According to Ho Chi Minh, “Nothing is more precious than the people. Nothing is stronger than the solidarity of the people… Nothing in society is more noble and glorious than serving the interests of the people.” His people-first ideology continues to influence Vietnam’s national development in the new era.
President Ho Chi Minh’s philosophy of valuing the people was a fundamental, central, and consistent element throughout his revolutionary career. To this day, it retains profound theoretical and practical significance. Public trust and unity remain a solid foundation for building, safeguarding, and developing a prosperous and happy nation.
Putting people at the center
President Ho Chi Minh defined “the people” in a broad and inclusive sense. He referred to them in many familiar ways, such as “the people,” “our people,” “the masses,” or “compatriots”, reflecting both closeness and accessibility. In his view, the people encompassed the overwhelming majority of individuals from different ethnicities, religions, genders, and social backgrounds, whether living inside or outside Vietnam, regardless of wealth, age, or faith.
Ho Chi Minh repeatedly highlighted the principle of valuing the people in his speeches, writings, and revolutionary practice with the belief that “anything beneficial to the people must be done wholeheartedly, and anything harmful to the people must be avoided at all costs.” He consistently affirmed the idea that the people are the root – “A tree stands firm only when its roots are strong. Victories can only be built on the foundation of the people.” With the support and strength of the masses, even the greatest and most difficult tasks can be accomplished.
President Ho Chi Minh placed the people at the center of all revolutionary activities, stressing that no force is stronger than the unity of the people. Respecting the people and recognizing them as the aim and driving force of the revolution was one of the core principles of his ideology, because the people were the starting point and the ultimate destination of all his revolutionary thought and actions. To go far, a nation must rely on its people. To achieve sustainable development, it must maintain the people’s trust. To enter an era of prosperity and strength, the people must remain at the center of every policy, movement, and action.
People-first approach in national development
Continuing President Ho Chi Minh’s people-first ideology, Vietnam is aiming to turn public unity into national strength, patriotism into action, and aspirations for independence, freedom, and happiness into extraordinary achievements.
At the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, held in Hanoi earlier this week, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam said that whenever the Vietnamese nation stands united, with the people sharing common aspirations and determination, Vietnam can overcome all difficulties and achieve enduring accomplishments. That is not just a historical reflection, but a fundamental truth of development.
Great national unity is no longer viewed solely as a valuable tradition or spiritual legacy, it is increasingly recognized as a national development capacity. This is a highly modern approach. Public trust is a political foundation, a form of soft power and an internal driving force of decisive importance to sustainable development.
When the people support, all resources can be mobilized. When people are respected, listened to, involved, and benefit from development, society’s creativity is unleashed. That is why placing the people at the center has become essential to development.
The viewpoint “people as the root” has been concretized. Every guideline of the Party, every policy and law of the State, and every program, campaign, and movement of the Fatherland Front must originate from the legitimate needs, aspirations, rights, and interests of the people, while aiming to improve their material and spiritual well-being and happiness.
Nguyen Cong Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transportation Association, and a delegate to the Congress, said: “The Party General Secretary and State President assigned the Fatherland Front the task of staying close to the people, taking the people as the central subject and focus, with the people participating in and benefiting from development. What impressed us most was the strength of public support and the emphasis on solidarity.”
Nguyen Viet Chuc, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Education, said: “The ‘people are the root’ principle that has been a consistent orientation of our Party since its founding. Today, all socio-economic development efforts are centered on serving people. Ensuring that people truly benefit from development must be, not just a slogan, but a concrete policy reflected in every major decision, with human beings at the center.”
Vietnam’s history is the history of a nation that has always known how to unite the people and transform patriotism into action. Inspired by President Ho Chi Minh’s people-first ideology, Vietnam today continues to turn its aspirations for independence, freedom, and happiness into remarkable achievements.
