Promoting the tradition and qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers", the Vietnam Association of Veterans (VAV) always attaches great importance to making the organisation comprehensively strong, in which, its political and ideological strength is considered both a goal and a driving force, creating a solid foundation for the Association to well perform its functions and tasks, making positive contributions to the cause of Fatherland construction and defence.

As a socio-political organisation which is absolutely loyal, reliable and credible of the Party, State and People, over the years, VAV has always thoroughly grasped and well implemented the directives and resolutions of the Party on veterans' work, especially the direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on "Paying attention to building the Vietnam Association of Veterans strong in politics, ideology and organisation" with many effective contents and forms practical results. The results it achieved have confirmed its important role in the political system, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals of the cause of national construction and defence.

However, the downside of the market mechanism coupled with the fierce sabotage of hostile forces in all areas of social life are inflicting negative effects on each level of the Association and its members, requiring that VAV is further built strong in politics and ideology, with many synchronous and effective solutions, as a basis for making it comprehensively strong, meeting the requirements of tasks in the new situation. In particular, it is necessary to focus on performing well the following measures:

First, regularly maintaining the leadership of the Party. On the basis of the direct and comprehensive leadership of the Party committee at the same level and the direction of the Executive Board of the upper-level, levels of the Association should continue to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the Party and State’s directives and resolutions on veteran work, especially the Resolution of the 7th National Congress of the Vietnam Association of Veterans, Resolutions of levels of the Association for the 2022 - 2027 term and the thematic resolution on building the Association strong politically and ideologically. At the same time, it is necessary to research and review the 20 years of implementation of Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW, dated January 8, 2002 of the Politburo on "Strengthening the Party's leadership in Vietnam Veteran work in the new revolutionary period”; actively advise and propose to the Party Central Committee to issue a new resolution to strengthen the Party's leadership over veteran work for the current period. In addition, levels of the Association and all officials, party members and members must be exemplary in observing the Party's Charter and regulations, the Ordinance on Vietnam Veterans, the Charter of the Association; focus on improving the quality of research, grasping and implementing the resolutions of the Party, the Association’s Central Committee, local party committees and authorities, contributing to quickly putting that resolutions into life.

VAV presents house of gratitude to its needy member

Second, improving the quality and effectiveness of political education and ideological orientation for its cadres and members. Levels of the Associations should really attach importance to innovating contents, forms and methods of conducting political and ideological education for its cadres and members. In particular, it is necessary to focus on educating and fostering political theory, implementing the Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW, dated May 18, 2021 of the Politburo (13 tenure) on "Continuing to implement the Directive No. Decree No. 05-CT/TW, dated May 15, 2016 of the Politburo (12th tenure) on promoting the learning and following of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and style", associated with Conclusion No. 21- KL/TW, October 25, 2021 of the Party Central Committee (13 tenure) on building and rectifying the Party and the political system. Strengthen propaganda on the traditions of the Party, the revolutionary cause, the nation, the Army, the Association and the locality. Have timely orientation of awareness and thought for officials and members concerning issues of public concern, not to let hostile forces incite and sabotage.

Third, making the cadres of the Association at all levels typical in morality and capability. In order to build the Association at all levels strong politically and ideologically, its cadres must be really typical in terms of quality, capability, methods and working style. They must be the nucleus of solidarity in each Association organisation and the bridge between the Veteran Association and organisations of the political system and people of all strata. Therefore, the Party Committee, Standing Committee, Executive Committee of the Associations at all levels should firmly grasp the views, goals, requirements, guidelines and measures to build the cadres of the Party and the Association. At the same time, properly assess the quality of the cadres at their respective levels, promptly advise, propose, and introduce to the Party committees at all levels the guidelines and measures to lead and build the cadres of the Association strong. Along with that, strengthen the management, training and fostering of the Association's staff through practical activities. The cadres of the Association at all levels, especially the presiding and key ones in charge of propaganda and education must regularly cultivate and practise their moral qualities and improve their capability, methods and experiences in conducting political and ideological education; firmly grasp the functions, tasks and situation of the Association, promptly advise, propose and effectively carry out educational, propaganda, emulation and movement activities of the Association; always stay close and attach to the members and the people.

Fourth, building the Association’s internal solidarity, and affirming its role in the great national unity bloc. Solidarity is a precious tradition of our Party, our people and VAV. That is also the invincible strength to firmly defend the Fatherland. In the new period, in order for the entire Association to be politically and ideologically strong, all levels of the Association need to pay attention to building, consolidating and promoting the spirit of internal solidarity. In particular, the Standing Committee and Executive Committee at all levels must be exemplary and the centre of solidarity to gather collective strength in each Association organisation; cadres and members need to promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers", respect and uphold comradeship, and build the blood and flesh solidarity with each other for fulfilling all tasks. On the basis of the signing and effective implementation of coordination programs between the Central Committee of the Association and the Central Commissions, Ministries, sectors, mass organisations, the Veterans Association at all levels should actively sign the coordination programs with departments, branches, units stationed in the area, local mass organisations to implement national programs, goals, and movements, such as: "All people unite and build new countryside, civilised cities", "Gratitude repaying", "Remembering the source when drinking water", "For the poor", "All people protect national security", "Veterans participate in hunger eradication and poverty alleviation",... contributing to firmly consolidating the great national unity bloc.

Fifth, actively and proactively fighting against wrong and hostile views, and internal "self-evolution", "self-transformation". The Association at all levels should continue to thoroughly grasp and raise awareness of its cadres and members about the "peaceful evolution" strategy, the plots and tricks of the hostile forces, especially their laverage of the issues of “freedom”, “democracy”, “human rights”, “race”, “religion”, etc. to distort the views and guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the State in cyberspace. The 35 Steering Committee of the Association's Central Committee should promptly direct the relevant authorities to develop orthodox and highly oriented information topics; direct the cultural institutions of the Association, first of all the Vietnam Veterans Newspaper, the Veterans Newsletter to fight effectively against wrong and hostile views; promote the roles and responsibilities of the members of  Steering Committee 35, and regularly grasp the Association's activities and orient and promptly solve the issues related to the thought and opinion of its cadres and members. This is also one of the important contents for building each level of the Association and its members strong politically and ideologically, creating a foundation for building VAV comprehensively strong, worthy of being a reliable support of the Party committees, authorities and people in the cause of national construction and defence.

Lieutenant General KHUAT VIET DUNG, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Veterans