Party leader To Lam speaks at the commemoration of the 110th birth anniversary of late General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh, July 1, 2025.

Born Nguyen Van Cuc and known by his revolutionary alias “Muoi Cuc,” Mr. Linh joined the revolution in the 1930s and became General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1986.

Speaking at the event, Party General Secretary To Lam praised Nguyen Van Linh as a pioneer of Vietnam’s bold reform efforts. Mr. Linh broke down institutional barriers, unlocked productive capacity, expanded grassroots autonomy, piloted the non-state economic sector, and helped lay the foundations for a market economy under state management, Party leader To Lam said. He also praised Mr. Linh’s key role in advancing external relations and international integration.

Party leader To Lam offers incense in tribute of late General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh.

“The lesson of reform-minded thinking—daring to think, daring to act, daring to take responsibility—was clearly embodied in Mr. Nguyen Van Linh’s vision. He once affirmed, ‘Renewal does not mean rejecting the past, but building upon reality, daring to face the truth in order to act.’ That spirit remains a guiding light for today’s generation of cadres, especially as the country faces serious challenges such as limitations in the traditional growth model, environmental issues, an aging population, and intense geopolitical competition,” said Mr. Lam. 

Also on Tuesday, an exhibition opened in Ho Chi Minh City spotlighting Nguyen Van Linh’s life, revolutionary career, and contributions to the nation.