Eighty-one years since the founding of the nation, eighty years since the promulgation of the first constitution, the ideology of a rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, as envisioned by President Ho Chi Minh, has been steadfastly inherited, continuously developed, and creatively applied by our Party to suit each stage of practical development, the domestic context, and the global situation.
This has helped the country achieve great accomplishments; the nation’s foundation and position are increasingly firmly established in the international arena; and the people's lives are constantly being improved and enhanced.
The motto “The people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people inspect, the people supervise, and the people benefit” is upheld and ensured. All policies and guidelines of the Party, and policies and laws of the state must be in line with the people’s will, for the benefit and happiness of the people.
This is not just a slogan or rhetoric, but is vividly demonstrated by compelling figures: Specifically, in the 2021-2025 period, Viet Nam’s average GDP growth is projected to reach approximately 6.3% per year, higher than the previous term. After 2021, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (only achieving a growth rate of 2.55%), the economy recovered strongly in the 2022-2025 period, averaging 7.2% per year.
In 2025, GDP growth reached 8.02%, placing Viet Nam 32nd in the world; GDP per capita reached approximately 5,000 USD, placing it in the group of upper-middle-income countries. Viet Nam’s global innovation index ranked 44th out of 139 countries and territories in 2025. Digital infrastructure covered 100% of communes and wards. Mobile internet speeds are among the top 20 in the world, creating an important foundation for the development of the digital economy and digital society.
However, faced with temptations and pitfalls, some Party members and officials have forgotten their communist affiliation, degenerating and becoming corrupt, allowing themselves to shed their “servant” personas and engage in corruption and extravagance, which is highly reprehensible.
The wrongdoings and illegal actions of many cadres, officials, and leaders have eroded the people's trust in the Party. This is also why the Party must always self-reflect and correct itself, always closely linking the work of Party building and rectification.
At the 6th National Party Congress (1986), the Party summarised a crucial lesson: In all its activities, the Party must thoroughly understand the ideology of “putting the people first,” building and promoting the mastery of the working people.
In the report presented to the 14th National Party Congress, General Secretary To Lam emphasised that “the people are the foundation” is not only a guiding principle but is also directly placed within a group of major lessons with methodological significance for the entire process of leadership and governance.
“The people are the foundation” is not a slogan but a guiding principle for action. In this principle, the people are the subject, placed at the centre, trusted, respected, and empowered to exercise their mastery, with the full meaning of the motto “the people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people inspect, the people supervise, and the people benefit.”
The overarching principle of “the people are the foundation” at the 14th National Congress — the congress that ushered in a new era of national development — represents a breakthrough in thinking and theory compared to the 6th Congress. After 40 years, the shift from “the people are the foundation” to “the people are the root” is not merely a change in wording, but a profound shift in mindset.
Forty years ago, this principle ushered in a brilliant period of development for the Vietnamese nation, leading the country to a position and international standing it has never achieved before. Forty years later, the principle of “the people are the foundation” is expected to create even more glorious achievements in the process of building and defending the Fatherland, no matter how unpredictable the world may be. This expectation is well-founded, because the foundation has been laid: our Party is continuously improving policies by removing the “bottleneck of bottlenecks” — the institutional framework.
It can be affirmed that the continued reform and improvement of institutions, including the issuance of seven strategic resolutions, truly serves as a foundation and basis for building trust and creating new impetus to lead the country into a new era of development.
However, to successfully achieve strategic goals and make the country increasingly prosperous and civilised, and the people increasingly well-off and happy, it is crucial for each cadre and Party member, especially leaders, to reposition and develop a mindset of serving the people.
This needs to be emphasised and translated into concrete actions. Each “servant” must thoroughly understand the Party’s guiding principle of using the satisfaction and trust of the people and businesses, and the effectiveness of their work, as criteria for evaluating cadres.
Immediately after the 14th Party Congress, General Secretary To Lam published an article titled "Forward! Complete Victory Will Be Ours!" which was widely broadcast on mass media. The Party leader affirmed: “The goal of a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilisation that the Party has set forth is not only an aspiration but also a solemn promise to the people.
Therefore, every cadre and Party member, especially those in leadership positions, must remind themselves to strive and surpass themselves. We are not allowed to delay reform, we are not allowed to be slow in action, and we certainly are not allowed to be complacent or rest on our laurels.
The lessons of previous terms show that: Where there is high political determination, centralised, unified, and thorough leadership, there will be positive changes; conversely, if we are lax, complacent, and lack decisiveness, then it will be difficult for even the most correct policies to succeed.”
On February 7, 2026, the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee organised a national conference to study, understand, and implement the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party. This comprehensive, timely, and scientific political campaign marks the beginning of the study, learning, and thorough understanding of the resolution.
It launches the journey of putting the resolution into practice, beginning the journey of “matching words with actions,” “speaking less and doing more,” with words and actions clearly defining responsibilities, tasks, goals, solutions, timelines, and specific accountability, rather than being vague or qualitative.
More than ever, every Party committee, Party organisation, every cadre and Party member, especially those in leadership positions, must uphold a high sense of responsibility, set a leading example, and wholeheartedly serve to truly be “loyal servants of the people,” transforming decisions into reality, successfully completing the tasks set forth, and vividly demonstrating the “People are the foundation” ideology, as thoroughly understood in the spirit of the Party’s 14th National Congress Resolution: the people are the centre and subject of development, and all policies are aimed at improving the material and spiritual lives of the people; while emphasising respect for, listening to, and promoting the people’s role as masters of their own destiny.
