Vietnam Shapes Criteria for Socialist Communes and Wards

Vietnam is embarking on a significant initiative to define and implement criteria for 'socialist-oriented' communes and wards, a move aimed at modernizing local governance and embedding socialist values more deeply into the fabric of daily life. This endeavor, spearheaded by discussions involving key figures like GS-TS Nguyễn Xuân Thắng, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, emphasizes that socialism is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality to be built from the grassroots.

The guiding principle, drawing from Marxist-Leninist theory and Ho Chi Minh's teachings, is that the commune level is the closest to the people and the foundation of administration. Success at this level, it is argued, ensures success in broader endeavors. The past 40 years of Đổi Mới (Renovation) have shown that national development often springs from the dynamism of local initiatives, such as the "New Rural Development Program" and various community-based models.

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The commune level is the closest to the people, the foundation of administration. If the commune can do the job, then all work will be completed.

This new framework seeks to establish ten key orientations for these socialist communes and wards. These include fostering democratic participation, upholding the rule of law, ensuring security, promoting environmental sustainability, embracing digital transformation with AI, encouraging innovation, and prioritizing human well-being and cultural preservation. The ultimate goal, as articulated, is not merely economic growth but the creation of happier, safer, and more developed lives for the people, reflecting a holistic vision of socialist progress.

Hanoi is set to pilot this model in two adjacent communes, a process that will be closely monitored and evaluated before potential expansion across the city between 2031 and 2035. This phased approach reflects a cautious yet determined effort to translate theoretical ideals into practical, effective governance structures that resonate with the aspirations of the Vietnamese people.

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The ultimate goal of socialism is not just economic growth or social modernization, but to make people happier, safer, more humane, and have more conditions for comprehensive development. Happiness here is not only material conditions, but also social trust, cohesion.