Resolution No. 847-NQ/QUTW, dated 28 December 2021, issued by the Central Military Party Committee on promoting the qualities of “Uncle Ho's Soldiers'' and resolutely opposes individualism in the new situation has identified ten manifestations of individualism, with “fading, betraying revolutionary goals and ideals'' being the highest-level expression. The struggle against this manifestation is  important to preventing “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”, stopping and eradicating the decline of political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and individualism within the ranks of officers and party members, perpetuating the noble qualities of “Uncle Ho's Soldiers'' in the new era.

Identifying manifestations of fading revolutionary goals and ideals:

National independence and socialism are the consistent goals and revolutionary ideals of the Party and the Vietnamese people, they are the correct path, suitable for the current era, to lead our country to continuous and perpetual development, and the prosperity of our people. This is also the fighting goal and ideal of our military. Over the past nearly 80 years, the cadre, party members, and soldiers in the military have always been imbued and ready to fight and sacrifice for these goals. However, due to various objective and subjective reasons, some cadres and party members show signs of ideological decay, fading revolutionary goals, and ideals of the Party. These manifestations are evident in several fundamental aspects:

Firstly, being vague and skeptical about the ideals of socialism and communism; fluctuating and lacking confidence in the revolutionary goals, the ideological foundation of the Party; incorrect or incomplete understanding of the Party's guidelines, viewpoints, government policies and laws; not firmly adhering to the path of socialist construction; following distorted perceptions and wrong viewpoints; losing direction in striving forward.

Secondly, wavering in stance, misconception in class viewpoints, aligning with the viewpoints of hostile forces, political elements and believing that there should be multiple ideologies and parties. In fact, some cadres and party members, despite having a revolutionary tradition or families with a revolutionary history, were influenced and manipulated by propaganda from reactionary forces and turned against the revolutionary goals and ideals of the Party, distorted Marxist-Leninist ideology and Ho Chi Minh's thought, spoke ill of the Party, the Government, and the socialist regime in Vietnam.

Thirdly, being indifferent, not daring to protect what is right, and to fight against what is wrong; no longer dedicating oneself for the country, the people and the organisation, leading to an incomplete fulfillment of assigned duties and tasks.

Fourthly, getting entangled in “selfish thinking”, “group interests”, exploiting positions, authority, responsibilities, and tasks to embezzle, engage in corruption, negatively impacting the country's assets, violating the Party's discipline, violating government laws, and military discipline.

Struggle against manifestations of “fading revolutionary goals and ideals” among a section of cadres and Party members

The manifestations of individualism, fading revolutionary goals and ideals are extremely dangerous; they erode the qualities of “Uncle Ho's Soldiers”, causing damage to the revolutionary cause, overall quality, combat strength, and the fulfillment of tasks by organisations, units, and the military. Therefore, resolute struggle, timely prevention and rectification of these manifestations is an urgent task, requiring the implementation of comprehensive solutions.

Firstly, Party Committees and its organisation must promote a fighting spirit in self-criticism and criticism, clearly identify and resolutely struggle against manifestations of “fading revolutionary goals and ideals”. Signs of decay among a section of cadres and party members are diverse, appearing at various levels and can be concealed very subtly. Therefore, Party Committees and its organisation at all levels need to emphasize the fighting spirit through regular and continuous self-criticism and criticism, which helps the cadres, party members, and its organisations recognise and resolutely struggle against these manifestations, enabling mutual correction and improvement. President Ho Chi Minh has taught that self-criticism and criticism are the best and most effective methods for addressing shortcomings. To implement this effectively, Party Committees and its organisations must maintain regular and serious self-criticism and criticism mechanisms, while every cadre and party member must have the courage to confront their shortcomings and “speak out”, in the spirit of advancing the progress of the organisation and comrades, to fight against oneself, other comrades, and even superiors regarding manifestations of fading revolutionary goals and ideals. However, it is crucial to firmly avoid personal motives in self-criticism and criticism that may affect the credibility and qualities of the organisation, cadres, and party members.

Secondly, strengthen inspection, supervision and resolutely handle violation cases. This is a crucial solution to detect and prevent early signs of decay among cadres and party members, especially in the current situation. The 13th Party Congress Resolution has emphasized: "Continuously improve the effectiveness of Party inspection, supervision, and discipline; actively detect to early prevent and stop shortcomings, violations by Party organisations and members". Therefore, to strengthen the power in fighting and preventing manifestations of fading revolutionary goals and ideals, eradicate individualism, Party committees and its organisations, Party inspection committees at all levels need to enhance regular and surprise monitoring to timely alert, prevent, and handle violations. Inspection and supervision should be comprehensive, conducted regularly, focus on examining political ideology, adherence to Party principles and the implementation of Party guidelines. This process must be closely coordinated with internal political protection measures, administrative actions, and strict handling of organisations and individuals violating the spirit of having no "forbidden zones", removing from the Party and government apparatus those who show signs of degradation and deviation, ensuring the internal cleanliness of the organisation.

Thirdly, tightly integrate "building" with "combating", enhance political education for cadres and party members. This is a fundamental and continuous solution to ensure that every cadre and party member maintains a deep awareness of revolutionary goals and ideals. The educational work must cover all content, but it should focus on core issues, including Marxist-Leninist ideology, Ho Chi Minh's thoughts, revolutionary goals and ideals, Party resolutions and directives, moral values of integrity, frugality, and selflessness, as well as a lifelong commitment to serving the Fatherland and the people by party members and cadres. During education, it is essential to point out and resolutely combat incorrect perceptions, distorted arguments, and specific manifestations of political, ethical, and lifestyle decay. Build a cadre and party member team with strong political determination, fostering a sense of honour, pride, and dedication, overcoming all difficulties and challenges, "overcoming oneself" against the material temptations, fame, position, and the provocation of hostile forces, striving to achieve revolutionary goals and ideals, excellently fulfilling assigned tasks.

Fourthly, building clean and strong Party organisations, creating a favourable environment for training and fighting against signs of decay among cadres and party members. Party organisations are where party members engage and work, as well as where they are managed, educated, and trained. Therefore, to effectively fight against manifestations of decay among cadres and party members, the fundamental and urgent solution lies in building clean and robust Party organisations in politics, ideology, ethics, organisation and cadres. Party organisations need to adhere to and strictly implement Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW, dated 25 October 2021, of the Central Executive Committee (13th tenure) on enhancing the construction and rectification of the Party and the political system; resolutely preventing and strictly handling cadres and party members who exhibit decay in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and the manifestations of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation” in line with Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW, dated 18 May 2021, of the Political Bureau(13th tenure) on continuing to strengthen learning and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style, the movement to promoting traditions and honouring the legacy of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers” in the new era, and Resolution No. 847 of the Central Military Commission, etc. Therefore, enhance the leadership capacity and fighting spirit of Party organisations, especially their ability to combat negative phenomena and manifestations of decay and individualism among cadres and party members.

Fifthly, promote the consciousness of "self-reflection, self-improvement" in the moral training of each cadre and party member. Fading revolutionary goals and ideals, as one of the manifestations of individualism, stimulate “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”. Neglect, underestimation and a lack of awareness in cultivating and developing political qualities, ethics, and lifestyle can lead to decadence, corruption, and even betrayal of the Fatherland. In fact, cadre and party member violations of the law fundamentally stem from a lack of moral training and ethical cultivation. Therefore, each cadre and party member must uphold the spirit of "self-reflection, self-improvement", regularly engage in moral training and ethical cultivation in thought, thinking, and action. President Ho Chi Minh taught, "Revolutionary morality does not fall from the sky. It develops and consolidates through persistent daily struggles and training. Like a gem that becomes brighter with polishing, and gold that becomes purer with refinement". Therefore, each cadre and party member needs to enhance their awareness of self-cultivation and ethical training. This requirement isn't just from the party committee and organisation; it's a personal commitment to continuous self-improvement. To achieve this, every cadre and party member must have a high determination, establish plans for self-cultivation and training; register with the party committee to be monitored and encouraged; undergo regular evaluations to promptly address shortcomings and weaknesses.

Individualism, manifested as "fading, betraying revolutionary goals and ideals" among a portion of officials and party members, though initially restrained, continues to develop in a complex manner. It weakens and significantly impacts the strength, unity, and cohesion within each party organisation, diminishing the revolutionary qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" and reducing the fighting power of our military. The struggle against individualism is an urgent and continuous task that requires a deep understanding and strong political determination from Party Committees, Party organisations and units; demands resolute and proactive actions, along with innovative implementation of comprehensive solutions. This effort aims not only to cultivate a cadre of members who are both dedicated and proficient but also to eliminate signs of fading revolutionary goals and ideals, eradicating individualism and perpetuating the admirable qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" in the new era.

Sr. Col., Dr. NGUYEN VAN VI