The great national unity is a crucial content, throughout the party's guideline and strategy, a source of immense strength and the decisive factor for the victory of the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. This consistent viewpoint is reaffirmed by the Party in Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW, dated 24 November 2023, on “Continuing to promote the tradition and strength of great national unity, constructing a flourishing and happy nation”, which clearly defines the viewpoint, objectives, main tasks and solutions that need to be thoroughly understood and implemented resolutely, creatively, effectively, suitable to each target, social class, locality, and region.

The great national unity is a precious tradition, an enduring cultural value in the thousands-year history of the Vietnamese people. Especially in the face of natural disasters, enemy-inflicted destruction, the spirit of national unity, the tradition of "national consolidation" has been nurtured and promoted generations by generations. In the country's renewal process, particularly since Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW, dated 12 March 2003, of the Central Executive Committee (9th tenure) on “Promoting the strength of great national unity for a prosperous people, a strong nation, a just, democratic and civilised society” was issued, many new guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the government on great national unity have been promulgated, with consistent principles: (1). The great national unity must always be considered as a crucial content, throughout the party’s guideline and strategy, taking the goal of building Viet Nam into a wealthy, strong, democratic, just, and civilised country as a rallying point to unite all forces, classes, and layers of the population into the common, supreme interests of the entire nation. (2). The great national unity is an endless source of strength and the decisive factor for the victory of the revolutionary cause. Wherever and whenever in our country, if unity is lost, then the revolution will suffer losses. “Unity or death!” - this revolutionary slogan strengthens the actions of every Vietnamese patriot, making them more vigorous, resilient, and effective. (3). The great national unity must be truly solidified among social classes, layers in society, among communities of different Vietnamese ethnic groups, among compatriots of different beliefs, religions, between those adhering to different religious beliefs, between Vietnamese people in the country and Vietnamese people abroad, between the people of Vietnam and the people advocating peace and progress worldwide, reflecting the combination of national strength with the strength of the eras. The bloc of great national unity must be led by the Communist Party of Viet Nam, based on a solid foundation from the alliance between the working class, the peasant class, and the intellectual class. (4). The great national unity must first and foremost be concentrated in the strong and enduring relationship between the Party and the people, in the genuine trust of the people in the Party, the government and the socialist regime.

Thanks to the thorough implementation of the viewpoint, the bloc of great national unity continues to be strengthened, creating momentum to drive socio-economic development, ensuring material and spiritual well-being for the people, guaranteeing social security, gradually narrowing the gap between regions, areas, ethnic groups, maintaining political and social stability, enhancing social consensus and strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the government. The tradition and strength of great national unity are consolidated, enhanced, and promoted, making significant contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, so that “our country has never had such fortune, potential, position, and international prestige as it does today”.

However, during the implementation process, a part of executive committee and organisations have not fully and deeply aware of the position and the importance of promoting the tradition and strength of great national unity while a part of cadres, party members, civil servants, and officials have not been truly exemplary and closed to the people, respected them, listened to and timely resolved the legitimate grievances, rights and interests of the people associated with specific tasks and areas. The operation of the mechanism “Party leads, government manages, people master” and the principle “People know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise and people benefit” still has limitations. The content and operation methods of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other political-social organisations have not been actively renewed; the roles and effectiveness of mass organisations, especially at the grassroots level, have not met requirements, etc.

Currently, globalisation and international integration are deepening, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution has opened up both fundamental opportunities and challenges for the ongoing renewal process in our country. These factors directly impact the construction and promotion of the strength of the bloc of great national unity. Therefore, “continuing to promote tradition, the strength of the great national unity, enhancing social consensus, vigorously igniting the patriotic spirit, national self-reliance, belief, aspiration for dedication and building a prosperous, happy nation” is not only an urgent goal and requirement, but also a fundamental long-term objective identified in Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW. This needs to be thoroughly understood and effectively implemented, focusing on the following key contents and solutions.

Firstly, raising the awareness and responsibility of party committees, party organisations, political systems at all levels, and the entire population regarding the position and importance of promoting the tradition and strength of the great national unity. This is the first important task and solution identified in Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW that needs to be thoroughly understood, rigorously and effectively implemented. To achieve this, it is necessary to continue researching, learning, and deeply understanding, creating strong transformations in the perception of party committees, party organisations, political systems, officials, party members, and the general public about the position and importance of promoting the tradition and strength of the great national unity in the new period. Therefore, enhancing the responsibility in leadership, direction, coherent and effective implementation of strategies and solutions to strengthen, reinforce and promote the tradition and strength of the great national unity in the cause of renewal, construction, and defence of the Fatherland. Continuing to intensify innovation, diversify forms of mobilisation, propaganda, and education. Emphasising the effectiveness of mass media, cultural and artistic forms; coordinating comprehensively between domestic and foreign information; closely integrating the propaganda and education of the great national unity tradition with propaganda on the party's guidelines and strategies, government laws and policies, development achievements, the images of the country and Vietnamese people,... to ignite national pride and dignity. Enhancing vigilance, proactively identifying, detecting, preventing and promptly addressing schemes, tactics, and actions aiming to divide the people from the Party and the government, sabotaging the bloc of great national unity.

State President Vo Van Thuong meets pretigious people of ethnic minorities in 2023

Secondly, completing the policies and directives regarding the great national unity, igniting the will and aspirations for the country's development. Continuing to refine the policies and directives on promoting the tradition and strength of the great national unity in the new era; enhancing the roles of social classes; igniting the potential and creativity of every Vietnamese people. Focusing on building a strong working class, a prosperous agricultural class; developing a robust intellectual and entrepreneurial workforce. Enhancing the education of the younger generation, nurturing the construction of modern Vietnamese people; leveraging the roles of veterans and the experience of the elderly. Promoting equality, unity, supportive among ethnic groups and harnessing its internal strength to develop together; effectively carrying out mobilisation, solidarity work, and gathering religious organisations. Valuing support and protection for citizens abroad to ensure their solid legal status, social integration, and active contribution to their present country. Providing appropriate policies and incentives to attract overseas Vietnamese to invest, produce, do business and contribute positively to the nation's building and defence. Advancing theoretical research, summarising practical experience, developing, and implementing the Strategy for the great national unity until 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

Thirdly, building the Party and rectifying its political system to be clean and strong; enhancing unity and consensus within the Party, maintaining its core leadership role in building and promoting the tradition and strength of great national unity. Continuing to thoroughly implement the Central Resolution 4 (12th tenure) and Conclusion 21-KL/TW of the Central Executive Committee (13th tenure). Strengthening the fight against corruption and negative phenomena; preventing, countering, and strictly handling cases of Party members and officials who deviate from political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, exhibiting "self-evolution", "self-transformation". Fulfilling the exemplary role of Party members and cadres, especially those in leadership positions at all levels of party committees and government; consolidating and enhancing the people's trust in the Party's leadership, tightening the close relationship between Party and the people. Focusing on building a team of cadres, officials and Party members, especially strategic-level cadres and leaders with sufficient qualities, capabilities, and credibility, deeply rooted, promoting a sense of service and strong connection with the people, always acting for the interests and happiness of the people, relying on the people to supervise and evaluate cadres. Using the results of work, satisfaction, and trust of the people as important criteria for evaluating the quality of party organisations, officials, and party members. Strengthening unity and consensus within the Party as a solid foundation for building unity within the political system and the great national unity bloc; regularly innovating methods and enhancing the Party's leadership capacity to meet the requirements of new situations; maintaining the Party's core leadership role in preserving, promoting the tradition and strength of the great national unity.

Fourthly, enhancing the role, effectiveness, and efficiency of the government in promoting the tradition and strength of the great national unity. Continuing to build and complete the Vietnamese socialist rule-of-law government of the people, by the people and for the people, led by the Party. For the activities of the government to be truly effective and efficient, it is necessary to pay attention to constructing a comprehensive, timely, synchronous, feasible, transparent, and stable legal system. Additionally, policies and laws should be formulated and promulgated based on the demands and aspirations, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the people, ensuring the people's sovereignty, and harmonising social interests. All activities of government agencies, cadres, party members and civil servants must serve the people; aiming for the welfare and happiness of the people as the goal and measure of work effectiveness; timely addressing issues related to people's lives, especially those of public concern; and implementing ethnic and religious policies correctly.

Fifthly, promoting socialist democracy, the potential and creativity of the people. Organising the implementation of democratic laws at the grassroots level and adhering to the principle of “People know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise and people benefit” in all types of organisations and grassroots units. Enhancing the people's sovereignty in all areas of social life. Promoting democracy alongside with strengthening discipline and order in society; enhancing social consensus while emphasising the sense of responsibility of citizens; strictly dealing with the exploitation of democracy to sabotage the Party, the government and to divide the great national unity bloc. The ministries, departments, sectors, and specialised agencies need to enhance their responsibilities, conduct research, and provide recommendations to the Party and the government for promptly supplementing and issuing regulations on the responsibilities of citizens, cadres, civil servants, employees in implementing democracy at the grassroots level.

Sixthly, innovating the content and operational methods of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political and socio-economic organisations; intensifying mass mobilisation efforts and mobilising all resources for national development; organising practical and effective patriotic emulation campaigns and movements. In order for the Vietnam Fatherland Front to truly serve as a political alliance, a voluntary union representing the legitimate will, aspirations, rights, and lawful interests of the people; ensuring cooperation, coordination, and unified action with member organisations, in the upcoming time, it is necessary to take vigorous and robust innovation in the content and operational methods of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels from central to grassroots level. Innovating organisational forms and enhancing the effectiveness of the “The Great National Unity Day”; mobilising and guiding the promotion of the positive aspects of traditional community forms, timely rectifying deviant expressions. Strengthening the core political role and political responsibilities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political and socio-economic organisations in building the great national unity bloc. Emphasising the construction and enhancement of the quality of cadres of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political and socio-economic organisations, mass organisations with good political qualities, ethics, leadership capacity, credibility, enthusiasm, responsibility, and work experience. Proactively innovating the organisation of campaigns and movements towards practical and effective directions, focusing strongly on grassroots participation, truly making people become the subject in labour, production, creativity, economic development, building new countryside, civilised urban areas, enriching families and country, consolidating and promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc. Completing the system of regulations, mechanisms, and policies on emulation, commendation; paying attention to and effectively implementing the work of honouring and commending exemplary individuals and organisations; actively discovering, nurturing, and replicating exemplary models and practices to strongly promote patriotic emulation movements.

Great national unity is the cause of the entire people, the responsibility of the Party and the entire political system; the victory of the Vietnamese revolution can only be achieved when the great national unity bloc continues to be built, consolidated, and developed vigorously, firmly within the entire Party, people, army, and throughout society. We believe that with the effective operation of the Party's leadership mechanism, the government's management, and the people's mastery, along with the traditions and strength of the great national unity bloc, will be effectively promoted, contributing to the construction of a prosperous, flourishing, civilised, and happy nation.

PhD. MACH QUANG THANG