrate objectives in economic, cultural, social, defence, security, digital transformation, and local governance development in line with socialist principles. At the same time, the policy arises from the need to further develop theoretical understanding of socialism and the path towards socialism in Viet Nam.
Second, the distortion of the construction of socialist communes and wards as a return to the subsidy mechanism is a deliberate tactic of conceptual manipulation, intentionally equating the concept of "socialism" with the previous bureaucratic, centrally planned, subsidised mechanism in order to create a false perception in society.
The reform process has clearly affirmed that Viet Nam is developing a socialist-oriented market economy, and this remains a long-term and strategic choice. In this context, building socialist communes and wards is not intended to change the existing economic model but rather to improve the quality of local governance, enhance effectiveness of public services, and strengthen the capacity to implement policies at the grassroots level. Therefore, any claim of a “return to the subsidy mechanism” lacks both scientific and practical foundations.
Third, some equate the socialist commune and ward model with restrictions on democracy and human rights. This is a familiar argument used by hostile, reactionary, and politically opportunistic forces that seek to create a false opposition between state management and democracy, and between the rule of law and human rights.
The Party and State of Viet Nam have always consistently maintained the viewpoint of promoting socialist democracy, ensuring human rights and citizens' rights while strengthening the rule of law and building a socialist rule-of-law state. Grassroots democratic mechanisms, administrative reforms, transparency in public administration, digital transformation, and online public services all aim to expand the people’s genuine rights. The socialist commune and ward model aims to build a grassroots government that is open, transparent, effective, and efficient; place citizens at the centre of public service; and enable people to participate in management, supervision, and the enjoyment of development outcomes.
Fourth, some exploit initial difficulties and challenges to claim that the policy has failed and should be abandoned.
It should be recognised that all reforms must go through practical implementation before shortcomings and obstacles can be identified and addressed through improved mechanisms and policies. Conducting pilot programmes before wider implementation is a scientific approach that allows authorities to assess the suitability of the model, identify emerging issues, and make timely adjustments. Therefore, using initial difficulties to negate the entire policy is a one-sided, biased approach with subversive motives.
Fifth, some argue that building socialist communes and wards is merely a movement, a formality, or a pursuit of achievements. Such claims dismiss the efforts made in recent years to modernise national governance and improve public services. Alongside reform and international integration, governance thinking in Viet Nam has increasingly shifted from command-and-control administration towards management based on results and practical effectiveness.
The value of the socialist commune and ward model does not lie in its name or slogans but in the quality of local governance, the level of public satisfaction, the effectiveness of social welfare, the quality of the living environment, digital transformation capacity, and the potential for sustainable development.
The value of the socialist commune and ward model does not lie in its name or slogans but in the quality of local governance, the level of public satisfaction, the effectiveness of social welfare, the quality of the living environment, digital transformation capacity, and the potential for sustainable development. Therefore, describing the model as a “campaign”, “formality”, or “achievement-driven exercise” effectively denies the modern governance trend that measures success through the quality of services delivered to the people.
Ultimately, distorted narratives surrounding the pilot policy of building socialist communes and wards are aimed at rejecting the Party’s ideological foundation, denying the path towards socialism, misrepresenting the true nature of the issue, dismissing the country’s development achievements, and fostering doubt within society. Therefore, it is necessary to proactively identify and refute incorrect and hostile viewpoints with scientific arguments, sound theory, and objective practical evidence.
At the same time, efforts should focus on implementing the policy effectively, establishing a clear system of criteria, ensuring openness and transparency throughout the process, and delivering tangible improvements in local governance and people’s lives. The practical development and tangible benefits brought to the people will be the most objective measure to affirm the value and vitality of the policy, refuting all distorted and subversive arguments.
