On 9 November 2023, the Central Military Commission issued Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW (replacing Directive No. 124-CT/QUTW) regarding “The innovation and improvement of the quality of political education work in the new period," with practical objectives, requirements, tasks, solutions, coordinated  measures. To ensure that the directive is fully grasped by military members, Party committees, Party organisations, political commissars, and commanders at all levels need to thoroughly understand and earnestly implement Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW effectively, contributing to the innovation and improvement of the quality of political education work at their own unit, meeting the requirements of building the Military in the new situation.

In recent years, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and the General Political Department; Party committees, Party organisations, political commissars, and commanders at all levels throughout the Military have thoroughly adhered to and deeply grasped the position, role, and importance of political education in the new period. They have focused on leading, directing, and implementing Directive No. 124-CT/QUTW comprehensively, promptly, and effectively, leading to significant and effective changes in political education. In this process, they have identified practical and effective leadership principles solutions, creating breakthroughs in the innovation of political education programmes, contents, forms, and methods, made budgetary and infrastructure investment, and enhanced the pedagogical capacity and skills of the political teaching staff. In addition, political education has been consistently emphasised and prioritised in all activities of the entire military, across various mission areas, closely aligned with political tasks and activities of the troops. The emphasis has also been placed on enhancing political integrity and determination for the troops, preventing and pushing back erosions in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and signs of “self-evolution” and “self-transformation.” Furthermore, the Military aims to uphold and promote its glorious traditions, embodying the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers,” actively preventing and countering the subversive tactics and methods of hostile forces, such as “peaceful evolution” and “military de-politicisation”, etc. These efforts have contributed to the building of a robust political foundation for the Military, the preservation and enhancement of the absolute leadership in all aspects by the Party over the military. Additionally, the military continually reinforces its proletarian nature, the people’s character, and national qualities. It remains a reliable political force and an absolutely loyal fighting force to the Fatherland, the Party, the State, and the People, working towards building transparent and robust party organisations, with comprehensively strong and “exemplary, distinguished” units and agencies, capable of fulfilling all assigned tasks.

In the coming time, the cause of building and defending the Fatherland of our people faces both favourable opportunities and challenges, with intertwined difficulties and complexities, continuing to be influenced from multiple directions by the intricate and unpredictable regional and global situations. Domestically, hostile and reactionary forces intensify their sabotage efforts in all areas, with the Military being one of their key targets. The task of building the Military, strengthening national defence, and protecting the Fatherland imposes new and more demanding requirements, especially as the entire military intensifies the restructuring of its forces, working towards building an elite, compact, and powerful military with gradual modernity in the face of negative impacts from market economic challenges, social networks, etc. Given this situation, adhering to and implementing Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW of the Central Military Commission, all agencies and units across the Military must concentrate on leading and directing the comprehensive implementation of strategies and measures to enhance political education. In this regard, particular emphasis should be placed on effectively implementing some key priorities as follows.

Sr. Lt. Gen Trinh Van Quyet checks political education at Hai Phong Military Command (Photo credit: qdnd.vn)

First, continue fostering a significant transformation in the awareness, innovative thinking, and actions of Party committees, Party organisations, political commissars, and commanders at all levels regarding political education. One practical lesson drawn from the implementation review of Directive No. 124-CT/QUTW is the importance of accurately determining the position, role, and significance of political education. Therefore, it is crucial to concentrate on effective leadership, direction, and organisation for the successful execution of this vital task. Consequently, agencies and units must proactively organise extensive and thorough training sessions to ensure that officers and soldiers fully grasp the requirements and content of Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW issued by the Central Military Commission. In addition, Party committees and commanders at all levels need to deeply understand the crucial role of political education in building the ideological and spiritual qualities within the military and creating comprehensively strong, “exemplary, distinguished” units. Simultaneously, it is essential to clarify that responsibility of implementing political education belongs to Party committees, Party organisations, command bodies and mass organisations, and every Party cadre and member, especially secretaries of Party committees, political commissars, commanders, political institutions, and political cadres at all levels. Political education is both the right and duty of every militarymen and defence civilian employee; everyone must responsibly practice the content and curriculum of political education as stipulated. Building on this foundation, the various entities and forces within the Military should elevate the “dare to think, dare to speak, dare to act, dare to take responsibility; dare to innovate, dare to cope with difficulties and challenges; dare to act for the common good” spirit in the practical implementation of this task, ensuring compliance with requirements and regulations while enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the implementation of Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW.

Second, strengthen the leadership and direction of Party committees, Party organisations, political commissars, and commanders at all levels. Party committees and commands at all levels must deeply internalise the teaching of President Ho Chi Minh: “The Military owes its prowess to skillful education, correct policies, and strict discipline” to clearly understand that political education must be carried out under the direct leadership and guidance of Party committees and Party organisations, the management and operation of political commissars and cadres in charge of party and political works, and commanding officers. In addition, the advisory role, organisational execution, and participation of specialised agencies at all levels are also crucial. Based on a thorough understanding of resolutions and directives of the Party and the Central Military Commission, the Regulations on Political Education in the People’s Army and the Self-Defence Militia Force of Vietnam, as well as the resolutions, directives, and guidance from higher authorities, Party committees and Party organisations must timely issue resolutions with suitable leadership approaches and measures. The leadership and direction process must be comprehensive, focusing on critical stages of political education. It should leverage the roles and responsibilities of all organisations and forces, effectively utilise cultural means and institutions. Also, they must closely coordinate with local Party committees, authorities, mass organisations, and military families, encouraging them to participate in political education activities. The results of political education must serve as one of the essential criteria for evaluating the fulfillment of tasks by Party committees, Party organisations, commanding officers, and cadres, especially those in key positions at all levels. At each stage, in every circumstance, and with each assigned task, Party committees and commands at all levels must conduct reviews identify limitations, analyse causes, and propose resolute measures to overcome shortcomings. This approach aims to bring about substantial transformations, ensuring a strong and quality improvement in political education.

Third, enhance the quality, responsibility, and exemplary role of cadres directly engaged in political education, especially at the grassroots level. The nature of political education is highly abstract, monotonous, challenging to follow, and must be conducted regularly. This demands that cadres directly involved in this work possess not only have proper knowledge, qualifications, methods, and manner but also serve as role models, demonstrating enthusiasm and responsibility. Therefore, Party committees, Party organisations, political commissars, and commanding officers at all levels need to strengthen their leadership and direction in the perfection and management, delegation, and assignment of training and improving the quality and responsibility of the cadres directly carrying out this important task. In this regard, the focus should be placed on nurturing revolutionary ideals, promoting the learning and adherence to the thoughts, ethics, and manner of Ho Chi Minh, and the Movement “Upholding Tradition, Devoting Talents, Being worthy of the title of “Uncle Ho’ Soldiers”” in the new era. This should be closely linked to the Resolution of the 4^th Central Committee (13^th tenure) on building and rectifying the Party and political system and Resolution No. 847-NQ/QUTW of the Central Military Commission on promoting the qualities of “Uncle Ho’ Soldiers” and combating individualism in the new situation. The objective is to continuously educate and train the cadre corps, improving their personality, ethical qualities, dedication, and sense of responsibility towards their tasks. In addition, constant attention should be given to ensuring the adequate number of cadres at each level, especially political cadres. Furthermore, emphasis should be placed on developing their capabilities, qualifications, skills, and methods for conducting political education. Additionally, the commitment to self-learning, training, and striving of Party cadres and members should be promoted. For military academies and schools, it is essential to closely follow the situation and practical needs to continuously enhance the quality of officer training to meet the demands and tasks in the new situation. Also, it is essential to adhere to and effectively implement regulations regarding the responsibility of setting examples, especially in compliance with Directive No. 646-QĐ/QUTW, dated 6 November 2012, of the Central Military Commission on “Responsibility of setting examples of cadres and party members, especially leading, commanding, and managing officers at all levels in the Military” to uphold the spirit of self-conscious role modeling of the cadres corps at all times and in all areas, making them the true examples in political training and education for their subordinates to follow suit.

Fourth, implement fundamental, comprehensive and uniformed innovations regarding programmes, contents, forms, and methods of political education. This is an imperative requirement from practical experience to continually enhance the quality and effectiveness of political education. However, such innovations must be fundamental, rational, highly practical and orientational, easy to understand, applicable and suitable to the characteristics of the trainees. Regarding content, the focus should be on addressing new issues, further clarify the ideas of Marxist-Leninist theory, Ho Chi Minh’s Thought, the Party’s political perspectives and military lines, and the policies and laws of the State. It should also cover socialist ideology, the path to socialism in Vietnam, along with new issues regarding the education of laws, discipline, ethics, and lifestyle for the troops. At the same time, we must proactively study and promptly address practical issues, especially those related to military tasks, national defence, political and mental factors, international integration, modern warfare, non-traditional security, etc. Also, there is a need to strengthen education and provide perception and ideological orientation during sensitive periods, new and important tasks, challenging and dangerous missions, complex incidents, and issues that the public is concerned about.

In terms of innovating forms and methods, political education should move towards being fundamental, modern, diverse, lively, attractive, and practically effective. It should be closely aligned with the characteristics of the units’ tasks and situation. It should also be suitable for the conditions of material infrastructure, equipment, and political education means, emphasising the positive, self-conscious, proactive, and creative aspects of officers and soldiers. In addition, the primary focus should be on innovating the main forms of political education, improving the quality and effectiveness of regular educational activities, building and expanding new models, innovative approaches, and effective practices. This should be combined closely with ideological leadership, discipline management, military training, and the promotion of movements and campaigns at all levels, branches, units, and localities.

Fifth, continue to innovate and improve the quality of the operational mechanism; ensure proper budgets, infrastructure, and equipment for political education. The existing operational mechanism for political education has specified the functions and tasks of each component and force. Therefore, agencies and units should consistently and effectively implement it in practice. The organisational process must be managed in accordance with regulations, giving importance to the management of the target, content, programme, duration, forms, and outcomes of political education. The evaluation of political education outcomes must be strict, substantial, continuously innovated at all levels, and closely integrated with management, inspection, auditorial, and evaluation forms and measures regarding political education. This helps bring about the timely identification and rectification of weaknesses and shortcomings during the implementation process. Moreover, it is critical to commend groups or individuals who excel in this work. Agencies and units should prioritise and ensure budgets for political education as stipulated, focusing on sufficient investment for infrastructure, equipment, and facility upgrade and modernisation, specifically those designed for political education at the platoon, company, and equivalent levels. Further investment must be made to improve facilities, equipment, and tools supporting extracurricular and practical activities in political education at military schools. Additionally, there is a need to emphasise the application of science and technology and digital transformation to meet the requirements of political education in the new period.

The work of political and ideological education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals, building organisations, and fostering revolutionary ideals for officers and soldiers. In response to the new requirements and tasks in building and defending the Fatherland, all agencies and units in the Military need to concentrate on leading and directing the comprehensive and resolute implementation of measures to strengthen political education, as outlined in Directive No. 2423-CT/QUTW by the Central Military Commission. This contributes to the construction of a strong Military with high political quality, combat strength, and readiness to excel in all assigned tasks.

Sr. Lt. Gen. TRINH VAN QUYET, Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army