By the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country is developing more and more - Photo: DC

Currently, forces hostile to Vietnam have been promoting the strategy of “peaceful evolution” with more sophisticated and drastic methods and tricks. On many information channels, they misrepresent the reality of the one-ruling-party political regime in Vietnam, claiming it is dictatorial, autocratic, undemocratic, hindering the development of the country.

However, in terms of scientific theory and vivid practice, it has been proven that with the model of political monism and under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country has achieved many great achievements: sustainable economic development and socio-political stability. Our democracy is not restricted but guaranteed and is promoted more widely and substantively.

1. The leadership and government of the Communist Party of Vietnam is a historical necessity and the correct choice of our nation

Over 92 years of construction and development, the Communist Party of Vietnam has affirmed that its unique position of leadership and power, has been the decisive factor in all victories of the revolution. The Party’s leadership role and capacity has been recognized and appreciated by both the people of Vietnam, as well as by international friends.

However, under the enormous impact of globalization and comprehensive international integration, along with a great booming of information technologies, hostile and reactionary forces have made many unfounded allegation, misrepresenting the truth, claiming that “the political monism in which one Party holds power in Vietnam is dictatorial, authoritarian and undemocratic”; “Without pluralism and multi-party systems, the democracy cannot be achieved”, “the current political system in Vietnam is not in line with international standards”, “the regime in which one Party leads and hold the power is contrary to the principle of the rule of law”, “Using the leadership, refusing to practice political pluralism is an act of usurping power and appropriating the people’s achievements”, etc. These unscientific arguments are aimed at denying the leading and ruling role of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and negating the Party’s principle of democratic centralism.

Moreover, some people still wonder: “Why is there only one party in Vietnam holding the power and taking the leadership role?”, and many people judge that: “A party holding the power in Vietnam is dictatorial and undemocratic”.

This issue shall be reviewed in a “historic perspective” in order to give a satisfactory answer according to historical truths and the reality of the revolutionary struggle in Vietnam.

Along with the Communist Party of Vietnam, other political parties and organizations who have the same goal of liberating the nation from colonial rule carried out the struggle against French colonial rule. In the late 20s and early 30s of the twentieth century, many organizations and political parties in Vietnam were established and operating strongly, such as: Nghia Hung Party (1907) representing the peasant class; The Constitutional Party (1923) representing the bourgeoisie and landowners; The Vietnam War Association (1925), Vietnam Youth Party (1926), Vietnam Nationalist Party (1927), etc. and other Parties founded after the establishment of the  Communist Party of Vietnam (1930) including Dai Viet National Society Party (1936), Dai Viet Nationalist Party aka. Dai Viet Party (1939), etc.

Among the political parties and organizations established in Vietnam, some parties aimed to liberate the nation and make the country rich and strong, while others pursued political power to benefit their class and stratum, while some parties even “followed” foreigners to fight against the interests of our nation. Facing the difficult historical challenges, some parties have disbanded themselves because they could not shoulder the mission of liberating our nation and freeing the people from their shackles.

The historical reality proves that parties operating in Vietnam did not face competition or rejection, but they could not achieve the right to lead the revolution, except the Communist Party of Vietnam. Because other parties did not have a clear political path, a properly organized system, bravery, etc., they did not have sufficient political capacity and prestige to lead the revolution. Some parties were even allowed to operate openly with the support from foreign entities both in terms of organization and finance, but they also quickly failed and disbanded.

In early 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was established, representing the interests of the working class, the working people and the Vietnamese nation. The establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the first political platform of the Party ended our crisis around the political line and leadership class, creating an organizational unity throughout the country, enhancing the influence and the position of the Party.

Since its establishment, the Communist Party of Vietnam has raised the banner of national independence and socialism, determining its revolutionary goals, setting forth the proper guidelines and orientation in line with the historical requirements and needs. The Party has gained the leadership of the revolution, being recognized by all strata of Vietnamese society.

On the other hand, the Party has practiced a scientific and flexible method of organization, operation and public mobilization that is suitable to actual conditions in Vietnam. From its earliest days, the Party has developed its prestige, being wholeheartedly supported by the people.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country has gained great and glorious victories and achievements of historical significance, fulfilling the responsibility of leading the revolutionary cause of liberating the nation, defending the Fatherland, bringing independence, freedom, prosperity and happiness to the people. Particularly, during our national renovation, the leadership and government of the Communist Party of Vietnam was challenged and affirmed.

After 36 years of renovation, under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam which used to be a poor, backward and a low-level country has risen to become a developing  middle income nation, continuously improving the people’s material and spiritual life, keeping our socio-political status stable, firmly assuring our national defense and security, maintaining our independence and sovereignty and increasingly enhancing the country’s position and prestige in the international arena. In fact, “our country has never had the opportunity, potential, position and international prestige like we have today”⁽¹⁾.

In fact, the leadership and governing role of the Communist Party of Vietnam is an inevitable choice which is based on the people’s will and aspirations. That role and position is not the subjective will of the Party. The tough historical challenges have proved the bravery, wisdom, and experience of the Party. The Party has developed its prestige and gained the trust of the people.

2. The Communist Party of Vietnam governs through the leadership of the State and the political system

Deeply aware of the role and glorious mission of the Party, President Ho Chi Minh has paid special attention to the work of Party development under the conditions in which the Party holds the power. He wrote in his will: “Our Party is the one in power so it shall be kept fully pure, worthy of being a leader and a faithful servant of the people”⁽²⁾.

Until the establishment of the government, the Party operated in secret. It has completely relied on the people, living in the hearts of the people, being nurtured, protected, defended, and supported in all aspects by the people. Thanks to that, the Party is close and fully associated with the people.

Since rising to power (1945), the Communist Party of Vietnam has always strived for the interests of the class and the people, “the interests of the people are the interests of the Party and the interests of the people and the Party shall be prioritized first and above all”⁽³⁾.

As a Party leading the State and society that is recognized, trusted and supported by the people and enshrined in our Constitution and laws, in the process of leading the revolution, the Party always strives to fulfill its the task of “liberating the nation, making the Fatherland rich and strong, making compatriots happy”⁽⁴⁾, “apart from the interests of the nation and the Fatherland, the Party has no other interests”⁽⁵⁾, “We shall do our best to do whatever is beneficial to the people and prevent whatever harmful to the people”⁽⁶⁾.

The Party’s purpose as it holds the power is ultimately based on the benefit of the people. Experiencing the reality of revolutionary struggle, the Party has forged the tradition of being fully connected to the people, making serving the people its goal and motivation for which it strives. The Document of the 13th Party Congress continues to deeply grasp the concept of “considering the people our root”, “The people are the center and the subject of the renovation, development and defense of the Fatherland; all undertakings and policies shall be fully based on the people’s life, aspirations, rights and legitimate interests, setting the people’s happiness and well-being as the for which we strive”⁽⁷⁾.

One of the most important aspects clearly presenting the role of the Party holding power is to thoroughly and harmoniously deal with the relationship between the Party, the State and socio-political organizations; properly implementing the mechanism: the Party leads - the State manages - the People own. In order to fulfill its glorious mission, the Party shall simultaneously lead the synchronous and comprehensive implementation of economic, political, cultural and social aspects, national defense, security and foreign affairs for the goal of: a rich people, a strong country, democracy, justice and civilization.

Our Constitution stipulates: The Communist Party of Vietnam is the force that leads the State and society. The Platform for National Development in the Transitional Period to Socialism (added and developed in 2011) continues to affirm: “The Communist Party of Vietnam is the Party in power, leading the State and society of Vietnam”⁽⁸⁾. The Party Charter stipulates: “The Communist Party of Vietnam is the Party in power, etc. The Party leads the political system and is also a part of that system”⁽⁹⁾.

In fact, the Party’s leadership role over the State and society is developed on a synchronous legal basis, reflected in the system of legal documents and consensus, which is confirmed in the charter and regulations of the related organizations such as the Youth Union, Veterans Association, Trade Union, etc., not by the “unilateral” regulation of the Party Platform and Charter. This is an important factor to ensure the legitimacy, constitutionality and legality of the leadership and ruling role of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

After 92 years of leading the revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam has affirmed that it is the most genuine party to lead the revolution, the party in power, the only one leading the country, the decisive factor in all the victories of the revolution. Since its establishment until today, the Party has always stood on the stance of the working class, has absolutely been loyal to the interests of the class, the people and the nation, considering that as the starting point and the goal of all the policies and guidelines. Therefore, Vietnam does not need and accept any “political pluralism and multi-party” regime. The political system in Vietnam only recognizes the “monism” regime under the leadership of the Party and carries out all activities based on the interests of the people without any other interest.

With the efforts of the entire Party, people and army, Vietnam has continuously promoted democracy and citizenship rights towards, developing a truly democratic society in which all citizens enjoy the achievement of democracy, all social operations are carried out under the motto “the people know, the people discuss, the people perform, the people monitor, the people supervise and the people benefit”.

3. The Communist Party of Vietnam is the only Party leading and holding the power in Vietnam

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the movements to struggle for national liberation in Vietnam in the direction of feudalism and bourgeois democracy fell into a stalemate. At that time, all the parties and political organizations could not fulfill the role of “driving” when the country was in danger. Only the Communist Party of Vietnam set the right revolutionary goals, guidelines, and strategies, meeting the historical requirements of the nation and the times so the Party was recognized as the one to lead the revolution.

During the 30 years of the resistance war to liberate the nation from the invasion of the French colonialists and the US imperialists (1945 - 1975), under the leadership of the Party, the Vietnamese people gained a glorious victory and firmly defended our national independence and freedom.

After the Great Victory in the Spring of 1975, Vietnam was unified. The Party has led the whole country to develop socialism and carry out the renovation with appropriate and creative steps and methods, achieving success in all fields. Moreover, the fact that Vietnam has overcome the Covid-19 pandemic so the whole country will soon return to a new normal operating state, has confirmed that monism politics under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam has been increasingly consolidated, comprehensively developed, once again affirming the objective necessity: The Communist Party of Vietnam is the only Party leading the cause of national development and defense without the existence of other parties.

Despite the glorious victories, throughout its history, the Party cannot avoid weaknesses, shortcomings, and even mistakes. However, the Party does not deny or hide but courageously acknowledges, faces, and seriously criticizes and corrects its shortcomings, renovates, and corrects itself to respond to the people’s beliefs and expectations through its efforts to bring sustainable development to the country. “Our macro-economy is stable, inflation is controlled, our growth is maintained at a fairly high level; the potential, scale and competitiveness of the economy are raised, etc., assuring socio-political stability; constantly strengthening national defense – security, etc., enhancing Vietnam’s position and prestige in the international arena”⁽¹⁰⁾.

These achievements prove that only the Communist Party of Vietnam is capable of leading the people in constructing and developing a prosperous, free and happy life. However, reactionary, and hostile forces always exploit, exaggerate and criticize the Party’s shortcomings and mistakes to accuse the Communist Party of Vietnam of not being capable of leading the revolution under these new conditions. One of the most propagandized and often used allegation by hostile forces against Vietnam is a lack political pluralism and multi-party systems. They assume that “multi-party is equal democracy, and one-party is equal to dictatorship”. Therefore, they claim that to gain real democracy, “pluralism and a multi-party system” needs to be realized, etc. These are misrepresentations aimed at inciting and dividing the Party, State and people in order to abolish the socialist democracy in Vietnam and break up the great national unity bloc. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the arguments of those who want to realize a multi-party system in Vietnam and use reality to refute those wrong and hostile views.

In terms of both theory and practice, Vietnam needs only one party to lead and hold power - the Communist Party of Vietnam. This is shown on the following grounds: (i) The leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam is inevitable and objective, stemming from practical historical requirements and meeting the aspirations of the Vietnamese people; (ii) The Communist Party of Vietnam’s leadership of the State and society is legitimate, constitutional and lawful as affirmed in the legal documents of Vietnam; (iii) The Party is the faithful representative of the interests of the worker class, the working people and the Vietnamese nation; (iv) The leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam has been practically tested through its successes, particularly at historical turning points and difficult times for the nation; (v) The Vietnamese people acknowledge and support the Communist Party of Vietnam as the sole leading party in power.

Over more than 9 decades since its establishment and its leadership of the revolution, the Communist Party of Vietnam has affirmed its irreplaceable position and role in the Vietnamese revolutionary cause. With the model of political monism, a single party holding power, the Communist Party of Vietnam has led the entire nation to achieve many great achievements: continuously developing the economy; ensuring a stable socio-political life; appreciating and promoting democracy more widely; respecting the people’s legitimate rights and interests; The people have the owners of the country. That practice proves that under the monism regime, the democracy in Vietnamese society is not only maintained and prevented from restraints but also guaranteed and promoted in practice n  

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Received: November 10, 2022; Revised: December 11, 2022; Approved for publication: December 19, 2022.

l Endnotes:

(1), (7), (10) CPV: Documents of the 13th National Party Congress, vol.I, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2021, pp.104, 27-28, 77- 78.

(2) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.15, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.611-612.

(3) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.8, ibid, p.13.

(4), (5) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.5, ibid, pp.289, 290.

(6) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.4, ibid, p.51.

(8) CPV: Documents of the 11th National Party Congress, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.88.

(9) CPV: Charter of the Communist Party of Vietnam, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2019, pp.5-6.

Dr. NGUYEN DINH QUYNH

Political Academy Region I