Winners of contest on Party’s ideological foundation protection awarded - Photo: qdnd.vn

1. The position and role of the political theory sciences, social sciences and humanities in protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party

Theory is a system of generalized knowledge which creates a relatively complete conception of the basic and universal laws and relationships of the real world. According to Marxism - Leninism, all true theories are rooted in material reality, properly reflect the laws of objective reality, and return to the orientation of practical activities. Therefore, theory is particularly important component in political activities, especially activities of political parties and ruling parties. President Ho Chi Minh pointed out that a Party without ideology is like a person who has no intelligence or a ship that lacks a compass”⁽¹⁾.

The science of political theory is researching to form systemic knowledge about political theory and the summarizing of new practical issues posed within the political life of society, in order to summarize into new theories and learned experience. Political theory science is in a position and role of great importance for the perception and actions of individuals, communities, classes and the development of the whole society; it has class analysis, scientific generalizability and a highly directional and predictive nature. In Vietnam today, the political theory sciences are the sciences of studying Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s lines and viewpoints, and the State’s policies and laws; researching and summarizing the reality on the construction of the Party and the political system, as well as the country’s socio-economic development strategy. Regulation No. 285-QD/TW dated February 25, 2015 of the 11^th Politburo on “Democracy in the political theory research in the Party and State agencies” clearly stated: Research of political theory is research to provide scientific evidence for planning, perfecting the Party’s lines and viewpoints, and the State’s policies and laws. The science of political theory has the important function of researching, supplementing, developing and spreading the Party’s ideology, making Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology the dominant ideology; and plays a leading role in the spiritual life of society, as pointed out by Karl Marx: “The ideas of the ruling class are the ruling ideas in every epoch”⁽²⁾.

Social sciences and humanities are the study of societies and humanity, in which social sciences focus on studying the laws of movement and development of societies, the relationship between humanity and society, between humans; Humanities is the study of humanity, which focuses on the spiritual life of people, on the development of personalities, intelligence, thoughts, feelings, ethics, and aesthetics of humanity; and the study of the rules of conduct, activities, behavior of people. Social sciences and humanities study society and people within the context of real social life, associated with specific historical periods and contexts, in order to discover the nature and laws of movement of social history, national history and human life; thereby systematizing and generalizing into scientific knowledge to enlighten human perception, promote human development and perfect personality, creative action, contributing to building a fair, civilized, progressive and democratic society, “for all humanity and for the favor of humanity”.

The science of political theory, the social sciences and the humanities have a close and inseparable relationship; they all study humanity and societies. However, the science of political theory is characterized by being closely associated with ideology, views, stances and interests of the ruling, leadership and ruling classes in society. Therefore, the science of political theory has the function of orienting ideas, theories, value systems and methodologies, research methods for the social sciences and humanities. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “Without theory, a person feels awkward like walking with their eyes closed”⁽³⁾, “An experienced person without theory is just like having one bright eye and one blind eye”⁽⁴⁾.

Forming the basis of the worldview, humanism and the scientific methodology of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, social sciences, humanities, and political sciences in our country are currently aiming at the common goal of researching for the renovation and development of the country in the direction of socialism; building a clean and strong Party, State and political system; to protect and develop the ideological foundation of the Party; protecting the political platform and leadership lines; protecting the socialist regime, protecting the people, the socialist rule of law in the State of Vietnam; protecting renovation, industrialization and modernization of the country and its international integration; protecting the interests of the country and nation; preserving a peaceful and stable environment for the development of the country; resolutely fighting against conspiracies and tricks of “peaceful evolution”, rejecting false and hostile views.

The science of political theory plays a key role and orients the politics for the social sciences and humanities in researching, supplementing, and creatively developing the principles of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s lines and guidelines, and the State’s policies and laws. Other humanities and social sciences - with very diverse research approaches and research contents, covering various aspects of society and people - contribute to deepening and enriching the scientific, revolutionary and humanistic values of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology; providing scientific grounds for the development of the Party’s lines  and guidelines and the State’s policies and laws in various fields; contributing to building a system of views for the rapid and sustainable development of the country; affirming the history of national formation and development, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, preserving and promoting cultural values, cultural identity, and human strength of Vietnam; at the same time, identifing, criticizing and fighting against wrong and hostile views in the political, economic, cultural and social fields.

2. Political theory sciences, social sciences and humanities contribute to protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party

In the process of leading the national renovation process, the Party has always consistently advocated that science and technology be the top national policy and one of the most important driving forces for socio-economic development and national defense. On November 01, 2012, the 6th Plenum of the 11^th Central Committee issued Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW “on scientific and technological development to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization in the context of a socialist-oriented market and international integration”. This is a very important resolution, orienting the development of science and technology in our country in the new period, in which the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities are all fields given special attention. Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW defines: “Social sciences and humanities focus on theoretical research, summarizing the material reality of the country’s renovation process and forecasting developmental trends. They continue to provide arguments to clarify the path to socialism in Vietnam, serving the development of guidelines and policies for the development and protection of the country in the new period. They focus on researching developmental models and strategies, perfecting the institution of the socialist-oriented market economy; construction of the Party and a socialist law-ruled state; developmental trend of Vietnamese society, culture, the nation, religions and the people; strengthening historical scientific research; forecasting developmental trends of the region and the world, integration into the world, enhancing Vietnam’s role in solving regional and global issues, etc.”⁽⁵⁾. Thus, one of the important tasks of the social sciences and humanities in general, and the science ofpolitical theory  in particular, as pointed out by Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW, is to focus on theoretical research, summaries of material reality, the protection and development of the ideological foundation of the Party.

After 10 years of implementing Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW, the country’s sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities have gained many important achievements.

Firstly, major programs, topics and projects on scientific research on political theory, social sciences and humanities have been developed.

In implementing Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW, many programs, topics and projects on the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities have been approved and strongly and widely deployed by management and research agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Central Theoretical Council, Communist Review, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, research institutes, universities, etc.

During the period 2011-2015, the Ministry of Science and Technology approved 03 key State-level Science and Technology Programs on political theory, social sciences and humanities: Program KX.02 /11-15 “Scientific research on social development and management of social development in Vietnam until 2020”; Program KX.03/11-15 “Scientific research on cultural and human development and qualitative improvement of human resource” and Program KX.04/11-15 “Research on the science of  political theory”. In the 2016-2020 period, the Ministry of Science and Technology approved key national science and technology programs: Program KX.04/16-20 “Research on the sciences of political theory”; Program KX.01/16-20 “Research on important issues in social sciences and humanities for socio-economic development”; etc. The Central Theoretical Council has deployed a system of topics under the Research Program on the science of political theory in the periods 2011 - 2015, 2016 - 2020 and 2021 - 2025 (No.: KX.04/11-15, KX.04/16-20, KX.04/21-25). The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics has implemented many major programs and projects such as: The national key science and technology program for the period 2016 - 2020 (No. KX.02/16-20)  Project “Research, to propose, supplement, and develop Marxism - Leninism as an important component of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s intellectual foundation in the new period”, with 20 comprehensive research topics on the components of Marxism - Leninism; Project “Research on scientific arguments to ensure the stability and sustainable development of the political regime in Vietnam”; A key ministerial-level program for the period of 2019 - 2020 “Research and propose orientations to protect the ideological foundation of the Party, to fight to prevent wrong and hostile views in the fields of ideology, theory and literature, art; etc.

Secondly, the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities focused on clarifying the theoretical and practical values of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought - the ideological foundation of the Party; provided scientific grounds for building and perfecting the theory of the path towards innovation, the theory of socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam; provided scientific grounds for building and perfecting the Party’s lines and guidelines, and the State’s policies and laws.

Programs and topical projects are organized by the Central Theoretical Council and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics to conduct research on the ideological foundation of the Party and the inheritance, supplementation and development of our Party in the new period such as: “Researching, summarizing, supplementing and developing Marxism - Leninism - An important component of the ideological foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the new context”; Research on “Ho Chi Minh’s Ideology on innovation, integration and development: The values and theoretical - practical significance for the renovation cause of our country today”, on “ The synchronous political innovation in line with economic innovation in our country today: The current status, viewpoints and policy orientations”, on “Contents and methods of ruling of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the new situation”, on “Promotion of democracy in the condition of one-party leadership: The actual situation and posed issues”, on “Control of power in the political system in Vietnam today: The situation, issues and policy directions”, on “Preventing and repelling deterioration in political ideology, morality, lifestyle and the manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” in our country today: The current situation, posed issues and solutions”, on “Implementing the rule of law in building a socialist rule-of-law state led by the Communist Party of Vietnam: The current situation, posed issues and solutions” , on “the system of cultural values and the Vietnamese standard system of human values in the period of accelerating industrialization, modernization and international integration” as well as many research works on the life, career, ideology, morality and style of Ho Chi Minh and other Party leaders; And key ministerial-level projects for the period 2020 - 2025.

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences has implemented dozens of programs and projects at the State level, hundreds of topics and projects at the Academy level and at specialized institutes to clarify theoretical and practical issues of national development in the period of renovation and international integration. A number of works have done deep research these topics, thereby protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party, helping to build and fine-tune the Party, such as: “Implementing democracy within the Party in the country today - the current situation and solutions”; “Ensuring the security of the Vietnamese people in the context of globalization and international integration” (No. KX.03.14/11-15); “Sustainable development of the Vietnamese people to meet the requirements of the period of accelerating industrialization, modernization and international integration” (No. KX.03.08/11-15); “Promoting the value of religion in order to build and improve the morality and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people today” (No. KX.03.11/11-15); “Securing cultural rights in the context of promoting cultural diversity in Vietnam today” (No. KX.03.05/11-15); “The influence of the scientific and technological revolution on Vietnamese people today” (No. KX.01.11/16-20); “Cultural, social, educational and health policies in Vietnam today - some theoretical and practical issues”; etc.

The Communist Review has researched and published many works and articles of profound value in theory and practice on protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party, such as: “Social supervision of income, assets and behavior of cadres, civil servants and public employees according to the requirements of building a socialist law-ruled state” (No. KX.01.34/16-20); “Research on the relationship between the state, the market and society in the social development management in Vietnam” (No. KX.01.50/16-20); etc.

The Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies has implemented many programs and topics on culture and the arts, such as the topic KX.01.16/16-20 “Theoretical and practical issues of Vietnamese cultural soft power”, etc.

The Vietnam National University, Hanoi has deployed national-level scientific programs on “Vietnamese history”, “Chronicling the historical events of Vietnam”, “Vietnam National Geography” and and many other state- and ministerial-level scientific projects, such as: “Religion in the socialist law-ruled state and secular state issues in Vietnam” (No. KX.04.19/11-15); “The impact of acculturation and integration on development in Vietnam today” (No. KX.03.04 /11-15); “The role of social capital in developing young human resources for the cause of national industrialization and modernization” (No. KX.03.09/11-15); “Management of social development in Vietnam: The current situation, issues and policy directions” (No. KX.04.15/16-20) etc.

Research results from the topical programs, and projects have clarified the model and path to socialism in Vietnam and provided scientific evidence on the institution of the socialist-oriented market economic; the construction of the ruling Party and a socialist law-ruled state, and the development of Vietnamese culture and people. The programs, and projects have refined the subjects of interest, proposing and submiting recommendations to the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Government; continuing to affirm the scientific, revolutionary and correct nature of the basic principles of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s lines and viewpoints; the policies and laws of the State and the topics that need to be supplemented and developed to suit the reality of Vietnam in the new situation.

A number of widely published important theoretical works have attracted the special attention of cadres, party members, the people and international friends, specifically the work “Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam” by Prof., Dr. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee⁽⁶⁾. The work has affirmed the scientific and revolutionary values of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the correctness of the chosen path to socialism in Vietnam; the model and the path to socialism; important issues in Party building and rectification; construction of a socialist law-ruled state, development of culture, the people, national defense, security and foreign affairs; etc.

Thirdly, scientific evidence has been provided to criticize and refute false and hostile views

In recent years, hostile forces, reactionaries, and political opportunists have focused on opposing the Communist Party of Vietnam in all aspects: politics, ideology, organizational, and personnel work, especially pushing strong opposition to the Party’s ideological foundation, which is Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s Platform and guidelines. They not only deny the values of the times, the basic principles of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, but also oppose Marxism - Leninism with Ho Chi Minh’s ideology. They take advantage of the basic achievements of the scientific and technological revolution to attack Marxism - Leninism, arguing that Marxism - Leninism is outdated and no longer suitable for the current era of scientific and technological development. The hostile forces focus on denying the principle of democratic centralism - the basic principle of organization and operation of the Party; distorting theoretical and practical issues newly posed in the process of building socialism in Vietnam such as: the socialist-oriented market economy, the socialist law-ruled state, etc., to claim that Vietnam has “deviated” and needs to reform political institutions in the direction of political pluralism and multiparty democracy, implementation of “trias politica”, “civil society” following the Western model, etc. The above false allegations have had an impact on the perception, thoughts and feelings of a number of cadres, party members and people in order to promote “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” within our country⁽⁷⁾. From that fact, many programs, projects and research topics on the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities have directly fought and rejected wrong and hostile views, contributing to protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party⁽⁸⁾.

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics has implemented the key ministerial-level program for the period of 2019 - 2020 “To research and propose the orientation to protect the ideological foundation of the Party, to fight and prevent wrong and hostile views in the field of ideology, theory, literature and art” with 09 branch topics and 01 overview topic. In particular, the scientific essay writing contest “Protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views in the new situation” launched by the Academy has attracted a large number of scientists, officials, party members, youth union members to take part. At the first contest (in 2021), after only three months of launching, the contest organizing committee received nearly 10,000 articles from authors from all over the country. Political topics and articles have identified wrong and hostile views, false and misleading information, methods and forms of opposition by hostile forces in the field of ideology, theory, culture, literature, art, journalism, media and social networks; proposing basic directions, methods and forms to fight directly against wrong and hostile views. The content of the struggle to directly refute wrong and hostile views has become more and more effective, convincing, and more closely aligned with the reality of ideological and theoretical work, and the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation today.

Fourth, a scientific basis has been provided to improve the quality and effectiveness of organization and implementation for the protection of the ideological foundation of the Party, and to fight against wrong and hostile views

Many works of research have provided a system of solutions to improve the quality and effectiveness of the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation, and the struggle to prevent wrong and hostile views in the fields of politics, economics, ideology, theory, literature and art. Many works have made recommendations of scientific, practical and highly feasible value on institutional improvements, mechanism of coordination, team building, task performance networking, as well as the renovation of methods and forms of struggle to protect the ideological foundation of the Party, to oppose wrong and hostile views in the fields of ideology, theory, literature, art, press and media, social networks, etc., and at the same time, promoting the research, propaganda and popularization of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the national renovation guidelines⁽⁹⁾; etc.

Assessing the achievements of the social sciences and humanities and political theory sciences in recent years, the Document of the 13^th National Party Congress clearly stated: “Social sciences, humanities and the sciences of political theory actively contribute to providing arguments for the formulation of guidelines and policies; protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party; building and developing Vietnam’s economy, culture, society, people, and defending the Fatherland”⁽¹⁰⁾. The coordination and connection between political theory and social sciences and humanities have deepened and spread more sustainable values of Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology; making Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology become a solid spiritual foundation in social life.

However, besides the obvious results achieved, theoretical research, protection of the ideological foundation of the Party, and defense against wrong and hostile views over the past time, there still remains some limitations and weaknesses: “Struggling to refute wrong and hostile views is sometimes, in some places, not highly combative, still overly passive and confused. The forecasting and grasping of the ideological situation of cadres and party members, the people’s thoughts and aspirations, and the orientation of public opinion are sometimes not timely. Practical review and theoretical research have not been given due attention and have not met the necessary requirements; a number of new, difficult and complex practical problems have not yet been clarified”⁽¹¹⁾. The works of social sciences and humanities and in the sciences of political theory directly related to protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views are still too few, less combative and not yet direct; a number of research papers fighting against wrong and hostile views are not really trenchant or convincing enough. The participation of cadres, party members, scientists, culturalists and educators in activities to protect the ideological foundation of the Party and fight against wrong and untrue views is still limited. The core team of experts involved in protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views is still small in number and unequal in qualifications and capacity. The perception of some levels of Party committees, government agencies, scientific, cultural, educational agencies, cadres, civil servants, public employees and people about the work of protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting refuting wrong and hostile views is still limited.

3. Some recommendations and solutions to promote research on the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities, contributing to protecting and developing the Party’s ideological foundation and fighting against wrong and hostile views in the new situation

In the Documents of the 13^th National Party Congress, the Party for the first time identified and supplemented the sciences of political theory as one of the constituent parts of the country’s science and technology programs: natural science; science, technology and engineering; social sciences and humanities; political science. The 13^th National Party Congress emphasized the importance to promote the process of innovation, transfer, application and development of science and technology: “Continue to consistently implement the policy of science and technology as the top national policy, and focus on synchronous development of natural sciences, technology and engineering, social sciences and humanities, and the science of political theory”⁽¹²⁾; “Promote the strong development of social sciences and humanities to have a basis to best serve the cause of innovation, economic and social development. Arouse creativity, raise responsibility, and respect differences in research on humanities and social sciences. Closely associate social sciences and humanities with natural sciences and technology in the process of implementing the country’s socio-economic development tasks”⁽¹³⁾. Thoroughly grasping the spirit of the Resolution of the 13^th National Party Congress, in order to promote the roles and tasks of the humanities and social sciences and political science in the work of protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views, it is necessary to synchronously implement the following solutions:

Firstly, promote propaganda and raise awareness for cadres, party members, scientists and people from all walks of life about the important role of the social sciences and humanities, the science of political theory for the renovation and development of the country, and for the protection and development of the Party’s ideological foundation, and the struggle to refute wrong and hostile views in the new situation.

Continue to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the main tasks and solutions stated in Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW dated November 1, 2012 of the 11^th Party Central Committee; Resolution No. 37-NQ/TW dated October 9, 2014 of the 11^th Politburo on theoretical work and research orientation to 2030; Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 of the 12^th Politburo on strengthening the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation and fighting against wrong and hostile views in the new situation. Clearly define, protect, and develop the ideological foundation of the Party, and fight against wrong and hostile views as the top important task of the entire Party, people and army, in which the ideological and theoretical agencies, research and training institutions in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in the political sciences, intellectuals, social scientists, and political scientists are the core.

Secondly, strengthen the leadership and direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government, all levels of Party committees and organizations; the coordination of leading and management agencies, ideological and theoretical agencies, research and training organizations, the press, publishers on political theory, social sciences and humanities in protection and development of the Party’s ideological foundation.

Strengthen the direction and guidance of the 35 Central Steering Committee; the coordination between the Central Committee for Propaganda and Education, the Central Theoretical Council, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Communist Review, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and other departments, ministries, branches and central and local unions and authorities, press and media agencies, universities of social sciences and humanities, political theory training institutions, etc., in order to organize, motivate and promote the intellect, talent and enthusiasm of leaders, managers, theorists, officers of social sciences and humanities and the science of political theory in the work of protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views. At the same time, build a posture of the whole people, widely coordinate forces in protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, consider this as a voluntary and regular work of of leading cadres, managers, Party committees at all levels, government organizations, socio-political organizations, and of each cadre, Party member, civil servant, public employee, laborer, etc.

Thirdly, the Party committee levels, leaders of thought, theory, science and technology, research and training agencies in social sciences and humanities, and political science should correctly implement the programs, plans, subjects, practical summaries, theoretical studies on the renovation guideline, protection of the Party’s ideological foundation, and fighting against wrong and hostile views.

It is necessary to closely follow the direction of the Central Committee of the Party, the Government and the 35th Central Steering Committee and be suitable to the functions, tasks and fields of operation of their agencies and units, suitable to each subject, with a focus associated with each specific stage. The Central Theoretical Council implements the national key scientific program on the science of political theory for the period of 2021 - 2025 (No. KX04/21-25); the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics implements the national key scientific program for the period of 2022 - 2025 (No. KX02/22-25) “Research, application and creative development of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology in the cause of national construction and development and national defense in the renovation period (period from 1986 to present, with an orientation to 2030 and vision to 2045)”. The Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, other social sciences and humanities research agencies need to further strengthen their scientific programs, projects, and research tasks in social sciences - humanities, protecting and developing of the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views in order to, together with political sciences, create a synergy in continuing to affirm and concretize the basic principles and sustainable values of Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology in line with Vietnamese material reality; point out issues that need to be supplemented and developed; study and complete scientific arguments as a basis for the formulation of guidelines and policies of the Party and State in accordance with the new context; at the same time, step up the propagation and dissemination of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the Party’s guidelines and views, the State’s policies and laws to cadres, party members and people from all walks of life, so that everyone can understand and improve their responsibility in protecting and developing the ideological foundation of the Party.

Fourthly, build and improve the quality of the nation’s contingent of researchers and experts in the fields of the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities, which makes up the core force participating in protection and development of the country’s ideological foundations of the Party and fighting against wrong and hostile views.

This is a particularly important solution, because it determines the quality and effectiveness of the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation. To do so, it is necessary to discover, gather, mobilize, foster and promote the positivity of the contingent of cadres, experts, scientists, culturalists, cadres, party members, youth union members, people who have deep understanding of theory and practice, have political bravery, a firm ideological stance, scientific integrity, critical thinking, strong problem-solving skills, discovery and problem-solving skills, highly combative spirit; develop a specialized force, taking the lead in protecting the ideological foundation of the Party. It is also necessary to regularly foster and update the knowledge and skills to protect the Party’s ideological foundation, to fight against wrong and hostile views for key cadres and scientists, especially identifying new conspiracies, methods, tricks, and anti-corruption rhetoric of hostile forces, reactionaries, political opportunistic elements; skills in identifying, building arguments and counterarguments; skills in transforming scientific research products into propaganda products on mass media and social networks.

Actively participating in the political essay writing contests (held annually from 2021 onwards) on protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting against wrong and hostile views jointly held by Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Central Committee for Propaganda and Education, the Central Theoretical Council, the People’s Newspaper (Nhan Dan Newspaper), the Communist Review and the Vietnam Journalists’ Association is a good opportunity to raise awareness, responsibility and practice the logical thinking abilities and the competence to identify and fight against wrong and hostile views in the fields of ideology, theory, literature-art and in cyberspace for cadres, party members and people from all walks of life.

Fifthly, renew and diversify methods and forms in order to strengthen the coordination between the political sciences and the social sciences and humanities, media and propaganda, etc., in protecting the ideological foundation of the Party.

Promote the state management of science – technology, press and communication, especially the internet and social networks. Take measures to strictly manage the internet, prevent malicious websites and misinformation. Prevent the propaganda and spread of wrong and hostile thoughts and views; promptly handle and effectively control websites with reactionary content; coordinate with propaganda agencies to gradually master the battle of theoretical ideolog on the internet. Step up the announcement and publication of valuable research works on the social sciences and humanities, on the science of political theory, on the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation in domestic and international publications. Renovate the content and form of presentation on websites, newspapers, cultural and art publications with content of theoretical and ideological struggle. Diversify forms of struggle on the basis of holding firm views and principles, combativeness and flexibility, humanity, rationality, affection, knowing others. Actively criticize and directly fight to refute wrong and hostile views; conduct frank dialogues with individuals with different views, specifically wrong and hostile views in the spirit of science, democracy, national construction, ensuring persuasion without baseless accusations.

Promote the propaganda of great achievements of historical significance of the renovation process initiated and led by our Party, examples of good people, good deeds, and typical advanced collectives and individuals, at the same time, resolutely and persistently fight against the manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”; fight against corruption and negativity with the motto that there is no forbidden zone, no exception; promote the pioneering and exemplary role of cadres and party members, especially those in leadership roles, to strengthen the people’s faith in the Party and our regime.

Sixthly, increase investment in research on the sciences of political theory, social sciences and humanities, considering this as direction of investment that should be prioritized

Fundamentally renovate the management mechanism of the state budget spending on science and technology. Implement a mechanism by which the State places orders to research topics in the political sciences, social sciences and humanities in the direction of effectively serving the cause of national construction and defense as the goal, especially on topics relevant to solving new and difficult practical problems which lack a theoretical basis and of which have many different wrong and hostile views in the new situation.

Increase investment in scientific works of great stature to “raise the Party’s theoretical thinking, promote practical review, theoretical research, and provide timely scientific basis for developing the paths and guidelines of the Party, as well as the policies and laws of the State. Summarize the reality of 40 years of renovation to supplement and develop the Party’s theory. Continue to supplement and develop a system of views on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam. Focus on leading and directing research on difficult and complicated theoretical issues arising from the material reality or those that have been persisting for a long time; and unclear issues on the theoretical basis with many differing opinions”⁽¹⁴⁾. At the same time, allocate necessary resources to train and retrain cadres in the social sciences and humanities, and the sciences of political theory to overcome the shortage of personnel and the decline of leading experts, and contribute to the protection and development of the ideological foundation of the Party, to fight against wrong and hostile views; to firmly build and defend the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

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Received: 25^th August 2022; Reviseed: 1^st September, 2022; Approved for publication: 26^th September 2022.

Endnotes:

(1) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.2, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.289.

(2) Marx and F. Engels: Complete Works, vol.4, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995, p.625.

(3), (4) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.5, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.274, 274.

(5) The CPV: Documents of the 6th Plenum of the 11^th Central Committee, Central Office, Hanoi, 2012, p.89-90.

(6) Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phu Trong: Some theoretical and practical issues about socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang: Ideology and theory with innovation and national development, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quoc Toan (Chief author) - Prof. Dr. Phung Huu Phu - Prof. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan (Co-chief author): Some theoretical and practical issues in national development: Current situation – posed issues - orientation in the new period, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021; Prof. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan: Some issues about revolution and innovation, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2020; Prof. Dr. Mach Quang Thang (Chief author) - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Kim Viet - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Ngoc Giang: Some issues of political theory in Vietnam, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022; etc.

(7) Refer to the article of Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang: Strengthening to protect the ideological foundation of the Party and fight against wrong and hostile views in the new situation, Electronic Communist Review, April 12, 2021.

(8) Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics: Being steadfast, protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting to refute wrong and hostile views, Political Theory Publishing House, Hanoi, 2019; Protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, fighting to refute false and hostile views - some theoretical and practical issues, Political Theory Publishing House, Hanoi, 2020; Firmly maintaining the ideological foundation of the Party in the new context, Political Theory Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021; Handbook to protect the ideological foundation of the Party and fight against wrong and hostile views in the new situation, Political Theory Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022; Handling false and distorted information in the fields of ideology, theory and literature and art, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022. etc.

The Central Committee for Propaganda and Education: Protecting the ideological foundation in the new period, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2020.

(9) According to statistics, in the five years of 2015-2020, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics implemented 218 scientific and technological topics and tasks at the national level or assigned by the Central Government; 148 key ministerial-level scientific topics; 348 ministerial-level topics; 04 investigation and survey projects; 70 non-hierarchical basic topics; 932 hierarchical basis topics; developed 64 quality thematic reports and recommendations to submit to the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Subcommittee to develop the draft documents of the 13th National Party Congress. After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics performed more than 600 scientific tasks, of which 27 were directly related to Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW, nearly 80 ordered topics focused on opposing forces, protection and spread of new and core points of the draft documents of the 13th National Party Congress, and more than 100 seminars and workshops (including 11 national level seminars).

(10), (12), (13) CPV: Documents of the 13^th National Party Congress, vol.I, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, p.63-64, 140, 227.

(11), (14) CPV: Documents of the 13^th National Party Congress, vol.II, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, p.172-173, 234-235.

ASSOC.PROF., DR. NGUYEN DUY BAC

Standing Vice President of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics