Delegates at launching ceremony of the book (Photo: VOV)

In the first article whose title gave the book its name, the Party leader raises some difficult questions and addresses them in a persuasive, strongly-argued, and logical way. Through in-depth arguments, Mr. Trong explains step by step, in theoretical and practical terms, what socialism is and why Vietnam selected the path to socialism, the two questions of greatest concern to the Communist Party of Vietnam. Mr. Trong wrote: “The socialism Vietnamese people are striving to achieve is a society of rich people, a strong country, democracy, equality, and civilization. It is a society run by the people, with a highly developed economy, a modern labor force, and progressive production. It is a society with an advanced culture embracing national identity. It is a society where people have wealth, freedom, happiness, and the opportunity to develop comprehensively and where ethnic groups are equal, united, and respect one another and help one another to grow. It is a society with a socialist law-governed state of the people, by the people, and for the people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. That society has friendship and cooperation with other countries in the world.”

The Party leader stressed that theory should be far-sighted and accumulate lessons and experience from reality. Mr. Trong’s articles address theoretical issues of national renewal including issues of economics, politics, diplomacy, the military, national defense, culture, social security, and the promotion of traditional values and national unity. His arguments make clear the characteristics, identity, nature and advantages of the socialist regime in Vietnam – a regime that works for the comprehensive development, wealth, and happiness of the people and for peace, social progress, and development.

The book clarifies the path that the Vietnamese people have selected – a wise but difficult path. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people are confident of success in pursuing this path.

Theories of socialism, the transition to socialism, and communism illuminate challenges and difficulties on the way to the long-term goal, which cannot be approached too hastily. Every economic policy needs to aim at social development, and the goal of building a civilized, healthy society in which people can pursue their legitimate interests with dignity and improve their minds, morality, lifestyle, and aesthetics, a society where people play the central role in development.

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s articles deliver a confident message about socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam which gives readers more confidence in the advantages of a socialist regime and a society that is truly for the people, where economic development parallels social progress and equality. Vietnamese people believe in a society of compassion, solidarity, mutual support, a society that embraces progress, humanity, sustainable development, and harmony with nature that ensures a good future for current and future generations, a society with a political system that is of the people, by the people, and for the people. The articles reflect the theory and accumulated wisdom of the Party and define the fundamental issues of the Vietnamese revolution in the coming period.