How do you evaluate the content regarding "the happiness of the people" that has become the highlight of the document at the 13th National Party Congress amid the COVID-19 pandemic upsetting lives and interfering with the peace of many people?
"The happiness of the people" is one of the labels contained in the Draft Political Report by the 12th Party Central Committee and submitted to the 13th National Party Congress.
Because the more "the happiness of the people" is integrated into the history of the world and the country in 2020, the more expressive, concise, shining and meaningful the statement becomes, not only in terms of politics and economics, but more profoundly, in the sedimentation and development of a new level in the social, cultural and humanistic aspects of Vietnam. Looking further, it is the order of comprehensive and synchronous renovation in the vision not only by 2025 or 2030 but also by 2045, under the Party's flag. With a closer look, that is also the continuation of the century-long goal of Vietnam since 1930, when the Communist Party of Vietnam was born!
Remembering President Ho Chi Minh's advice: “The Party is not an organisation for those who want to be mandarins and gain benefits. It must fulfil the task of national liberation, making the Fatherland rich and strong, and the people happy;” and "In addition to the interests of the nation and the Fatherland, the Party has no other interests", the more we see the pride sparkling in such labels, but it remains also a great challenge and historic responsibility of our Party, as "the representative descendant of the Vietnamese working class", towards our people.
By the end of 2020, the world was sinking in the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to unusual difficulties. One direct and immediate consequence was that the world economy has fallen into a deep and comprehensive crisis – something unprecedented in the past half century –into the mud of stagnation and depression while the risk of societal rupture exists in many countries. But, among 210 countries and territories, in 2020, Vietnam was one of the 10 countries in the world with the highest GDP growth rate, one of the 16 most successful emerging economies. With regard to humanity, the COVID-19 epidemic broke out, raged and devastated globally. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the total number of infections so far is only 1,451, with 95 under treatment and 1,318 recoveries, while the death toll stands at only 35. All over the planet, everyone has the same desire and dream: the world quickly overcoming the pandemic and back to normal!
The "happiness of the people" that we pursue, strive for and even sacrifice, is natural and simple.
What do you think about happiness, an important element in the motto placed under Vietnam’s official name : "Independence - Freedom - Happiness"? From that point of view, how do you comment on the fact that many provincial and municipal Party Committees have included the criteria of people's happiness in their political reports, which measure happiness through the criteria of satisfaction about life, environment, social welfare and public services?
I think happiness is harmony among individuals, society and the environment, for the sustainable development of each individual, society and of the environment. In other words, happiness is harmony and development. And, when placing happiness in the motto under Vietnam’s official name: "Independence - Freedom - Happiness", the more we see a holistic combination: independent nation - civil rights and freedom - people with happiness, that the Vietnamese nation has steadfastly acted, even sacrificed to reach, retain and develop over the past 75 years. Remembering on July 17, 1966, President Ho Chi Minh saying: "There is nothing more precious than independence and freedom", the more we see the issue of happiness we are discussing, really it is clear how bright, natural, gentle, and close the Vietnamese truth is.
The country must be independent – it is a sacred national right that no one, no force can contaminate and invade upon. But in an independent country, the people must enjoy freedom naturally and inevitably. Because, if the country is independent and the people do not enjoy happiness and freedom, independence does not mean anything, as President Ho Chi Minh affirmed on October 17, 1945.
Over the past 75 years, the proposition of happiness has completed a whole nation's motto: Independence - Freedom - Happiness. It is the premise, the goal, the driving force and the legitimate path of development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to build a mighty Vietnam with the goal of "a Rich people, strong country, democracy, justice and civilisation".
In 2020, we saw that many Provincial and Municipal Party Committees included the criteria of people's happiness in their political reports as submitted to the National Party Congress, which measure happiness through the criteria of satisfaction about life, the environment, social welfare and public services. It is indispensable, because it is a factor and driving force for comprehensive, strong and durable development.
To realise the country's development vision and goals by the mid-21st century, the human factor will play a decisive role. In your opinion, how do we build an elite team to lead and promote the nation's development in the coming decades? What qualities do they need and how does the personnel work serve as the “top issue among the key stages" - (as Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong says) with a need to innovate and attract such talented people to meet the requirements of progress?
Our ancestors said: For the interest in one year, we plant rice; for ten years, plant trees; and for one hundred years, we nurture people!
The historical reality in the past 90 years, especially during the 75 years of the Party's rule, is it evident that: After having the right political direction, a decisive factor for the success of such direction is the cadres, first of all, the contingent of managers at all levels and the corresponding organisational apparatus. Especially during the renovation process over the past 35 years, we need to continue to innovate and make breakthroughs in order to build a contingent of leaders at Party committee, agency and enterprise levels to take on the ruling responsibility of the Party in leading the country. This is one of the basic factors that makes the national brand a key breakthrough and a meaningful success. As the political approach must be implemented directly and first of all by a contingent of worthy leaders, with a new style of thinking about the ruling Party, about the strategies for national development, and about the movement and development trends of the world today.
The position and role of leading the country is difficult to replace, and belongs only to an elite team. This contingent of Party officials and members must include the most elite members of the nation, representing true national strength. Party committees, government agencies and business boards at all levels must be elite agencies of the Party, the State and the nation, while they are also the environment for the training and nurturing of talent. On the other hand, it is necessary to accelerate the intellectualisation and rejuvenation of all contingents of Party cadres and members – a decisive factor that directly supplements quality and creates resources for Party rule, State governance and enterprise management. It is important to continue to regulate and build a contingent of strategic, elite and loyal staff with an extended sense of vision who are typical examples of political personality, culture and integrity. This is the root that ensures the strength and prestige of the Party, an important factor determining the success of the Party's current and future work, as well as deciding success in national leadership and development, or in a broader manner, the development of the country's position, strength and reputation.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a national talent development strategy, at least in terms of the vision to 2030 and beyond, by 2045, to ensure compatibility with national development strategy.
Accordingly, first of all, in terms of thinking and attitude, it is necessary to understand that: Talent does not wait to mature. Regardless of who they are, if they are willing to serve the honour and might of Vietnam, for the happiness of the people and the longevity and development of the Vietnamese people, all must be respectfully admitted and appointed to important posts.
Second, in terms of mechanism, it is necessary to open all doors and amend the ways of "recruiting and treating well all talent", so that talent in the country and from abroad converge in Vietnam, as well as screening, checking and monitoring officials periodically and regularly according to regulation, law and people's confidence.
Third, in terms of institutions, we must definitely reward and punish strictly, while promoting democracy associated with the responsibility of attracting and appointing talent, especially in nomination and self-nomination.
Finally, for those who are in charge of personnel work and recruiting talent, it is necessary to have vision, honesty, courage, responsibility and integrity.
Whether the nation develops into a success or not, whether the people raise their heads or follow others or not, a fundamental part of this lies in studying and demanding the appreciation of talent!
Thank you very much!
