General Secretary To Lam watches the introduction of digital transformation applications in party agencies while attending the conference to review the work in 2024 and deploy tasks for 2025 of the Party Central Office_Photo: VNA
The apparatus must be streamlined to "do many beneficial things for the people"
President Ho Chi Minh is the founder, leader, trainer and left a deep mark in the process of formation and development of the organization and apparatus of the Vietnamese political system. The depth of practice crystallized a comprehensive and profound system of viewpoints on the organization and apparatus of the political system, in which the most prominent are the instructions on "streamlining" to make the apparatus strong and clear, "doing many beneficial things for the people".
Streamlining the apparatus is not a political strategy or a temporary way of improving the organization, but a regular and systematic work to meet the development needs of the country in each specific historical period. President Ho Chi Minh 's continuous attention shows the strategic significance of building a streamlined apparatus for the effectiveness and efficiency of the political system; thereby, having a great impact on the movement and development process of the Vietnamese revolutionary cause. A streamlined apparatus is a principled requirement that President Ho Chi Minh consistently emphasized throughout the entire process of more than two decades of direct leadership in building the political system of the democratic republic. Immediately after the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, the requirement for a streamlined apparatus was indirectly expressed through his very detailed mentions of the organization and operation of the government in a number of articles (2) . For a long time after that, in his position as the head of the Party and State, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized the requirement: "It is necessary to rectify and perfect the apparatus from top to bottom to make it neat and reasonable..." (3) . That ideology and practice affirmed the great, important, long-term, and strategic nature of streamlining the political system apparatus.
The people are both the target and the driving force of the streamlining of the political system. “Our country is a democratic country,… The government from the commune to the central government is elected by the people. The organizations from the central to the commune are organized by the people”; “In the revolutionary apparatus, from the house sweeper, the cook to the President of a country, all are assigned to be servants of the people” (4) . Therefore, “The Government and the Party… do everything for the benefit of the people…” (5) . Streamlining the apparatus to reduce the burden of “feeding” the political system for the people, while at the same time improving the effectiveness and efficiency to “do many beneficial things for the people”. President Ho Chi Minh requested: “Practice streamlining the payroll, to reduce contributions to the people and add more force to the work of increasing production” (6) . These contents reflect President Ho Chi Minh’s views on the driving role of the people. Streamlining the apparatus does not come from the self-interest needs of the political system alone, but the source of initiation and promotion of the streamlining of the political system apparatus is the need of the people as owners and masters; is the participation in building the apparatus of the new regime; is the supervision and voice of reflection and criticism of the people towards organizations and individuals in the political system. Relying on the people is the victorious lesson of building a streamlined, effective and efficient political system apparatus.
Identifying and resolving the issue of interests is crucial to streamlining the political system apparatus. President Ho Chi Minh always valued the common interest, but also paid attention to the individual interests of each agency and individual in the political system. He thoroughly promoted the similarity and unity; the interests of the internal political system and the interests of the people were not only not different or contradictory, but also harmoniously blended, because: "...there is no interest of the Party that is not the interest of the people, or vice versa, there is no interest of the people that is not the interest of the Party" (7) . The interests of agencies and units in the streamlined political system apparatus are "neat, reasonable, costing less people and money"; "everyone has practical work" (8) . Streamlining the apparatus is the driving force that motivates each cadre to strive to "compete to improve their productivity" (9) , contributing more to the common development. Striving for development is the great benefit that the streamlining of the organizational apparatus brings to each agency, unit and individual in the political system. Streamlining the organizational apparatus brings common benefits to the country and people through bringing development benefits to each individual and unit in the political system.
Streamlining the political system is a process of synchronous implementation between building and fighting. President Ho Chi Minh considered streamlining the apparatus as a process of "rectification and improvement". The main driving force of building a streamlined political system is to prevent and eliminate risks and manifestations of bureaucracy, negativity, and distance from the people that affect the nature of power belonging to the people. President Ho Chi Minh repeatedly mentioned these negative manifestations to affirm the requirement to streamline the apparatus: "From ministries, branches and localities, the apparatus is too cumbersome and increasingly bloated. Therefore, bureaucracy and waste are born" (10) ; "the apparatus is cumbersome, with many documents and formalities... From the top to the bottom, the work is slow and often not coordinated. We must correct the above shortcomings, attach importance to and truly perfect the people's democratic government in terms of work, organization and personnel" (11) . The result of this rectification process is a system that is designed and operated “neatly, reasonably, costing little in terms of manpower and money, and doing many beneficial things for the people.” In short, streamlining the organization of the apparatus is “a repair, cleaning, adding grease, adding water… to make the machine run faster, more evenly, to quickly reach complete victory” (12) .
Ensuring the systematicity and inheritance in a unified whole is both a requirement and a goal of streamlining the political system's apparatus. President Ho Chi Minh always emphasized that the apparatus is a whole with a clear division of labor and coordination: "An apparatus is made up of many large and small machines assembled together. If those machines all fit together, the apparatus is good and produces a lot. If just one small machine does not fit together, it will have a negative impact on the entire apparatus" (13) . Streamlining the apparatus is not breaking the system, not "destroying and rebuilding" completely in the sense of a clean negation. He emphasized: "rectifying and perfecting" is to enhance unity, ensuring that "those machines all fit together". According to him, revolution is to remove the old to create the new on the condition that the old is backward, outdated, and no longer suitable, and the new is progressive and suitable. With that spirit, the motto expressed in President Ho Chi Minh's practice of leadership in building organizational apparatus is to maintain and promote what is good and suitable, and to arrange any cumbersome, unsuitable, or wasteful parts.
Comprehensiveness is clearly demonstrated in the ideology and practice of President Ho Chi Minh's leadership in building a streamlined political system, in two main aspects. In terms of content, the political system must be streamlined in both apparatus and personnel. Arrange and arrange agencies and units in the system to suit the actual conditions of the country. In response to the question "Why are there only 10 ministries now?", President Ho Chi Minh replied: "Because our country is small, we do not need many ministries" (14) . Realizing that "from ministries, branches and localities, the apparatus is too cumbersome and increasingly bloated", he firmly requested to rearrange it to be more neat and reasonable. In terms of personnel, arrange and streamline. Based on the arrangement and transfer of personnel "to be neat and reasonable, everyone has practical work, and those who are redundant must be sent to places where there is a shortage". Regarding personnel, “practice streamlining the payroll, to reduce contributions to the people and add more force to the work of increasing production” (15) . According to him, streamlining is “increasing productivity, reducing the number of people”: “streamlining is to increase productivity, to do it quickly and well, simplifying is moderate, not cumbersome, avoiding formality”. On the other hand, streamlining the apparatus must be carried out both from top to bottom with the participation of the entire political system from the Central to the grassroots. President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: “Reorganize the government apparatus from bottom to top, starting from the commune; the bottom does it to the top, the top does it to the bottom, naturally everything will be done” (16) ; “localities will compete with each other, the Central will compete with localities, making that apparatus run faster, more evenly, to quickly reach complete victory” (17) . That is the comprehensiveness in the perspective on the force and method of implementing streamlining the political system apparatus.
Revolutionary ethics is the “strength” to streamline the organization of the political system. According to President Ho Chi Minh, the origin of the cumbersome apparatus is individualism: “Due to individualism, bureaucracy is born. Bulky. Arrogant. Slow. Doing things for the sake of getting things done. Love of formality” (18) . The disease of factionalism, localism, formalism, and ostentatious waste is also mentioned as the cause of the staff being too large compared to actual requirements: “The cumbersome and unreasonable organizations, with too few people doing too much work, waste public funds in vain. Or love of formality, showing off, being extravagant, and wasteful” (19) . The biggest obstacle preventing the streamlining of the organization is individualism. The fundamental strength to “wipe out individualism” is cultivating and training revolutionary ethics, upholding the spirit of impartiality, and putting the common interest above personal interest. Rectifying and perfecting the apparatus "must wash away all bureaucracy, commandism, and formalism, must always stay close to the masses, must practice diligence, thrift, integrity, and uprightness" (20) . Ultimately, streamlining the apparatus is also the process of cultivating and training the revolutionary ethics of "putting work first" of the cadres and party members.
The revolution in streamlining the political system's organizational apparatus "cannot be delayed any longer"
The components of the Vietnamese political system were formed and developed in close association with the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. Therefore, in the early stages, the organizational apparatus had the characteristics of a political system in the conditions of both resistance and nation-building, bearing the strong features of a "proletarian dictatorship" apparatus. During the renovation period, the political system was renovated and built in association with the movement and development of the country: “The organizational system of the Party, the State, the Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations was renovated; the functions, tasks, and working relationships of each organization were defined and adjusted more reasonably, gradually meeting the requirements of building and perfecting a socialist rule-of-law state and developing a socialist-oriented market economy. The political system was basically stable, in accordance with the Platform and the Constitution; ensuring the leadership role of the Party, the management of the State, promoting the mastery of the people, contributing significantly to the great achievements of historical significance in the cause of renovation, construction, and protection of the Fatherland” (21) . However, after nearly 40 years of innovation, "the organizational apparatus of the political system is still cumbersome, with many levels and focal points; the effectiveness and efficiency of operations do not meet requirements and tasks... causing waste and hindering development, which is one of the reasons why many of the Party's policies are slow to be put into practice or some policies are not implemented or are implemented in practice" (22) .
The cause of renovation has brought the country a foundation, potential, position and international prestige never before seen like today. That is the foundation for the country to enter the era of national rise, successfully implementing strategic goals towards the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Party (becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income) and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country (becoming a developed socialist country with high income). One of the seven strategic orientations to bring the country into the era of national rise, as clearly stated by General Secretary To Lam, is to streamline the organizational apparatus to make the political system strong, effective, efficient and effective.
Realizing the importance of building and perfecting the political system's organizational apparatus, the Party issued many resolutions and conclusions to lead the implementation of the policy of innovation, streamlining the political system's organizational apparatus, and making it operate effectively and efficiently. However, "Compared to the great changes of the country after 40 years of innovation, the development of the socialist rule-of-law State and scientific and technological achievements; the organization of the political system's apparatus, although innovated in some parts, is still basically following the model designed decades ago, many issues are no longer suitable to new conditions, which is contrary to the law of development" (23) .
The country is facing an era of national development. “The shortcomings, limitations, slowness, and lack of determination in implementing the policy of innovation and restructuring the political system’s apparatus have caused many serious consequences,” leading to obstacles and missed opportunities for the country’s development (24) . General Secretary To Lam emphasized: “The time of 100 years of our country under the Party’s leadership and 100 years of founding the country is not far away. To achieve strategic goals, it not only requires extraordinary efforts, outstanding efforts, but also does not allow us to be slow, lax, inaccurate, unsynchronized, or uncoordinated in every step; to do so, it is necessary to urgently carry out a revolution in streamlining the political system’s apparatus” (25) ; the sooner it is done, the more beneficial it is for the people and the country; it cannot be delayed any longer.
Comrade Le Minh Hung, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Organizing Committee, and leaders of Ha Tinh province exchanged with voters of Tung Anh commune, Duc Tho district, Ha Tinh province_Source: baohatinh.vn
Solutions from President Ho Chi Minh's instructions
President Ho Chi Minh's leadership ideology and practice in building the political system's organizational apparatus left important and valuable guidelines for the revolution in streamlining the political system's organizational apparatus, including:
First, uphold and promote the power of revolutionary ethics, and properly resolve the issue of interests.
Faced with the difficulties and complexities of the revolutionary struggle, President Ho Chi Minh always emphasized: “Only with strength can one carry heavy burdens and go far. Revolutionaries must have revolutionary ethics as a foundation to complete glorious revolutionary tasks” (26) . The revolution to streamline the organization of the political system “is truly a difficult problem, even very difficult” because it involves the interests of many agencies, units and individuals. President Ho Chi Minh left a very important instruction: The root of the cumbersome apparatus and the bloated payroll is individualism - "thinking about one's own interests first in everything... only wanting "everyone for oneself" (27) . The main obstacle to the revolution to streamline the current political system's apparatus is also individualism. Fighting against individualism will eliminate the main "bottleneck" of the revolution to streamline the apparatus. "Every cadre and party member must put the interests of the revolution, the Party, and the people above all else. Must resolutely wipe out individualism and improve revolutionary ethics" (28) . Applying that instruction of President Ho Chi Minh, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the moral quality of putting public service first: "all for a Vietnam with a rich people, a strong country, fairness, democracy, civilization, soon on par with the world powers" (29) .
The revolution to streamline the political system's apparatus must be closely linked to the process of cultivating, training, improving revolutionary ethics, and eliminating individualism. Upholding the spirit of impartiality, putting the interests of the country and people above the personal interests of each department and individual with the spirit of urgency "the sooner we do it, the more beneficial it is for the people and the country" as directed by General Secretary To Lam. However, fighting against individualism does not mean eliminating legitimate personal interests. Each agency and unit must properly implement the regime and policies for cadres, party members, civil servants, public employees, and workers who may be affected by the restructuring of the organization and apparatus in a transparent, objective, and timely manner.
Second, mobilize and organize well the implementing force.
President Ho Chi Minh pointed out: “We all, regardless of our position, high or low, big or small, all make up an apparatus” (30) ; therefore, building an apparatus organization is a common task for all. Ho Chi Minh requested that “localities will compete with each other, the Central Government will compete with localities, making that apparatus run faster, more evenly, to quickly reach complete victory” (31) . The combined strength of the system is the decisive factor in implementing the rectification and consolidation of the political system apparatus organization “neat, reasonable, costing little people and money, but doing many beneficial things for the people”.
The current revolution of streamlining the organizational apparatus must ensure the participation of the entire political system. Upholding the spirit of thorough compliance, only discussing action, not retreating; urgently implementing, not waiting. Mobilizing the strength of the entire system, organizing and launching a peak of emulation between agencies, units, between localities, between the Central and local levels. General Secretary To Lam made the request: "requesting all levels and sectors from the Central to the grassroots to determine the highest political determination in implementing this policy... Comrades, leaders, heads of Party committees and agencies need to be exemplary, proactive, and resolute in performing assigned tasks in the spirit of "running and lining up at the same time"; "The Central does not wait for the provincial level, the provincial level does not wait for the district level, the district level does not wait for the grassroots level"; "The Central sets an example, the localities respond". Each level and each sector closely follows the plan to summarize and propose models for their agencies and units to ensure progress" (32) .
Rely on the people to carry out the revolution of streamlining the apparatus of the political system. The entire political system, especially the press and media, must promote the clear propaganda of the goal of streamlining the apparatus to receive consensus and support from the people. Currently, the majority of people are supporting and responding to the Party's policy, creating a great spiritual motivation to encourage the implementation of the revolution of streamlining the apparatus. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to and promote the role of the families of cadres and civil servants affected by the streamlining of the apparatus, to stabilize their lives soon.
Third, properly resolve the relationship between innovation and inheritance, stability and development, between organizational arrangement and streamlining.
Revolution is always a process of continuous innovation and development on the basis of inheriting established values. From the practice of leading the construction of a streamlined apparatus, President Ho Chi Minh concluded: it is necessary to properly resolve the relationship between innovation and inheritance, that is, between what is already there and what is new. Streamlining the organization of the political system is a revolution, so it is necessary to properly resolve the relationship between innovation and inheritance. The spirit promoted by General Secretary To Lam is that determination and strength must be associated with caution, certainty, and upholding principles, so it is necessary to focus on: Only ending activities, transferring, and arranging positions that overlap in functions and tasks, dividing by areas and intermediate levels; keeping and improving suitable and well-functioning positions; only establishing new agencies and units when really necessary; closely linking the arrangement of the apparatus with streamlining the payroll; implementing the motto of arranging the apparatus first, adjusting the payroll associated with the arrangement. Streamlining the payroll according to President Ho Chi Minh's instructions is to reduce the number but increase productivity. Conduct a good assessment of cadres to "streamline" the right subjects, thereby helping to "streamline" but the apparatus must be refined. Closely inspect, supervise and strictly handle manifestations of factions, cronyism, and localism, eliminating capable people to keep incompetent people, leading to a streamlined but not refined apparatus. The steering committee in each agency, unit and locality must be responsible for weaknesses, violations and negativity in implementing the streamlining of the apparatus.
Fourth, streamlining the organizational apparatus is associated with perfecting the political system's institutions.
President Ho Chi Minh always mentioned the division of labor and coordination as the foundation for forming the apparatus, the condition for building a streamlined organization. Carrying out the revolution to streamline the political system's apparatus must be associated with perfecting the corresponding institutions. Promoting the intelligence of the entire political system and the people to soon build an institutional framework for the overall model of organizing the apparatus of the Vietnamese political system, meeting the requirements and tasks in the new revolutionary period. Review all existing regulations to issue new ones, adjust and supplement regulations in accordance with the new arrangement model. “Focus on perfecting the law on the organization and operation of agencies in the political system, associated with the spirit of promoting decentralization and delegation of power with the motto "locality decides, locality does, locality is responsible", the Central Government, the Government, and the National Assembly strengthen institutional perfection, play a role in creating and strengthening inspection, supervision, and maximally reforming administrative procedures, reducing costs, creating the greatest convenience for people and businesses. Clearly define the tasks and powers of agencies, organizations, and individuals in the state apparatus, ensuring a clear distinction between the level of promulgating policies, laws, and the level of organizing implementation” (33) .
The opportunity for the nation to rise up requires an urgent revolution in streamlining the organization of the political system, not only proactively and resolutely in the spirit of "running and lining up at the same time", but also firmly and effectively. The more we face "difficult, even very difficult problems", the more we must absorb the profound lessons in Ho Chi Minh's thought on this issue./.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Minh Tuan
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine, Member of the Central Theoretical Council
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(1) To Lam: "Promoting a high sense of responsibility, focusing on leadership and direction with the highest determination to promptly complete the streamlining of the political system's organizational apparatus; contributing to accelerating and surpassing the goals and tasks of 2024, 2025 and the entire 13th Congress term; preparing well for party congresses at all levels towards the 14th National Party Congress", Communist Magazine , No. 1051, December 2024, p. 6
(2) Such as: How to organize people's committees (September 11, 1945); Lack of organization - a major shortcoming in people's committees (October 4, 1945); Letter to people's committees of regions, provinces, districts and villages (October 17, 1945); Stop making money like that (October 17, 1945);...
(3) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 8, p. 155
(4) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 232
(5) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 5, p. 285
(6) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 7, p. 164
(7) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 370
(8) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 7, p. 432
(9) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 7, p. 432
(10) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 13, p. 314
(11) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 7, p. 391
(12) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 64
(13) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 408
(14) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 4, p. 146
(15) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit., vol. 7, p. 164
(16) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 15
(17) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 64
(18) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit., 5, p. 624
(19) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 9, p. 297
(20) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, p. 484
(21) Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, the 6th Conference of the 12th Party Central Committee on a number of issues on continuing to innovate and reorganize the apparatus of the political system to be streamlined and operate effectively and efficiently.
(22), (23), (24), (25) To Lam: "Sleek - Compact - Strong - Effective - Efficient - Effective", Communist Magazine , No. 1050, November 2024, p. 14
(26) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 11, p. 601
(27) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 15, pp. 546 - 547
(28) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 15, p. 547
(29) See: To Lam: "Sleek - Compact - Strong - Effective - Efficient - Effective", Communist Magazine, No. 1050, November 2024
(30) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 8, p. 219
(31) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit. , vol. 6, page 64
(32) To Lam: "Promoting a high sense of responsibility, focusing on leadership and direction with the highest determination to promptly complete the streamlining of the political system's organizational apparatus; contributing to accelerating and surpassing the goals and tasks of 2024, 2025 and the entire 13th Congress term; preparing well for party congresses at all levels towards the 14th National Party Congress", ibid , p. 6
(33) To Lam: "Refined - Compact - Strong - Effective - Efficient - Effective", ibid , p. 15
According to BVHTTDL
Source: https://svhttdl.thanhhoa.gov.vn/tin-tuc/xay-dung-hoan-thien-to-chuc-bo-may-he-thong-chinh-tri-viet-nam-tinh-gon-manh-hieu-nang-hieu-luc-hieu-qua-theo-chi-dan-cua-chu-pich-ho-chi-minh-1009679
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