On the occasion of the 13th National Party Congress, Nguyen Quang Truong wrote an article highlighting Vietnam’s remarkable achievements as well as the significant role of the CPV in the process of national construction, defence and development. Nhan Dan Online introduces the full-text as follows:
When I had just returned home, I was surprised when I saw in the newspapers and through stories, people mentioning “our Party” and “the will of the Party, the heart of the people”. Gradually through social contact, through photo reports recorded on the road, I realized that those concepts were mentioned with confidence and love by people in all parts of the country. What I have realised is that in Vietnam, the CPV is always attached to the people and for the people, and the people always trust in and follow the Party. It must be the result of a long process of sticking together, something that I have never known for decades in the US. And in 2020, as a Vietnamese-American journalist, I was present in Vietnam during the difficult days, having witnessed with my own eyes many events, through which I feel the great role of the CPV with regards to the society, people, as well as the nation’s feelings and beliefs about “our Party”.
In 2019, I visited many places. Having been in contact with many former political prisoners, going to Con Dao, Phu Quoc - places that were once dubbed “Hell on Earth”, I now know how generations of communist party members sacrificed for national independence and reunification. In 2020, after Vietnam controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, I continuously went from north to south, from the east, the northwest, to the central and southern regions. During those trips, I witnessed many examples of Party members who cared for the people, for the country, in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, in flood prevention and search and rescue. I still remember, on March 30, 2020, while in Yen Bai, I was shown the image of Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on television calling on his fellow citizens, comrades and soldiers nationwide and Vietnamese people living and working abroad to unite with one heart, unify their will and action, drastically and effectively implement all the Party’s and State’s guidelines and directions as well as the administration of the Government to ensure a victory over the COVID-19 pandemic. The appeal made by the leader of the Party and State was like an order that aroused the affection of not only the people in the country, but also the Vietnamese who are far away from the homeland, the geographical distance seeming to shrink..
The whole political system from the central to local levels, health officials, the military force, the police force, ... along with the entire population quickly joined in. Through the media, I witnessed the scene of the entire Vietnamese people acting on the call of the Party and State with a very high sense of civic responsibility. It was the first time I learned about monitoring and blockade measures in some areas where infected people live, mandatory 14-day isolation for all upon entry, and many forms of necessary, direct recommendations. Avariety of prevention and treatment strategies were deployed byeach family. From remote areas, villages, hamlets, to every district, province and city all strictly abided by, everyone reminded each other to strictly comply with the regulations. Meanwhile, my family in the US were suffering as the epidemic has turned into a nightmare and it is as yet unknown when we can escape it. Not only my relatives, but also many brothers and friends of mine also wish to return to Vietnam because, according to them, the homeland is the safest place in the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only controlling the epidemic in the country, the Party and State of Vietnam also showed international friendship, furnishing items such as masks, medical supplies and antibacterial fabrics made in Vietnam to several countries around the world. These timely and humane gifts expressed the mutual care and made a good impression, helping Vietnam and other countries strengthen their trust, implement cooperation across bilateral or multilateral frameworks to deal with a pandemic.
From what I have witnessed, I think the correct, timely and drastic policy of the Party and the Government, together with the absolute spirit of cooperation of the people, helped control the pandemic. The initial victory in the prevention and fight against the COVID-19 epidemic affirms the policy of the CPV in resolutely protecting people's lives. “Do not let anyone be left behind”, that is a sentence I have heard, witnessed with my own eyes and expressed through the daily measures. I was touched to know that although the country still had many difficulties, rescue flights were still organised. These were flights showing appreciation for the lives of citizens being placed on top by the Party and State. So far, Vietnam has welcomed more than 75,000 Vietnamese safely back home. This is the result of an excellent citizen protection policy, an extremely valuable humanitarian point for Vietnamese nationals. These difficult jobs have helped theVietnamese people believe even more in the leadership of “our Party”. During this time, I have had many opportunities to meet with a number of foreigners living and working in Vietnam. They all said that they were solucky to be in Vietnam in the midst of the pandemic. Inprevious years, a number of people seemed to prefer foreign to local, but at the moment, when struggling with the pandemic, when storms and floods passed, they had a new awareness of the country’s position under the wise, humane and talented leadership of the Party and State.
In 2020, in addition to the COVID-19 epidemic, Vietnamalso suffered from 13 storms in the East Sea (South China Sea); 264 thunderstorms, tornadoes and heavy rains in 49 provinces and cities. The central region was hardest hit, in October 2020, it suffered from historic floods. Storms, droughts, riverbank coastlines, and subsidence landslides, severe saltwater intrusion, are all sad stories, but they happened in Vietnam. Despite numerous difficulties and challenges, with a high sense of responsibility, the whole political system and all the people in the country and abroad unanimously joined in the programme “Towards the beloved Central region”. On my way to the Centralregion, I witnessed the effectiveness of the “four on-the-spot motto” (leadership, human resources, means and logistics on-the-spot) with the selfless sacrifice of all forces from central to local level. Many domestic organisations, businesses and individuals, through the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, contributed resources to promptly support people in the Central region. In the most difficult circumstances, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc immediately requested the replacement of Decree No.64/2008/ND-CP to create easier conditions for donors to contribute, join hands with the Party and the State to help and support people in the Central region. On November 13, 2020, I was present in Quang Binh. In the midst of wind gusts from level 7 to level 8, causing heavy damage to people, houses, roads, ships, boats, I witnessed, heard, and felt the difficulty of people as they have to deal with the harshness of nature. Wherever I go, I hear people expressing their gratitude to the Party and State, and donors. In Quang Tri, I was allowed to visit, encourage, present gifts, and hear about the sacrifices of the party members, police officers, soldiers, youth union members in rescue work. Offering incense in front of the altar of martyr Major General Nguyen Van Man who sacrificed in Rao Trang on October 13, 2020, martyr Captain Truong Van Thang who passed away in Quang Tri on October 17, 2020, I better understood about martyr Party members who sacrificed themselves for the people. Policies to acknowledge, commemorate and compensate for the loss of martyrs' families, have strengthened and increased confidence, enhanced the responsibility of cadres and soldiers in performing their duties. I think if anyone asks what is the basis for Vietnam overcoming two “wars” against the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, I will not hesitate to answer: The entire Party, people, and army held hands, trusted and united with one heart to overcome challenges. For my part, after social distancing was eased, I travelled to many places. I was free to interview, to visit every family and every citizen. Thanks to that, my Vietnam Today channel has mobilised more than VND2 billion to help prevent and combat the COVID-19 pandemic and support the people of the Central region. This is the amount of money contributed by the audience, with a desire to contribute to Vietnam Today to help the people overcome difficulties and soon stabilise their lives.
Stories like these in 2020 have brought to the world positive impressions about Vietnam, where human rights are guaranteed, where everyone is cared for and protected by the Party and State. Through its practical ways and actions, the CPV has demonstrated to the people and international friends its ingenious leadership ability, overcoming extremely difficult times to help Vietnam become a country with a stable political system and developing economy, consistent with the aspirations of the people. The world assesses that Vietnam is on the right track, the Vietnamese “ship” piloted by the CPV has been jointly supported by hundreds of millions of Vietnamese inside and outside the country. As a Vietnamese-American journalist, I am proud to live and work here, to be able to travel to all places in Vietnam. From the reality of the lives of the people that I have come into contact with and recorded, I completely believe in the success of the 13th National Party Congress. And “our Party”, “the will of the Party, the heart of the people” will continue to be a great resource for Vietnam to further stabilise and develop.
