Building the Party in morality is an urgent issue that has been paid much attention by our Party. The 12^th National Congress of the Party considered the task of Party building in morality of equal importance to building the Party in politics, ideology and organisation. That view was inherited, supplemented and perfected by the 13^th National Party Congress with many synchronous contents and solutions.

Building the Party in ethics was clearly stated by leader Nguyen Ai Quoc - Ho Chi Minh right in the early days of the Party’s foundation. In his book Revolutionary Road published in 1927, Nguyen Ai Quoc mentioned 23 revolutionary qualities that are still relevant today. After the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, our Party became the ruling party; the requirements for building the Party in morality, hence, became more important. In a letter to the People's Committees at all levels dated October 17, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh pointed out the mistakes that some cadres and civil servants had committed, affecting the prestige of the Party, the Government and undermining people's trust. In his work Modifying working style, Ho Chi Minh clearly stated the revolutionary dignity and ethics, first of all the Dignity of a true revolutionary Party with 12 characters. The content of revolutionary morality was deeply analysed by him in five main characters: Humanity, Righteousness, Intellect, Courage, and Integrity. Regarding the role of revolutionary ethics, President Ho Chi Minh said: "That morality is not conservative. It is a new and great one; it is not for personal fame, but for the common interests of the Party, the nation, and mankind", “Revolutionary cadres must have morality, without morality, no matter how talented they are, they cannot lead the people".  In his historical testament, Ho Chi Minh reminded us that: “Our Party is a ruling party. Each party member and cadre must be truly imbued with revolutionary morality, especially industry, thrift, integrity, righteousness and impartiality. We must keep our Party pure and worthy of being a leader and faithful servant of the people".

Being imbued with Ho Chi Minh's morality and his instructions, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always upheld and paid attention to nurturing the revolutionary morality for its cadres and members. The Renewal cause initiated and led by our Party since 1986 has achieved great achievements of historical significance. However, it has also exposed our difficulties and challenges. In 1994, our Party identified four major threats, including corruption which is the deterioration of revolutionary morality of a part of cadres and party members. In addition to the four threats, there have appeared the "degradation in political thought, morality, lifestyle”, manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" in a part of cadres, party members and civil servants, the complicated situation of bureaucracy, corruption and wastefulness", which undermine the trust of cadres, party members and people in the Party and State. From that reality, the 12^th National Congress of the Party considered the task of Party building in morality as serious as building the Party in terms of politics, ideology and organisation. The 4^th Resolution of the Party Central Committee (12^th tenure) pointed out nine manifestations of deterioration in morality and lifestyle "which is a direct danger threatening the survival of the Party and the regime". The 13^th Party Congress also emphasised Party building in terms of politics, ideology, morality, organisation and personnel, in which, building Party in morality was highlighted.

Firstly, the self-cultivation of morality of cadres and party members must be put on top priority. The 13^th Congress of the Party stressed that: "Upholding the self-cultivation and self-nurturing in morality of cadres and party members". In the cause of national renovation, construction and development towards socialism, cadres and party members will face new challenges which require their self-cultivation and training in morality. The desire for property and power will easily lead them to corruption, wastefulness and social evils which are contrary to traditional social ethics. Individualism is a heavy challenge that influences the leadership, management and lifestyle of a part of cadres and party members, leading to partiality, faction, internal disunity, power struggles, authoritarianism, and lack of democracy, bureaucracy, and separation from the masses. The 13^th National Party Congress pointed out that cadres and party members need to clearly grasp their responsibilities and obligations, always be firm in the face of all difficulties and challenges, and "not be tempted by materials and fame”; constantly “uphold the sense of self-cultivation, and self-nurturing their revolutionary ethics throughout their life; regularly exercise "self-review" and "self-correction" and promote the honour and self-esteem of a party member”.

Second, strengthening the education of revolutionary morality in the entire Party according to the values and standards determined by the Party. The 13^th National Party Congress advocated that: "Promoting revolutionary moral education, regularly, extensively and effectively fostering the campaign of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and style in association with the implementation of political tasks”. Party building in ethics, recently, has been strongly promoted when the entire Party promoted the studying and following of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and style according to Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo (12^th tenure). Many examples and role models in studying and following Uncle Ho in all fields have made important contributions not only to Party building but also to promoting economic and social development and healthy social relations.

Ho Chi Minh's morality is absolutely loyal to the revolutionary ideal, for the independence and freedom of the nation, for socialism and the happy life of the people, for the sake of the country and the people; always put the interests of the nation, the revolution and the collective first and foremost. Ho Chi Minh's moral example is presented in his deep love for people, for the nation, for comrades, compatriots and the people in the world. Learning from Uncle Ho's moral example, our Party gradually forms moral standards for its members. The 13^th National Party Congress clearly stated the policy of: "Research, supplement and perfect revolutionary moral values in the spirit of "Our Party is moral and civilised" to suit new condition and fine traditional values of the nation. Building ethical standards as a basis for cadres and party members to self-regulate their behaviour in daily work”. Focusing on moral education throughout the Party: "Strengthening revolutionary moral education to make each cadre and party member clearly see their duties and responsibilities, always stay firm in face of difficulties, challenges and obstacles; not to be tempted by wealth and fame; effectively fighting against all manifestations of individualism, bureaucracy, opportunism, partiality, factions, and internal disunity”. Education on revolutionary morality represents a regular and very important task of party organisations from the central to grassroots levels. At the same time, it has been integrated into the training programs of the Party schools, in the schools of the political and national education system, and in the schools of the armed forces.

Third, uphold the exemplary role of cadres and party members. In the struggle for national liberation, many Party leaders and communist soldiers set examples of resilience and heroic sacrifice for the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. The cause of national construction and development also recognises bright moral examples of serving the Fatherland and the people. In any period of the revolution, elite cadres and party members always uphold their exemplary role, have a profound influence in the Party and are followed by cadres, party members and the people. However, in reality, there are still negative manifestations and deterioration in morality and lifestyle of a part of cadres and party members, so upholding their exemplary role is of great significance in Party building and improve the Party's leadership and ruling capacity. The 13^th Party Congress required that: "Strictly comply with the Party's regulations on the responsibility to set good examples. The higher position they hold, the more exemplary they should be, first of all, member of the Politburo, members of the Secretariat, member of the Party Central Committee. Party members voluntarily set good examples to affirm their leadership positions, pioneering and exemplary roles, creating spill-over effect and promoting revolutionary movements”. Setting good examples is a natural reflection of the nature and virtues of cadres and party members. Good examples come from the conscience and honour of the Party and the Communists and setting example is also the true style of cadres and party members. Setting example is the pioneering and revolutionary nature of cadres and party members, "Setting example must really become an important content in the Party's leadership method". In order to make it practical, it is necessary to have inspection and supervision to ensure the correct and effective implementation of the Party's regulations on the responsibility to set example. The 13^th Congress of the Party emphasised that: "To attach great importance to inspection and supervision within the Party in combination with promoting the supervisory role of the elected bodies, the Fatherland Front, the press and the people towards cadres and party members who implement regulations on example setting”. Such inspection and supervision is aimed at the "cultivation and practice of morality and lifestyle of cadres and party members, especially the leading and key ones".

Party building in ethics has a close relationship with Party building in politics, ideology, organisation and personnel. The improvement of revolutionary moral values and standards in the Party is a solid foundation for the Party to ensure its strength in politics, ideology, organisation and personnel. A Party that shines with revolutionary ethics is also the conscience, honour and belief as Uncle Ho's wish: "Our Party is moral and civilised".

Assoc Prof NGUYEN TRONG PHUC, PhD