The campaign to follow Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle has been around in Vietnam for years. In 2016 the Politburo issued Directive 5 to intensify this drive.

New methods and practices

Last year social organizations and Party Committees at all levels focused on analyzing and studying the fundamental tenets of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle. These tenets were included in the curriculum of Vietnam’s public schools, as local Party units carried out activities implementing Directive 5.

Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, Deputy Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee, said: “The campaign to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s morality has heightened the awareness of cadres, Party members, and social organizations. Many good practices have been recorded: young cadres working on Saturday to complete online administrative procedures, hospitals carrying out a campaign called “doctors as good mothers”, people donating their land for roads as part of the new rural development program.”

Building a strong, unblemished Party

Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts raise high the issue of Party building. Directive 5 aims to prevent the degradation of political thinking, morality, and lifestyle, and the “self-transformation” and “self-evolution” of individuals and organizations. 

Vo Van Thuong, Head of the Party Central Committee’s Communications and Education Commission, said the campaign should inform the Party’s resolutions on reducing corruption and waste. “The leadership should apply Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and lifestyle to their managerial work and political tasks. Ho Chi Minh’s ideology should be the guiding star for their thoughts and actions.”

In 2017 organizations at all levels will continue to identify key tasks and adopt measures to implement Directive 5, increase the sense of responsibility of cadres and Party members, reform administrative procedures, and dutifully resolve all petitions and complaints.