Promoting political commentary writing to build a strong ‘people’s hearts and minds posture’ in safeguarding the Party’s ideological foundation

This year’s launching ceremony is held under the theme: “Promoting the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, and mass associations assigned tasks by the Party and the State in participating in the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation in the new era of development.” This theme carries profound political and ideological significance, closely aligned with practical requirements in the context of the entire country striving to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, while also preparing for many major political events of the nation in 2026.

According to the organizational plan, the contest is launched to concretize the implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and the plans of the Central Steering Committee 35; thereby directly contributing to the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation in the new situation. The most prominent highlight of the contest is its orientation toward building a solid “people’s hearts and minds posture,” enhancing ideological resilience among cadres, Party members and the People, strengthening trust, fostering social consensus, and effectively serving the country’s key political tasks.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr. Trần Thắng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, and Head of the Steering Committee 35 of the Party Committee, emphasized that 2026 will witness many major events, marking the beginning of a new phase of national development. In that context, the work of protecting the Party’s ideological foundation and participating in safeguarding the political system must receive closer attention from each subordinate Party organization, especially Party committees and their leaders, and be implemented in a resolute and effective manner. This will continue to strengthen the great national unity, enabling the Front and its member organizations to truly serve as a strong bridge between the Party, the State and the People.

Not limited to its role as a movement initiative, this year’s contest is also designed to maximize the expansion of participants. In addition to cadres, Party members, civil servants, public employees, union members and association members within the system, the organizing committee also encourages the participation of intellectuals, artists, journalists, youth, students, the armed forces, businesses, overseas Vietnamese, and foreigners interested in Vietnam. This approach demonstrates the spirit of promoting the combined strength of the entire society in protecting the Party’s ideological foundation, thereby enabling this political task to spread more widely and deeply in practice.

In terms of format, each author or group of authors may submit up to five entries in different categories, ranging from political commentary articles in newspapers and magazines to radio, television, video clips and multimedia products. The expansion of formats not only encourages creative thinking but also meets the requirements of modern communication, contributing to bringing theoretical and political values closer to the public, especially the younger generation and users in the digital space. According to the plan, the contest will receive entries until June 15, 2026, after which preliminary and final rounds will be organized, with awards expected to be presented in October 2026. The judging process will be conducted rigorously through two rounds, with the application of technology to control duplication, ensuring objectivity, transparency and professional quality.

From the forum of the launching ceremony, Mr. Trần Thắng also called on subordinate Party organizations, the system of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, mass associations, and press agencies of these organizations to actively respond by publishing the plan, rules, and thematic guidelines appendices; at the same time, to study and organize the contest at their respective levels in a creative, practical and effective manner, in line with the functions, tasks and target groups of each unit. Notably, the press agencies of mass organizations are requested to open dedicated sections to receive contest entries, thereby creating additional channels for dissemination and gathering political commentary voices nationwide.

The launching of the contest took place on the occasion of the press briefing conference for the first quarter of 2026, further demonstrating the close connection between ideological work and journalism and communication activities across the entire system. At the conference, Mrs. Hà Thị Nga, Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations, Vice President and Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, acknowledged that press agencies had closely followed orientations, implemented their work methodically, and contributed to creating a widespread impact for many major political events. She also requested that in the second quarter, efforts continue to be intensified in communication on the Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front for the 2026–2031 term, the congresses of socio-political organizations, the implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, and the strengthening of efforts to counter wrongful and hostile viewpoints.

It can be seen that the Second Political Essay Contest on Protecting the Party’s Ideological Foundation, 2026, of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central mass organizations is not merely a writing contest, but also a widespread political and ideological activity that inspires the sense of responsibility, steadfastness and intellect of cadres, Party members, association members, union members, journalists, intellectuals and broad strata of the People. When each article and each media product is seriously and rigorously developed, sharp and highly persuasive, it will become an “ideological fortress,” contributing to maintaining the political front, strengthening social trust, and fostering aspirations for national development in the new era.