A solemn meeting was held in the capital city of Hanoi on February 2, 2010 to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) (Feb. 3, 1930 – Feb. 3, 2010). Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh gives a speech at the meeting. Leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government, revolutionary veterans and Hanoi's representatives of people of all walk of life attend the meeting. An artistic prpogramme themed "80 Years under the Party's Banner" is performed at the meeting. Prominent among those at the event were Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Huynh Dam. The Party, State and VFF leaders had previously paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh – the beloved leader of the nation and the founder of the CPV – at his mausoleum, and laid wreaths at the monument dedicated to fallen soldiers. A large number of revolutionary veterans, Vietnamese heroic mothers, people from all walks of life in Hanoi, and representatives from diplomatic corps and international organizations in the city also attended the event. While recalling the 80-year glorious history of the CPV, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh noted with pride the great victories of the Vietnamese revolution and the strong and comprehensive development of the country. “With pride and deep gratitude, we respectfully commemorate Uncle Ho, a great national hero, as well as Party leaders, fallen combatants, compatriots and comrades who fought undauntedly and laid down their lives during the nation and Party’s long-lasting and glorious struggle for national independence and socialism for the sake of a prosperous and happy people,” he said. The Party leader took this occasion to thank international comrades and friends for the support and assistance extended to the Vietnamese people during their past struggle for national independence and co-operation in Vietnam’s national construction and development at present. He highlighted the Party’s glittering milestones over the past eight decades, saying that since its inception, the CPV has soundly combined the targets of the workers’ movements and the patriotic movements, the interests of the working class and the nation, and became the true vanguard for the working class, labourers and the entire nation of Vietnam. The CPV has already led the people to achieve great victories of historical significance that have defined an era, he stressed. The leader affirmed that advancing towards socialism is the inevitable path of development of the Vietnamese revolution, which was set out in the first political platform of the Party. That was a correct choice made by President Ho Chi Minh, the Party and people and a choice of history itself, he said. Over the past 25 years, the cause of renewal has gained history-making achievements, proving itself a comprehensive and thorough revolution in the new period. Vietnam not only escaped from socio-economic difficulties, but also overcame the adverse impact of the regional financial-monetary crisis in 1997-1998 and the ongoing global financial-economic crisis, Manh said. Despite the crisis, Vietnam still recorded rather high economic growth rates and successfully ensured macroeconomic stability, strengthened its political system and great national solidarity, and maintained political and social order as well as security and national defence. Vietnam’s position in the international arena has grown constantly, while its general strength has increased, creating a new position and strength for the country to continue going ahead with positive prospects. From the abundant and creative reality of the renewal process, the awareness of socialism and the path toward it has been improved and the theoretical viewpoints on the renewal process, the socialist society and the path towards socialism in Vietnam have taken shape in terms of fundamental principles. The General Secretary emphasised theoretical and practical lessons drawn from the Party’s revolutionary leadership process, which highlighted their persistence in pursuing the targets of both national independence and socialism, upholding the strength of the great national solidarity and the united national front, building a firm alliance between the working class, farmers and intellectuals, accelerating the building of a state of the people, by the people and for the people, and enhancing the leadership and fighting capacity of the Party. While leading the revolution and dealing with difficult, complicated and newly-emerging events, it is inevitable that the Party sometimes made mistakes but it has strictly engaged in self-criticism, rooted out the causes and has been determined to correct these faults, he said. The leader stressed that the current major task of the Party is to step up the comprehensive renewal process, industrialization and modernization for the target of a rich people, a strong country and a just, democratic, civilized society, as it guides the nation through its transitional period to socialism. The CPV attaches importance to theoretical research and review of realities, especially the realities of the renewal process, to continue clarifying the awareness of socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam. “Those are important theoretical and realistic foundations for the upcoming 11th National Party Congress to supplement and develop the 1991 Political Platform with a view to bringing the country to a new historical period of rapid and sustainable development,” he added. The Party General Secretary stated that in any situation, the Party and State should take good care of the people and pay more attention to social welfare policies, especially for people who have rendered services to the nation and poor households. There should be a proper combination between economic growth with cultural development and implementation of social advances and equality in each policy and step, he said. The Party leader stressed that the unity among 54 ethnic groups, social classes, religions and between Vietnamese people inside and outside the country is the CPV’s consistent strategic policy. “Therefore, the Party should strengthen the great national unity bloc in combination with renovating the political system, building and completing a socialist democracy as well as fully implementing the people’s right to mastery in all aspects of politics, socio-economics, culture and management,” he said. According to Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, the Party and State also attach importance to strengthening national defence, security to safeguard the socialist Vietnamese State, he said, adding that it is a must to build a comprehensive and strong people-based national defence and public security as well as firmly protect national independence and sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity including the sea and islands. The Party, State, people and socialism as well as political, economic, cultural and social security must be protected, he added. Vietnam has consistently carried out a foreign policy of independence, self-control, peace, co-operation and development, boosting the multi-lateralisation and diversification of international relations, actively participating in global economic integration as well as expanding international co-operation, he said. “Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the world community that has actively participated in the regional and international co-operation process and made active contributions to the world people’s struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social advancement,” the Party leader stressed. Regarding Party building work, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said that alongside major opportunities, the country and Party are now facing serious challenges. Thus, building a strong Party is truly a key task and a vital issue for the revolutionary cause of the people. “We are determined to build a clean and strong Party in terms of politics, ideology and organization, which has close links with the people as well as scientific methods of leadership and a contingent of capable Party members, worthy to be a leader and faithful servant of the people,” he said. The Party leader stressed that 2010 is a significant year for Vietnam as the country will hold a huge number of important events and carry out Party congresses at all levels in preparation for the 11th National Party Congress. He, therefore, urged the whole nation to make good preparations for these events, promote democracy and unity, strengthen the implementation of disciplines and select the right people for Party organs at all levels. Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh also called upon the whole Party, people and armed forces to uphold the glorious traditions of the Party and the nation, elevate their sense of shared responsibility and perform current tasks effectively. “The efforts of the whole people, agencies, localities and economic sectors are extremely important factors for the country to maintain sustainable economic growth and social security,” he concluded. By VNA