(LLCT) -  In the preface of the International Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948, it is affirmed that all states have a responsibility to protect human rights and are under obligations to fully exercise human rights (including freedom of religion). Therefore, there must be a general concept of freedom of religion to fulfill that commitment and also to prevent abuse of power which may destabilize social life. This article clarifies the obligations and responsibilities of the State and religious organizations in the exercise of religious freedom, and some principles to combat the abuse of religious freedom to deprive other civil rights.

(LLCT) - It is imperative to survey and evaluate the effect after advanced political theory training at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. This is an important base for the Academy to adjust and renovate the related contents to improve the advanced political theory training quality. This evaluation is implemented in accordance with the following 5 aspects: (1) Suitability in arranging job by specialty, (2) Change of position after advanced political theory training, (3) Promotion of strong capacity after advanced political theory training, (4) Degree of the student’s participation in the activities of the unit before and after learning advanced political theory, and (5) Effect of implementing the specific tasks at the unit after graduating from the advanced political theory program.

(LLCT) - Religious change in Vietnam has a major influence on traditional customs and practices in both positive and negative directions. On the one hand, it contributes to restoring many fine national traditions and customs and changing the lifestyle and behavior of a group of people. On the other hand, it revitalizes many customs and backward practices, distorting and fading some customs and traditions. These impacts have raised many issues to the Party and the State and need to be solved in the course of national construction and development in the new period.

(LLCT) - It has been 170 years since the Manifesto of the Communist Party was born. The value of its theoretical points has remained unchanged up to now. The country on the path to socialism can apply it creatively in accordance with its specific conditions. For Vietnam, the chosen transitional path to socialism is oriented and lightened by the Manifesto and Marxism - Leninism. The vitality of the Manifesto is the constant inspiration which requires us to supplement and develop the theory of socialism and the transitional path to socialism in Vietnam in the new context.

(LLCT) - The theory of socio-economic forms is one of the most important content topics of the Marxist historical materialism whose founders pointed out the most general movement rules of human society. As a result, a great number of countries chose the theory of socio-economic forms as the theoretical basis to build socialism. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe as well as the continuous changes in the world amidst the Industrial Revolution 4.0, many people were skeptical about the correctness and scientism of this theory. Thus, bases are needed to fight against the wrong views to protect the scientific and revolutionary character of the theory of socio-economic forms in the current context.

(LLCT) - Since joining ASEAN, Vietnam has actively participated in, and contributed to ASEAN’s common activities and the creation and strengthening of security frameworks in the region like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Treaty of Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), and the Bali Declaration on the principles of mutually beneficial relations. This article provides three policy recommendations for Vietnam to further promote its role when participating in ASEAN security mechanisms in the coming period.

(LLCT) - On the 12^th of April 2016, the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam (UNDP), the Centre for Official Fostering and Scientific Research (under the Fatherland Front of Vietnam), and the Centre for Community Support and Development Studies, launched Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) 2015 in Hanoi. In attendance of the ceremony were Prof. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, H.E. Ms. Beatrice Maser Mallor, Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam, and Ms. Pratibha Mehta, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Vietnam.

A nation's power includes not only its hard power (geographical - population, economic, military factors) but also its soft power (political institution, ideology and national strategies (state leaders), and the will of the people in implementing strategies, social values, international relations). Therefore, the study of a country’s soft power should be taken under overall consideration of its comprehensive power.