Self-evolution (SE) and Self-transformation “ST” are internal changes of each cadre and party member from perception to action making them totally a different person, or even transform them from a good person to a bad one. In the worst possibility, they may counter the Party, the State and the people. Nowadays, as a consequence of the severe sabotage of the hostile forces, SE and ST tend to become more complicated in the Party, the political system and in the society. A number of cadres and party members become disoriented and skeptical about the leadership of the Party, the goals, ideal and the path to socialism in Vietnam. In the field of ideology, recently, there have appeared the so called “open letter”, “petition” of some cadres and party members, including high-ranking ones, which express adverse opinions to the Party’s guidelines and policies and demand pluralism, civil society, depoliticalization of the armed forces, the abandonment of the Article 4 in the Constitution, etc. These petitions are extremely dangerous because when political ideology of a number of cadres and party members is degraded or disoriented, the political system may be weakened, separated or even collapsed. Lenin’s teaching that: “No one can destroy us but our own mistakes… If our mistakes separate us, collapse is inevitable,…” is still of value today. This is why over the past years, hostile forces have drastically taken  ideological sabotages against us. They try to deny and distort Marxism – Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the Party viewpoints and guidelines; defame and talk badly of the Party and State leaders, senior cadres with the aim to make the whole Party, people and troop dispirited. Therefore, preventing SE and ST must be connected with the combat to defeat hostile force’s strategy of “peaceful evolution”. Ideological degradation may lead to degradation in ethic and lifestyle, corruption, wastefulness, group interest, preaches of discipline, etc. In its turn, the degradation in ethic and lifestyle can not be disregarded as it may be the origin of SE and ST in political ideology.

In economic aspect, some cadres and Party members hold that our Party is not capable of running the economy. They do not accept the socialist-oriented market economy and deny the leading role of the state-owned economy. They demand that the whole economy be privatized; the publicly owned mechanism of production materials be eradicated and replaced by a private one. In the realm of defence and security, some demand the “depoliticalization” of the armed forces and that the military be a neutral force standing outside politic and not being put under the leadership of the Party, etc.

As for the Military Party, though the vast majority of military cadres and party members are politically steadfast and absolutely loyal to the Party, the country and the people, there are still some who are degraded in ethic and lifestyle; violate the military discipline and the State’s law; disunite; overestimate the role of weaponry while disregard the role of political and spiritual factor, etc. This is vulnerable to the sabotage of hostile forces which has negative impact on the strength and combat capability of the military.

These manifestations of SE and ST are really becoming one of the primary threats to the existence and development of the Party and socialist regime in our country which should soon be corrected. Preventing SE and ST is now an urgent task of the whole Party and each party organization and member. It is required that synchronous solutions should be carried out with focuses on the following matters:

First, resolutely struggle to protect and sustain the Party’ ideology. This is a prerequisite in this complex struggle. Accordingly, the whole Party should be persistent and active in fighting against  the wrongful arguments distorting and denying Marxism – Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. To that end, it is required that each cadre and party member equip themselves with right awareness, political stance and a scientific methodology so that they are immune to hostile forces’ arguments. Each unit and agency should strengthen propagation and education to make all cadres and party members fully aware of the revolutionary and scientific nature of Marxism – Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. This is still the most progressive, humane ideology and also the base, methodology for building the new society – socialist society, for peace, happiness, equality and progress of human kind. Thereby, belief and steadfastness in the goal and ideal of national independence and socialism are further strengthened.

Second, effectively implement the Party’s lines and State’s laws and policies; make a breakthrough in economic, social development, defence, security and diplomacy, not to leave room for hostile forces' strategies of peaceful evolution, SE, and ST. When stability is maintained, economy is developed, people’s life is improved, there will be no chance for the “Peaceful evolution” strategy of hostile forces. The Party and State should promote democracy, uphold the contribution of all cadres, party members and people both domestic and abroad to draw out suitable strategies and create social consensus. Besides, strengthening the combat against corruption, wastefulness, group interest is also an important solution contributing to the socio – economic development, consolidating the belief of cadres, party members and people in the Party and State.

Third, strengthen management, education and training for party members, particularly on the aspect revolutionary moral to enhance their resistance against the adverse effect of market economy, the enticement of hostile forces. Party committees should adopt synchronous measures in which studying and following Ho Chi Minh Thought, moral and style in accordance with the Decree 05 of the Politburo (XII tenure) and the Party Central Resolution 4 (XI tenure) on Party building must be considered the basic and regular solution which need effective leadership and implementation. Carry on checking, supervision work; opportunely detect and overcome shortcomings and wrongdoings of cadres and party members with the guideline of: “active prevention, mainly focusing on internal sustenance and self protection”; pay attention to the work of protecting  internal politic; promote the role of cadres in charge and the practice of action going hand in hand with word, diligence, thrift, honesty, integrity. These cadres should be really comprehensively exemplary for other to follow.

Fourth, promote the combat and prevention of SE and ST in the armed forces, particularly the People’s Army. To that end, the Military Party should be built really pure and strong; the leading and combat  capability of party organizations should be enhanced so that the Party’s absolute and comprehensively direct leadership over the military is maintained and strengthened. Party committees and commanders at all levels must regularly pay attention to educating, training, and managing their cadres and party members pursuant to the Party principles and Charter, the Military regulations, State’s law so that they become really red and expert and the core force in building the military revolutionary, regular, seasoned and gradually modern. At each level, the quality and effectiveness of ideological work should be enhanced to make cadres and party members grasp the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines, their assigned tasks and ready to fight and sacrifice to firmly protect the Vietnam socialist Fatherland in any situations.

Lieutenant General Dang Nam Dien