National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) held

The 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), themed "Solidarity - Democracy - Innovation - Creativity – Development”, opened in Hanoi on October 17, with the attendance of  Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Luong Cuong, among other senior officials.

The three-day congress has brought together a total of 1,052 delegates representing various classes, ethnic groups, religions, armed forces, overseas Vietnamese, and VFF officials at all levels.

In his opening speech at the congress, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the 9th VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien underlined that the congress aims to make objective and comprehensive assessments of the situation of people of all classes and the great national solidarity bloc as well as the outcomes of the implementation of the 9th National VFF Congress for the 2019-2024 tenure, thus pointing out shortcomings and lessons. He also asked the congress to sketch out orientations, objectives and tasks as well as the action program of the VFF for the 2024-2029 tenure, while electing a VFF Central Committee, Presidium, Standing Board, President, Vice President - General Secretary and Vice Presidents, and approving the adjustments and supplementations to the VFF Charter.

Addressing the opening session of the Congress, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam stressed that the VFF should serve as the nucleus in protecting the Party's ideological foundation, actively combating erroneous and hostile viewpoints.

The top leader said over the past 94 years, the VFF has grown stronger, affirming its role and mission in promoting the national tradition and the strength of great national unity.

It has encouraged people to actively participate in patriotic movements, harnessing resources and creativity, and contributing to the successful implementation of the country's strategic tasks throughout historical periods, he said.

Mr. Lam acknowledged and lauded the performance of VFF Committees at all levels and commended people from all strata of society for their strong spirit of patriotism and solidarity, response, support and efforts in implementing the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws, significantly contributing to the important and turning-point achievements of the country over the past years.

The top Vietnamese leader underscored that it is the responsibility of the whole Party, people, and army, with the VFF playing the core role, to strongly inspire patriotism, the desire to make contributions, the spirit of self-reliance and confidence, as well as national pride, promoting the great strength from the great national solidarity bloc and combining the national strength with that of the era, thus achieving all targets.

Basically agreeing with the orientations, goals, and the action plan for the next tenure stated in the congress’ political report, Part General Secretary and State President Lam pointed to the need to reach consensus on the position and special significance of the great national solidarity bloc as well as the urgent requirement and top priority to reinforce and promote it under the leadership of the Party.

The leader said that in the current period, the Front should strongly perform its key role and coordination with its member organizations to unite all classes and outstanding individuals, promoting the vanguard role of the working class, awakening the great potential of the peasants, intellectuals, and workers, ensuring high a consensus in perception, ideology and action, firmly adhering to the socialist goals and ideology, proactively carrying out people diplomacy activities, resolutely protecting national independence and sovereignty, and political and social stability, and building an increasingly prosperous and happy country.

He reminded the Front and its member organizations to show stronger performance in communications and education to make sure that all people understand, support, and implement the orientations and policy and laws of the Party and the State, clearly recognizing the plots and tricks of hostile and reactionary forces to distort, drive a wedge into, and undermine the great national solidarity bloc. The Front must be the nucleus in protecting the Party's ideological foundation and fighting against erroneous and hostile viewpoints, he added.

The leader said the highest goal is to serve people, urging the VFF and its member organizations to work harder to improve their living standards, particularly those of ethnic minorities and residents in remote, border, and island areas, former revolutionary bases, strategic regions, and areas with large religious populations.

The top leader said the VFF should fulfill its role in negotiations and coordinate with its member organizations in social supervision and criticism, especially on matters of national interests and public welfare.

He asked them to play a more active role in encouraging the public to engage in the fight against wastefulness, corruption, and other negative phenomena, firstly in the efforts to ensure the success of the elections of the 16th NA and all-people People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term.

The leader urged the VFF to revamp its operations, diversify mobilization forms, and promote the role of scientists, experts, outstanding individuals, and overseas Vietnamese in national development, and requested all-level Party Committees and authorities to continue their coordination with the Front in serving the people.