We need a political system where power truly belongs to the people, is exercised by the people, and serves the interests of the people.

What is socialism and how do we advance towards socialism? This is a question we constantly ponder, reflect upon, explore, and choose to gradually refine our policies, viewpoints, and implementation methods, ensuring they both adhere to general principles and are suitable to the specific conditions of Vietnam.

Socialism and the path to socialism in VietnamSocialism is a fundamental and important theoretical and practical topic, with a vast, rich, and complex scope, encompassing numerous approaches and requiring meticulous and serious research, as well as a profound and scientific summation of practical experience. Within the scope of this article, I will only address some aspects from the practical perspective of Vietnam. I will also focus on answering a few questions: What is socialism? Why did Vietnam choose the socialist path? How can we gradually build socialism in Vietnam? What is the significance and challenges posed by the practical implementation of the reform and socialist path in Vietnam over the past period?

As we know, socialism is often understood in three capacities: socialism as adoctrineSocialism is amovementSocialism is aregimeEach of these states of mind has many different manifestations, depending on the worldview and level of development in each specific historical period. The socialism referred to here is scientific socialism based on Marxist-Leninist theory in the modern era. Therefore, we must...shapingWhat is socialism, andorientationHow can we advance towards socialism in a way that suits the specific circumstances and characteristics of Vietnam?

Previously, during the Soviet Union and the era of the world's socialist countries, the issue of advancing towards socialism in Vietnam seemed unquestionable, implicitly considered a given. However, after the collapse of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and many Eastern European countries, and the decline of the world revolution, the issue of advancing towards socialism was raised again and became the focal point attracting much discussion, even fierce debate. Anti-communist forces and political opportunists were gleeful and excited, taking advantage of the situation to distort and undermine the system. Within the revolutionary ranks, there were also pessimistic and wavering individuals who doubted the correctness and scientific validity of socialism, attributing the collapse of the Soviet Union and some Eastern European socialist countries to the mistakes of Marxism-Leninism and the choice of the path to building socialism. From this, they argued that we had chosen the wrong path and needed to take a different one. Some people even echo hostile rhetoric, attacking and rejecting socialism while one-sidedly praising capitalism. Some even repent for a time when they believed in Marxism-Leninism and the socialist path! Is this really the case? Is it true that capitalism, including the oldest capitalist countries, is currently thriving? Has Vietnam chosen the wrong path?

We acknowledge that capitalism has never been as global as it is today and has achieved many great successes, especially in the areas of liberating and developing productive forces and developing science and technology. Many developed capitalist countries, based on advanced economic conditions and the results of the struggles of the working class and the working people, have implemented adjustments and formed many more progressive social welfare systems than before. From the mid-1970s and especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, to adapt to new conditions, world capitalism has strived to self-adjust, promoting "neoliberal" policies on a global scale; and thanks to this, it still has potential for development. However, capitalism still cannot overcome its fundamental inherent contradictions. Crises continue to occur. Particularly in 2008-2009. We have witnessed the financial crisis and economic recession that began in the United States, quickly spreading to other capitalist centers and impacting most countries in the world. Bourgeois states and governments in the West have injected enormous sums of money to rescue multinational corporations, industrial conglomerates, financial institutions, banks, and stock markets, but with little success. And today, we are witnessing a multifaceted crisis, encompassing health, social, political, and economic aspects, unfolding under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The economic recession has exposed the truth of social injustices in capitalist societies: the lives of the majority of the working population have been severely degraded, unemployment has increased; the gap between rich and poor is widening, exacerbating conflicts and tensions between ethnic groups. Situations of "bad development," paradoxes of "anti-development," have spilled over from the economic and financial spheres into the social sphere, igniting social conflicts, and in many places, economic situations have become political situations with waves of protests and strikes, shaking the very foundations of the system. The truth is that the free market of capitalism itself cannot solve these difficulties, and in many cases, it causes serious harm to poor countries; deepening the contradictions between...laborandcapitalglobally. This reality also bankrupts economic theories or development models that were once considered fashionable, praised by many bourgeois politicians, and regarded as optimal and rational by their experts.

Along with the economic and financial crisis, the energy crisis, the food crisis, the depletion of natural resources, and the degradation of the ecological environment are posing enormous challenges to the existence and development of humanity. This is the consequence of a socio-economic development process that prioritizes profit as the ultimate goal, considers the increasing possession of wealth and material consumption as the measure of civilization, and places individual interests as the cornerstone of society. These are also the essential characteristics of the capitalist mode of production and consumption. The ongoing crises once again demonstrate this.unsustainable in terms of economics, society, and ecological environment.According to many scientists, the current crises cannot be completely resolved within the framework of capitalism.

The recent surge in social protest movements in many developed capitalist countries has further exposed the true nature of capitalist political systems. The reality is that the democratic institutions based on the "liberal democracy" formula that the West vigorously promotes and imposes on the world do not guarantee that power truly belongs to the people, is exercised by the people, and serves the people – the most essential element of democracy. This power system remains primarily controlled by a wealthy minority and serves the interests of large capitalist corporations. A very small segment, perhaps as little as 1% of the population, holds the majority of wealth and means of production, controls up to three-quarters of the financial resources, knowledge, and major media outlets, and therefore dominates society as a whole. This is the underlying reason behind the "99 against 1" movement that took place in the US in early 2011 and quickly spread to many capitalist countries.equality of rightsbut without theequality in conditions for implementationThese rights have led to democracy remaining merely a formality, empty and lacking substance. In political life, once the power of money dominates, the power of the people will be overshadowed. Therefore, in developed capitalist countries, elections called "free" and "democratic," while capable of changing the government, cannot change the ruling powers; behind the multi-party system, in reality, remains the authoritarian rule of capitalist corporations.

We need a society where development is truly for the benefit of humanity, not for profit that exploits and tramples on human dignity. We need economic development coupled with social progress and justice, not an increase in the gap between rich and poor and social inequality. We need a society that is compassionate, united, and supportive of one another, striving towards progressive and humane values, not one of unfair competition and "the big fish eat the small fish" for the selfish interests of a few individuals and groups. We need sustainable development, in harmony with nature, to ensure a healthy living environment for present and future generations, not one that exploits and appropriates resources, consumes material goods without restraint, and destroys the environment. And we need a political system where power truly belongs to the people, is exercised by the people, and serves the interests of the people, not just a wealthy minority.Perhaps those noble aspirations are the true values ​​of socialism, and also the goal and path that President Ho Chi Minh, our Party, and our people have chosen and are steadfastly and persistently pursuing.

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As we all know, the Vietnamese people have gone through a long, difficult, arduous, and sacrificial revolutionary struggle to fight against colonial and imperialist domination and aggression, to protect national independence and the sacred sovereignty of the country, and for the freedom and happiness of the people, with the spirit of"Nothing is more precious than Independence and Freedom."

National independence linked with socialism is the fundamental and consistent guideline of the Vietnamese revolution and also the core of President Ho Chi Minh's ideological legacy. Combining his rich practical experience with the revolutionary and scientific theories of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh drew the profound conclusion that,Only socialism and communism can thoroughly resolve the issue of national independence, and only they can bring true freedom, prosperity, and happiness to all people and all nations.

From its very inception and throughout its revolutionary struggle, the Communist Party of Vietnam has consistently affirmed that socialism is the goal and ideal of the Communist Party and the Vietnamese people; advancing towards socialism is an objective requirement and the inevitable path of the Vietnamese revolution. In 1930, in its Political Platform, the Communist Party of Vietnam advocated: "To carry out a national democratic revolution led by the working class, advancing towards socialism, bypassing the capitalist stage." In the late 20th century, despite the significant collapse of real socialism worldwide, the disappearance of socialist countries, and the crisis and decline of the socialist movement facing numerous difficulties, the Communist Party of Vietnam continued to affirm:"Our Party and people are determined to build Vietnam along the socialist path on the foundation of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought."At the 11th National Congress of the Party (January 2011)Program for building the country during the transitional period to socialism.(Supplemented and developed in 2011), we reaffirm once again:"Advancing towards socialism is the aspiration of our people, the correct choice of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, and in line with the historical trend of development."

However,What is socialism and how do we move towards socialism?That is something we have always pondered, considered, researched, and chosen to gradually perfect our policies, viewpoints, and implementation methods, ensuring they both adhere to general principles and are suitable to the specific conditions of Vietnam.

During the years of implementing the reform process, through summarizing practical experience and conducting theoretical research, the Communist Party of Vietnam has gradually gained a more accurate and profound understanding of socialism and the transitional period to socialism; gradually overcoming some previous simplistic conceptions such as: equating the ultimate goal of socialism with the tasks of the immediate stage; emphasizing only one aspect of production relations and the egalitarian distribution system, failing to fully recognize the requirements for developing productive forces during the transitional period, and not acknowledging the existence of different economic sectors; equating the market economy with capitalism; equating the rule of law with the bourgeois state...

To date, although there are still some issues that need further in-depth research, we have Forming a general understanding:The socialist society that the Vietnamese people are striving to build is a society where the people are prosperous, the nation is strong, democratic, just, and civilized; where the people are the masters; where the economy is highly developed, based on modern productive forces and appropriate progressive production relations; where the culture is advanced and rich in national identity; where people have a comfortable, free, and happy life, with conditions for comprehensive development; where all ethnic groups in the Vietnamese community are equal, united, respect and help each other to develop together; where there is a socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, led by the Communist Party; and where there are friendly and cooperative relations with countries around the world.

To achieve that goal, we must: Promote industrialization and modernization of the country in conjunction with the development of a knowledge-based economy; Develop a socialist-oriented market economy; Build an advanced culture rich in national identity, cultivate human resources, improve people's lives, and achieve social progress and equity; Ensure strong national defense and security, and social order and safety; Implement an independent, self-reliant, multilateral, diversified, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, actively and proactively integrating into the international community; Build a socialist democracy, promote the will and strength of national unity, combined with the strength of the times; Build a socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people, and for the people; and build a clean, strong, and comprehensive Party and political system.

The more we delve into practical guidance, the more our Party realizes that the transition to socialism is crucial.It is a long, extremely difficult, and complex career.Because it requires profound qualitative transformation in all areas of social life. Vietnam is moving towards socialism from a backward agricultural country, bypassing capitalism, with very low productive forces, and having gone through decades of war with very heavy consequences; hostile forces are constantly trying to sabotage it, so it is even more difficult and complex.It is necessary to go through a long transitional period.With many steps and various forms of economic and social organization intertwined, there is a struggle between the old and the new. This is to say we can bypass the capitalist system.It means ignoring the oppressive, unjust, and exploitative capitalist system; ignoring vices and bad habits, and inappropriate political institutions and systems.This should be in line with the socialist system, not by ignoring the achievements and values ​​of civilization that humanity has attained during the capitalist period. Of course, inheriting these achievements must be selective from a scientific and developmental perspective.

To put forward the concept of developing a socialist-oriented market economy isa very fundamental and innovative theoretical breakthrough of our Party,This is an important theoretical achievement over 35 years of implementing the reform policy, stemming from Vietnam's practical experience and selectively absorbing global experiences. According to our understanding, a socialist-oriented market economy is a modern market economy, integrated internationally, operating fully and synchronously according to the laws of the market economy, under the management of a socialist rule-of-law state, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam; ensuring a socialist orientation, aiming for a prosperous people, a strong nation, and a just, democratic, and civilized society. That is...is a new type of market economy.In the history of market economic development, a type of economic organization that both adheres to the laws of the market economy and is based on, guided by, and governed by the principles and essence of socialism, manifested in all three aspects:Ownership, organization, management, and distribution.This is neither a capitalist market economy nor a fully developed socialist market economy (because our country is still in a transitional period).

In a socialist-oriented market economy, there are many forms of ownership and many economic sectors. All economic sectors, operating in accordance with the law, are important components of the economy, enjoying equality before the law, developing together in the long term, cooperating, and competing healthily. Within this, the state-owned economy plays a leading role; the collective and cooperative economies are continuously strengthened and developed; the private economy is an important driving force; and the foreign-invested economy is encouraged to develop in accordance with the socio-economic development strategy and plan. Distribution relations ensure fairness and create incentives for development; the distribution system is primarily based on labor results and economic efficiency, while also considering capital contributions and other resources, and distribution is carried out through the social security and welfare system. The state manages the economy through laws, strategies, plans, policies, and material resources to guide, regulate, and promote socio-economic development.

A fundamental characteristic, an important attribute.The socialist orientation in Vietnam's market economy must...Linking the economy with society, unifying economic policies with social policies, and ensuring economic growth goes hand in hand with achieving social progress and equity in every step, every policy, and throughout the entire development process.This means: we shouldn't wait until the economy reaches a high level of development before implementing social progress and equity, and even less should we "sacrifice" social progress and equity in pursuit of mere economic growth. On the contrary,Every economic policy must aim at social development; every social policy must aim to create incentives for economic development; encouraging legitimate wealth creation must go hand in hand with sustainable poverty eradication, caring for war veterans and those in difficult circumstances.This is a fundamental requirement to ensure healthy, sustainable development in accordance with socialist principles.

We considerCulture is the spiritual foundation of society, an intrinsic strength, a driving force for national development and defense; therefore, cultural development must be synchronized and harmonized with economic growth and social progress and equity.This is a fundamental orientation of the process of building socialism in Vietnam. The culture we are building is an advanced culture, rich in national identity, a culture of unity in diversity, based on progressive and humanistic values; Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought play a leading role in the spiritual life of society.Inheriting and promoting the fine traditional values ​​of all ethnic groups in the country, absorbing the achievements and cultural essence of humanity, striving to build a civilized and healthy society for the genuine benefit and dignity of human beings.With increasingly higher levels of knowledge, morality, physical fitness, lifestyle, and aesthetics, we have determined that human beings hold a central position in our development strategy.Developing culture and building human resources are both the goals and driving forces of the reform process; developing education and training, and science and technology are top national priorities; protecting the environment is one of the vital issues and a criterion for sustainable development; building happy and progressive families as healthy and strong cells of society, and achieving gender equality.It is a criterion of progress and civilization.

A socialist society is a society oriented towards progressive and humane values.Based on the foundation of the common good of the entire society harmonized with the legitimate interests of individuals, this is fundamentally different from societies where individuals and groups compete to seize private benefits.Therefore, it is necessary and possible to build social consensus instead of social opposition and antagonism. In a socialist political system, the relationship between the Party, the State, and the people is a relationship between subjects united in goals and interests; all Party guidelines, policies, laws, and State activities are governed by these principles.All actions are for the benefit of the people, with the happiness of the people as the ultimate goal.The overall political model and operating mechanism are:The Party leads, the State manages, and the people are the masters.Democracy is the essence of the socialist regime, both the goal and the driving force of socialist construction; building a socialist democracy and ensuring that power truly belongs to the people is a crucial and long-term task of the Vietnamese revolution. We advocate for continuously promoting democracy and building a truly socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, and for the people, based on the alliance of workers, farmers, and intellectuals led by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The state represents the people's right to self-governance and is also the organizer of the Party's policies; it has mechanisms for the people to exercise their right to direct self-governance and representative democracy in all areas of social life and participate in social management. We recognize that a socialist rule-of-law state is essential.in essenceThe difference between a bourgeois rule of law state and a socialist rule of law state lies in the fact that: under a capitalist regime, the rule of law is essentially a tool to protect and serve the interests of the bourgeoisie, while under a socialist regime, the rule of law is a tool to express and implement the people's right to self-governance, guaranteeing and... Protecting the interests of the vast majority of the people. Through the enforcement of laws, the State ensures the conditions for the people to be the subjects of political power, exercising dictatorship against all actions that harm the interests of the Fatherland and the people. At the same time, we affirm that national unity is the source of strength and a decisive factor in ensuring the sustainable victory of the revolutionary cause in Vietnam; constantly promoting equality and solidarity among ethnic groups and religions.

Deeply aware that the leadership of the Communist Party is the decisive factor in the success of the reform process and in ensuring the country's development in accordance with the socialist orientation, weParticular emphasis is placed on Party building and rectification, considering this a key task of vital importance to the Party and the socialist regime.The Communist Party of Vietnam is the vanguard of the Vietnamese working class; the Party's birth, existence, and development are for the benefit of the working class, the working people, and the entire nation. When the Party holds power, leading the entire nation, it is recognized by the entire people as its leading vanguard, and therefore the Party is the vanguard of the working class, and at the same time the vanguard of the working people and the entire Vietnamese nation. Saying this does not mean belittling the class nature of the Party, but rather expressing a deeper and more complete understanding of the Party's class nature, because the working class is a class whose interests are unified with the interests of the working people and the entire nation. Our Party steadfastly takes Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought as the ideological foundation and guiding principle for revolutionary action, and takes democratic centralism as its basic organizational principle. The Party leads through its platform, strategy, policy orientations, and major guidelines; Through propaganda, persuasion, mobilization, organization, inspection, supervision, and the exemplary actions of Party members; unified leadership in personnel work. Aware of the dangers to the ruling party such as corruption, bureaucracy, degeneration, etc., especially in a market economy, the Communist Party of Vietnam requires constant self-renewal and self-rectification, fighting against opportunism, individualism, corruption, bureaucracy, waste, degeneration, etc., within the Party and throughout the entire political system.

The reform process, including the development of a socialist-oriented market economy, has truly brought about tremendous and very positive changes. for the country over the past 35 years.

Before the Doi Moi (Renovation) period (1986), Vietnam was a poor country severely devastated by war, leaving enormous consequences in terms of human lives, property, and the ecological environment. To give just one example, even today, millions of people suffer from serious illnesses and hundreds of thousands of children are born with birth defects due to the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin used by the US military during the war in Vietnam. According to experts, it will take more than 100 years for Vietnam to clear all the unexploded ordnance left over from the war. After the war, the US and the West imposed an economic embargo on Vietnam for nearly 20 years. The regional and international situation was also complex, creating many disadvantages for us. Food and essential goods were extremely scarce, and people's lives were very difficult; about three-quarters of the population lived below the poverty line.

Thanks to the implementation of the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy, the economy began to develop and has continuously grown at a relatively high rate over the past 35 years, with an average growth rate of about 7% per year. GDP has continuously expanded, reaching US$342.7 billion in 2020, making it the fourth largest economy in ASEAN. Per capita income has increased approximately 17 times, reaching US$3,512; Vietnam has moved out of the group of low-income countries since 2008. From a country that suffered from chronic food shortages, Vietnam has not only ensured food security but has also become a leading exporter of rice and many other agricultural products in the world. Industry has developed quite rapidly, with the proportion of industry and services continuously increasing and currently accounting for about 85% of GDP. Total import and export turnover has increased sharply, reaching over US$540 billion in 2020, of which export turnover reached over US$280 billion. Foreign exchange reserves increased sharply, reaching $100 billion in 2020. Foreign investment also increased rapidly, with registered capital reaching nearly $395 billion by the end of the year.2020In terms of economic structure and ownership relations, Vietnam's current GDP consists of approximately 27% from the state-owned sector, 4% from the collective sector, 30% from the household sector, 10% from the domestic private sector, and 20% from the foreign-invested sector.

Vietnam's current population is over97Vietnam has a population of millions, comprising 54 ethnic groups, with over 60% living in rural areas. Economic development has helped the country overcome the socio-economic crisis of the 1980s and significantly improved people's lives. The average annual poverty rate has decreased by approximately 1.5%; falling from 58% in 1993 to 5.8% in 2016 according to the government's poverty standard and below 3%. In 2020, Vietnam met the multidimensional poverty standard (with higher criteria than before). To date, over 60% of communes have achieved the new rural standard; most rural communes have roads leading to their centers, access to the national power grid, primary and secondary schools, health stations, and telephone access. While not yet able to guarantee free education for everyone at all levels, Vietnam focused on eradicating illiteracy and universalizing primary education by 2000 and lower secondary education by 2010; the number of university and college students has increased nearly 17 times in the past 35 years. Currently, 95% of adults in Vietnam are literate. While not yet able to ensure free healthcare for all citizens, Vietnam focuses on strengthening preventive healthcare, disease control, and support for disadvantaged groups. Many previously prevalent diseases have been successfully controlled. The poor, children under 6 years old, and the elderly are provided with free health insurance. The rate of child malnutrition and infant mortality has decreased by almost three times. The average life expectancy of the population has increased from 62 years.1990He turned 73.7 years old this year.2020Thanks to economic development, we have been able to better care for those who have rendered meritorious service, support Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, and look after the graves of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland. Cultural life has also improved significantly; cultural activities have become rich and diverse. Currently, about 70% of Vietnam's population uses the Internet, making it one of the countries with the highest rates of information technology development in the world. The United Nations has recognized Vietnam as one of the leading countries in realizing the Millennium Development Goals. In 2019, Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) reached 0.704, placing it among the countries with a high HDI in the world, especially compared to countries at a similar level of development.

Thus, it can be said that the implementation of the reform policy has brought about significant, profound, and positive changes in Vietnam: the economy has developed, productive forces have been strengthened; poverty has decreased rapidly and continuously; people's lives have improved, many social problems have been solved; politics and society are stable, national defense and security are ensured; foreign relations and international integration are increasingly expanded; the nation's position and strength have been enhanced; and the people's trust in the Party's leadership has been consolidated. Summarizing 20 years of reform, the 10th Party Congress (2006) acknowledged that the reform cause had achieved "great achievements of historical significance." In reality, in many respects, Vietnamese people today have better living conditions than at any previous time. That is one of the reasons why the reform movement initiated and led by the Communist Party of Vietnam has been supported, embraced, and actively pursued by the entire Vietnamese people. The achievements of reform in Vietnam have proven thatSocialist-oriented development not only has positive economic effects but also solves social problems much better than capitalist countries with the same level of economic development.The remarkable achievements and successes attained by Vietnam amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic recession that began in early 2020 have been recognized and highly appreciated by the people and international friends, demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system in our country. Recently, the 13th National Congress of the Party once again affirmed and emphasized: "Through 35 years of carrying out the reform process and 30 years of implementing the Platform for building the country during the transitional period to socialism, the theory of the reform line, of socialism, and the path to socialism in our country has been increasingly perfected and gradually realized. We have achieved great achievements of historical significance, developing more strongly and comprehensively than in the years before the reform. With all humility, we can still say that:Our country has never before possessed the strength, potential, position, and international prestige it enjoys today.These achievements are the crystallized product of creativity, the result of a continuous and persistent effort over many terms by the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army; further affirming that our path to socialism is correct, in accordance with objective laws, the realities of Vietnam, and the development trends of the times; that the Party's reform line is correct and creative; and that the Party's leadership is the leading factor determining all the victories of the Vietnamese revolution. The Party's political platform continues to be the ideological and theoretical banner guiding our nation to steadfastly and comprehensively advance the reform process; it is the foundation for our Party to perfect the line of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the new stage."Documents of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam(Volume I, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, pages 25-26).

Alongside our achievements, which are fundamentally positive, we also have many shortcomings and limitations, and are facing new challenges in the process of national development.

Economically, the quality of growth and competitiveness remain low and unsustainable; infrastructure is inadequate; the efficiency and capacity of many businesses, including state-owned enterprises, are limited; the environment is polluted in many areas; and market management and regulation still have many shortcomings. Meanwhile, competition is becoming increasingly fierce in the process of globalization and international integration.

Socially, the gap between rich and poor is widening; the quality of education, healthcare, and many other public services remains inadequate; social culture and morality are deteriorating in some aspects; and crime and social vices are becoming increasingly complex. In particular, corruption, waste, and the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle continue to occur among a segment of cadres and Party members. Meanwhile, hostile and malicious forces are constantly seeking ways to interfere, undermine, and destabilize the country, carrying out a "peaceful evolution" plot aimed at eliminating socialism in Vietnam.

Our Party recognizes that Vietnam is currently in the process of building and transitioning to socialism. During this transitional period, socialist elements are formed, established, and developed in an intertwined and competitive manner with non-socialist elements, including capitalist elements in some areas. This intertwining and competition becomes even more complex and intense under the conditions of a market economy and international integration. Alongside achievements and positive aspects, there will always be negative aspects and challenges that need to be considered soberly and addressed promptly and effectively. This is a very arduous and difficult struggle, requiring a new vision, new courage, and new creativity. Advancing along the socialist path is a process of continuously consolidating, strengthening, and promoting socialist elements so that they increasingly dominate, overwhelm, and triumph. Success or failure depends first and foremost on the correctness of the Party's policies, its political acumen, leadership capacity, and fighting spirit.

Currently, we are continuing to promote innovation in the growth model, restructuring the economy towards greater emphasis on quality and sustainability with breakthroughs in: synchronously perfecting development institutions, first and foremost the institutions for developing a socialist-oriented market economy; developing human resources, primarily high-quality human resources; and building a synchronous and modern infrastructure in both economic and social aspects (Documents of the 13th National Congress, Volume 2, pages 337-338). Regarding society, we continue to promote sustainable poverty reduction, improve the quality of healthcare, education, and other public services, and further enhance the cultural life of the people. The entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army are striving to study and follow Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style with the determination to prevent and reverse the decline in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle of a segment of cadres and Party members, especially leading and managerial cadres at all levels, and to better implement the principles of Party organization and building, aiming to make Party organizations and the state apparatus increasingly clean, strong, maintain their revolutionary nature, and enhance the leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party.

Both theory and practice show that building socialism means creating a qualitatively new type of society, which is by no means simple or easy.This is a great, challenging, and difficult creative endeavor, a self-motivated, continuous, and long-term goal-oriented career that cannot be rushed.Therefore, in addition to determining the correct policies and guidelines and ensuring the Party's leadership role, it is necessary to strongly promote the creative role, support, and active participation of the people. The people accept, support, and enthusiastically participate in implementing the Party's guidelines because they see that those guidelines meet their needs and aspirations. The strength of the people is the profound source of victory and development.

On the other hand, the ruling party, while determining political direction and formulating policies, cannot base its decisions solely on the realities of its own country and people, but must also study and draw on the experiences of the world and the times. In today's globalized world, the development of each nation cannot be isolated, standing outside the impacts of the world and the times, of the current situation and its context. Therefore, we must proactively and actively integrate into the international community, pursuing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, multilateralizing and diversifying international relations on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, and mutual benefit.

And this is extremely important.We must always remain steadfast and firm on the ideological and theoretical foundation of Marxism-Leninism – the scientific and revolutionary doctrine of the working class and the working masses.The scientific and thoroughly revolutionary nature of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought are enduring values ​​that have been and continue to be pursued and implemented by revolutionaries. They will continue to develop and remain vibrant in revolutionary practice as well as in the practical development of science. WeWe need to selectively absorb and incorporate, in a critical and creative spirit, the latest achievements in thought and science so that our ideology and doctrines remain ever fresh and are always invigorated.It reflects the spirit of the times, avoiding rigidity, stagnation, and backwardness compared to life.