Months after the 80th anniversary of the country’s national day, red and yellow colors of Vietnam and its communist party flags are still seen strung out across Hanoi; from public buildings along tree-lined boulevards in the French Quarter to private homes tucked away in hidden alleys of the Old Quarter.
The widespread display of flags in the city are sprung up from strong feelings of national pride and patriotism, and that’s a powerful reminder of the nation’s fight for independence.
Guests on our walking food tours thus ask us if Vietnam is still a communist country, do people really own property, or do we have elections? Within the scope of this blog post, we think our thought on the politics and economy of Vietnam may help our readers.
Is Vietnam still a Communist Country?
We’ve learned that when using the term “communist country”, different travelers mean different things. If they mean countries where all property and means of productions are owned collectively, not privately. In that sense, no country, including Vietnam, is communist yet.
If they mean countries that are led by communist party, then Vietnam is a “communist country”. However, we only consider ourselves “socialist”. We don’t think communism is feasible yet. In stead, we’re trying to implement socialism, and wait until communism has a better chance.
The Difference between Socialism and Communism
Karl Marx laid out two stages of communism: the lower stage and the higher stage. The lower stage is socialism, which must be used as a transitional stage before true communism.
Lenin later insisted on the need for leadership by a vanguard party for professional proletarian revolutionaries. He established Union of Soviet Socialist Republics – the world’s first socialist state led by the communist party, with the hope of eventually becoming fully communist state after the entire world had proletarian revolutions.
- What’s Socialism?
Socialism is a social and political system, in which property and means of productions are equally allocated to each citizen according to their ability and contribution – by a democratically elected government.
There is personal property, it’s possible for some people to earn more than others. Classes and religion exist but differences are diminished. A phrase to summarize socialism is: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution.”
- What’s Communism?
Communism is a social and political system, in which property and means of productions are collectively owned by the goverment. The government controlls all facets of production, the output is distributed according to the needs of the people.
There is no personal property nor money, and the ability to earn more than other is almost nonexistent. Class and religion are effectively abolished. A phrase to summarize communism is: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
Politics of Vietnam
Politically, the country is dominated by the Communist Party. Since 1930 (when founded by Ho Chi Minh), the party has flexibly tailored Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought to apply to the specific conditions of Vietnam to pursue national independence, and to advance toward socialism.
Economically, Vietnam used to apply the centralized planning economy and subsidy system, which focused on state-owned enterprises and agricultural cooperatives. But the model did not work, it put the country in widespread food and good shortages – which caused serious economic and social crises.
The crises forced the party to reform, in 1986, by implementing a “socialist-oriented market economy”. It allows free market, encourages foreign direct investments, and promotes private businesses while maintaining socialist principles. Since, the reform has transitioned Vietnam to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The Communist Party of Vietnam
Since 1930, the Party has been the vanguard of the struggles for Vietnam independence. After establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on 2 Sep 1945, it’s been retaining to its role as the only legal party in Vietnam.
Which means all organs of the country’s political system, from the central government to the cluster levels, and to state-owned enterprises, are led by the party, with their key appointees are members of the party.
The party currently has about 5,5 million members, accounting for 5% of Vietnam’s population. Once every 5 years, the party organizes its national congress to elect the Central Committee (about 200 members), the committee will then elect the Politburo (about 20 members from among the committee).
Members of the Politburo are then nominated to hold important positions in the pollical system. Nominations are almost always approved, as the Politburo has an unofficial power to appoint members throughout the political system – where all authorities are party members.
Meetings within the Politburo are held regularly, where decisions are made through collective decision-making – which means that policies are only enacted if a majority of Politburo members support them.
Elections in Vietnam
Do we have elections in Vietnam? Yes, we do. But we vote for the only choice we have. Particularly, there are 2 voting systems held once every 5 years:
- Party members voting
Voting within the party following the democratic centralism. Members of the party votes from ward, wards vote up to the provinces, then delegates from provinces and high-ranking officials meet at the National Congress to vote for Central Committee. The Cental Committee votes for Politburo, and decides important issues of the country within the term.
- Citizens voting
Following the Party Congress, elections are held. Direct elections take place at both the local and central levels to elect members of the People’s Councils and the National Assembly, with all candidate nominations pre-approved by the part-led Vietnamese Fatherland Front.
Political Opposition to the Party?
Could people run for elections without being a member of the Party? If they can, does that mean there is effective political opposition to the Party?
The short answer to the first question is yes, and this fact has been used to claim anyone could become a delegate – a proof of democratic credibility. But, the answer to the second question is no.
Hope this post about our thought on the politics and economy of Vietnam provides new insight; and help you understand Vietnam a bit more. Go with us on our walking food tours to experience the flavors and textures of Vietnamese cuisine.
