The Permanent Member[a] of the Secretariat,[b] officially the Permanent Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat (Vietnamese: Thường trực Ban Bí thư Trung ương Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam), is a senior position within the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat
Emblem of the Communist Party of Vietnam
since 25 October 2024
Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam
StyleComrade
TypePermanent secretary
Member ofCentral Committee, Political Bureau and the Secretariat
Reports toCentral Committee
SeatHeadquarters of the Party Central Committee
1 Hùng Vương Street, Ba Đình district, Hà Nội
AppointerPolitical Bureau
Term lengthFive years, renewable
Constituting instrumentCharter of the Communist Party of Vietnam
Inaugural holderNguyễn Duy Trinh
Formation47 years and 338 days
Unofficial namesStanding Member
Executive Secretary
WebsiteHomepage

The Permanent Member is appointed by the Politburo, and is responsible for the management of directives and day-to-day work of the Secretariat. A member of both the Politburo and the Secretariat, the officeholder is often considered the fifth most powerful figure in Vietnam's political system — immediately behind the General Secretary of the Central Committee, the President, the Prime Minister and the Chair of the National Assembly.[5]

The current officeholder is Trần Cẩm Tú, who was appointed by a decision of the 13th Politburo on 25 October 2024 to replace Lương Cường, who was appointed as President of Vietnam, succeeding General Secretary Tô Lâm.[6]

History

edit

The office was established at the Party's 4th National Congress.[7]

During the tenure of the 8th Central Committee (1996–2001), the Secretariat was replaced by the Politburo Standing Committee, thus, the office was known as Permanent Member of the Politburo Standing Committee.

The current qualifications for the officeholder is in accordance with Regulation No. 214-QD/TW dated 2 January 2020 of the Politburo on title standards and evaluation criteria for cadres under the management of the Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat.[8]

Selection process

edit

Political qualifications

edit

A Permanent Member of the Secretariat has to be a Central Committee member. To be elected to the Central Committee, one must show absolute loyalty to the Party’s interests, the nation and the people. Moreover, a Central Committee member must steadfastly commit to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, national independence, socialism and the Party’s line. The Permanent Member must have an unwavering political stance and show political bravery. Therefore, the individual must resolutely protect the Party's ideology, the Party's Platform, the Party's line, the Constitution and the State's laws and combat erroneous views. Moreover, they must be patriotic, always put the interests of the Party, nation and the people above their personal interests, and be willing to sacrifice themself for the Party’s revolutionary cause, national independence and the people’s happiness.[9]

As a Central Committee member, a Permanent Member must have exemplary ethics and live a good lifestyle. The 214-QD/TW regulations state that the Permanent Member has to have exemplary moral qualities such as living honestly, humbly, sincerely, purely, simply, tolerantly, and being thrift, having a high sense of integrity, fairness and impartiality. Furthermore, the regulation stresses that the officeholder must not have ambition for power, while stressing the need for enthusiasm and a high sense of responsibility for work. A Permanent Member cannot be corrupt, seek opportunities for personal profiteering and must resolutely combat, prevent and repel deterioration of political ideology, morality, lifestyle, manifestations of self-evolution, self-transformation, bureaucracy, corruption, negativity, waste, rights and group interests in the party-state. More specifically, the Permanent Member cannot let relatives and acquaintances take advantage of their positions and powers for profit. A Permanent Member must strictly implement the Party's organisational and disciplinary principles, especially the principles of democratic centralism and criticism and self-criticism. It is expected that the officeholder properly exercises their powers and responsibilities and direct the strict implementation of principles, regulations and procedures on cadre work as well as resolutely struggling against manifestations and deeds contrary to the regulations of the Party and the State in cadre work.[9]

Work qualifications

edit

Since every Permanent Member has also served concurrently in the Politburo, the party regulation 214-QD/TW of 2020 states explicitly that one must have served a full term in this body before the appointment. To guarantee a successful selection process and that the candidate possesses the appropriate qualifications, it is essential for the Permanent Member to possess the following traits and abilities: a high standing, a core of unity in the Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and throughout the Party. Possess a strong degree of political acumen, broad knowledge and expertise in party building and political system construction. The Permanent Member is also expected to be well-informed about politics, economics, culture, society, defence, security and international relations. Understanding of politics, decision-making abilities in management, and the capability to coordinate the staff and agencies of the Party Central Committee, Fatherland Front, and socio-political organisations efficiently and harmoniously are all critical qualifications. Finally, the Permanent Member is expected to have former experience as a secretary of provincial and city committees or as a leader of central commissions, ministries, and branches.[10]

According to party regulation 214-QD/TW, a Permanent Member should possess the following qualities: objectiveness, comprehensiveness, dialectical perspective, an understanding of history, innovative thinking, and strategic vision. Science-based working methods, political acumen, and the capability to lead, direct, and organise the effective implementation of Party policies and guidelines, as well as the laws of the State, are crucial for the officeholder. In addition, she or he must be capable of summarising practice, theoretical research, analysis, and forecasting. A Permanent Member must have an in-depth knowledge of the general situation, the fields, localities, agencies and units assigned to manage and take charge of them. As well as identifying contradictions, challenges, new problems, complex problems, limitations, and weaknesses in practice, the officeholder must also proactively propose feasible and effective tasks and solutions. An ideal candidate should be dynamic, creative, hardworking, industrious, daring to think, act, assume responsibility, do things decisively, and be open to experiencing difficulties. As a result, the permanent member must base his work on the premise that sayings go hand-in-hand with actions. A candidate must have outstanding achievements, have specific results and have made an essential contribution to promoting the development of industries, localities, agencies and units. Moreover, the candidate must be willing to work on issues that are important to the people and be willing to serve the people wholeheartedly. Last, as a Permanent Member, one must be able to form the nucleus that gathers and promotes the synergy of the political system and, as such, must be highly trusted by fellow Party members and the masses.[9]

In addition to these, regulation 214-QD/TW states that the candidate must have obtained a university degree or undergone a course at the party school, the Hồ Chí Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration. Experience in state management as a senior specialist or equivalent is also a positive, as well as speaking a foreign language and having basic computer skills. A candidate should also be healthy enough to perform his duties. The candidate must fit the age requirements set by Party's regulations. Furthermore, a candidate should have experience as a successful leader and key manager of direct subordinates before being appointed.[9]

Duties and responsibilities

edit

In accordance with Clause 5 of Article 7 of Regulation 80-QD/TW dated 18 August 2022, the Permanent Member is responsible for assuming the prime responsibility for, alongside the Head of the Central Organisation Commission and the Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission, reviewing the election results and deciding on the approval of the newly-elected executive committees, standing committees, secretaries and deputy secretaries. In addition, it must review the election results for inspection commissions and those of provincial committees, city committees and party committees directly under the Central Committee. The Permanent Member can, as long as they are not in breach of the Party's Charter, appoint additional members of standing committees directly under the Central Committee. In addition, the Permanent Member can appoint members of party delegations. Furthermore, the Permanent Member can give opinions on the personnel of members of the Politburo and the Secretariat, the Vice President of Vietnam, deputy prime ministers and the vice chairs of the National Assembly. In accordance with Politburo and/or Secretariat decisions, the Permanent Member may re-appoint cadres under the Secretariat to manage the work of party committees, agencies, units, and social organisations directly under its jurisdiction. In the event that they are not eligible for reappointment, they must inform the relevant authorities.[11]

Officeholders

edit
Permanent Members of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat
No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration Electoral term BY PM Birthplace Gender Ref.
1   Nguyễn Duy Trinh 20 December 1976 31 March 1982 5 years and 101 days 4th CC
(1976–1982)
1910 1930 Nghệ An province Male [12]
2   Lê Đức Thọ 30 April 1980 31 March 1982 1 year and 335 days 1911 1930 Nam Định province Male [13]
3   Lê Thanh Nghị 30 April 1980 31 March 1982 1 year and 335 days 1911 1930 Hải Dương province Male [14]
4   Võ Chí Công 31 March 1982 21 June 1986 4 years and 82 days 5th CC
(1982–1986)
1912 1935 Quảng Nam province Male [15]
5   Nguyễn Văn Linh 21 June 1986 18 December 1986 180 days 1915 1936 Hưng Yên province Male [16]
6   Đỗ Mười 18 December 1986 22 June 1988 1 year and 187 days 6th CC
(1986–1991)
1917 1939 Hà Nội City Male [17]
7   Nguyễn Thanh Bình 22 June 1988 27 June 1991 3 years and 5 days 1918 1939 Bắc Ninh province Male [18]
8   Lê Đức Anh 27 June 1991 23 September 1992 1 year and 88 days 7th CC
(1991–1996)
1920 1938 Thừa Thiên Huế province Male [19]
9   Đào Duy Tùng 23 September 1992 1 July 1996 3 years and 282 days 1924 1945 Phúc Yên City Male [20]
10   Lê Khả Phiêu 1 July 1996 16 December 1997 1 year and 168 days 8th CC
(1996–2001)
1931 1949 Thanh Hóa province Male [21]
11   Phạm Thế Duyệt 16 December 1997 22 April 2001 3 years and 127 days 1936 1965 Hải Dương province Male [22]
12 Nguyễn Phú Trọng 26 August 1999 22 April 2001 1 year and 239 days 1944 1968 Hà Nội City Male [23]
13   Trần Đình Hoan 22 April 2001 27 June 2001 66 days 9th CC
(2001–2006)
1939 1962 Hưng Yên province Male [24]
14   Phan Diễn 27 June 2001 24 April 2006 4 years and 301 days 1937 1962 Quảng Nam province Male [25]
15   Trương Tấn Sang 24 April 2006 3 August 2011 5 years and 101 days 10th CC
(2006–2011)
1949 1969 Long An province Male [26]
16   Lê Hồng Anh 3 August 2011 4 February 2016 4 years and 185 days 11th CC
(2011–2016)
1949 1968 Kiên Giang province Male [27]
17   Đinh Thế Huynh 4 February 2016 2 March 2018 2 years and 26 days 12th CC
(2016–2021)
1953 1974 Nam Định province Male [28]
18   Trần Quốc Vượng 2 March 2018 5 February 2021 2 years and 340 days 1953 1979 Thái Bình province Male [29]
19   Võ Văn Thưởng 5 February 2021 6 March 2023 2 years and 29 days 13th CC
(2021–2026)
1970 1993 Vĩnh Long province Male [30]
20   Trương Thị Mai 6 March 2023 16 May 2024 1 year and 71 days 1958 1985 Quảng Bình province Female [31]
21   Lương Cường 16 May 2024 25 October 2024 162 days 1957 1978 Phú Thọ province Male [32]
22   Trần Cẩm Tú 25 October 2024 Incumbent 28 days 1961 1990 Hà Tĩnh province Male [33]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ or alternately, Standing Member[1]
  2. ^ also referred to as Executive Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam by foreign media[2][3][4]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Is the Communist Party of Vietnam Set to Establish a 'Core Leadership' Position?". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07."Communist Party of Vietnam Leadership Appointments – The Geography Factor". FULCRUM. 2021-01-20. Retrieved 2023-03-07."Politburo member, Standing member of PCC's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong". Vietnam+. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Secretary Kerry's Remarks With Vietnamese Executive Secretary Dinh The Huynh". United States Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023."Vietnamese Communist Party names new executive secretary of secretariat". Xinhua News Agency. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  3. ^ Hutt, David. "Three-Horse Race for Vietnam's Next Communist Party Chief". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2023-03-07. Tran Quoc Vuong, Trong's right-hand man and current executive secretary of the Central Committee Secretariat, is the front-runner"Vietnam's new leaders will prioritise economy". Emerald Expert Briefings. oxan–db (oxan–db). 2020-01-01. doi:10.1108/OXAN-DB258458. ISSN 2633-304X. S2CID 240672601. Tran Quoc Vuong, currently executive secretary of the Central Committee Secretariat, is most likely to become CPV chief, as he is Trong's favoured candidate for the roleNguyen, Phuong (2017). "VIETNAM IN 2016: Searching for a New Ethos". Southeast Asian Affairs: 407–420. doi:10.1355/aa17-1w. ISSN 0377-5437. JSTOR 26492621. Prime Minister Phuc and party executive secretary Huynh have both visited China since taking officeSidel, Mark (1999). "Vietnam in 1998: Reform Confronts the Regional Crisis". Asian Survey. 39 (1): 89–98. doi:10.2307/2645598. ISSN 0004-4687. JSTOR 2645598. conservative Party leader and former Political Bureau Executive Secretary Dao Duy Tung
  4. ^ "Will Vietnam's anti-corruption drive usher in pro-China hardliners?". South China Morning Post. 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  5. ^ Thu, Huong Le (12 October 2018). "Riptides in Vietnam's top leadership". The Strategist. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Vietnam appoints army general as new president after months of turmoil". AP News. 2024-10-21. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  7. ^ Thông báo số 06-TB/TW, ngày 22 tháng 2 năm 1977 về việc phân công trong Ban bí thư (PDF) (Văn kiện Đảng toàn tập ed.). Communist Party of Vietnam. 1977.
  8. ^ "Quy định khung tiêu chuẩn chức danh, tiêu chí đánh giá cán bộ thuộc diện Ban Chấp hành Trung ương, Bộ Chính trị, Ban Bí thư quản lý" (PDF).
  9. ^ a b c d "Tiêu chuẩn của Thường trực Ban Bí thư" [Standards of the Permanent Member of the Secretariat] (in Vietnamese). Thư Viện Pháp Luật. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  10. ^ Tài, Lục Trung (4 March 2023). "Thường trực ban bí thư mới nhất 2023 là ai? Tiêu chuẩn để trở thành thường trực ban bí thư là gì?" [Who is the latest Permanent Member of the Secretariat in 2023? What is the standard for becoming a Permanent Member of the Secretariat?] (in Vietnamese). Thư Viện Pháp Luật. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  11. ^ Tài, Lục Trung (7 March 2023). "Muốn trở thành Thường trực Ban Bí thư thì phải là Ủy viên Bộ chính trị trọn vẹn ít nhất bao nhiêu nhiệm kỳ?" [To become a Permanent Member, how many terms must you serve as a Politburo member?] (in Vietnamese). Thư Viện Pháp Luật. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Kỷ niệm 110 năm Ngày sinh đồng chí Nguyễn Duy Trinh (15-7-1910 - 15-7-2020): Người cộng sản kiên trung, nhà ngoại giao xuất sắc" [110th Anniversary of the Birth of Comrade Nguyễn Duy Trinh (15-7-1910 - 15-7-2020): Staunch communist, excellent diplomat]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 4 April 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Lê Đức Thọ-Một nhân vật lịch sử với những trọng trách lớn" [Lê Đức Thọ-A Historical Figure With Great Responsibilities]. People's Army Newspaper (in Vietnamese). 9 October 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Chính trị: Hội thảo khoa học "Đồng chí Lê Thanh Nghị với cách mạng Việt Nam và quê hương Hải Dương"" [Politics: Scientific conference "Comrade Le Thanh Nghi with the Vietnamese revolution and his native Hai Duong"]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 24 April 2021. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Nguyên Chủ tịch nước Võ Chí Công từ trần" [Former President Võ Chí Công dies]. Tuổi Trẻ (in Vietnamese). 8 September 2011. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  16. ^ Sang, Trương Tấn (1 July 2010). "Học tập tấm gương đồng chí Nguyễn Văn Linh, quyết tâm đưa sự nghiệp đổi mới tiến lên giành những thắng lợi mới (*)" [Study the example of Comrade Nguyễn Văn Linh, determined to bring the cause of innovation forward to win new victories (*)]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
    "Đồng chí Nguyễn Văn Linh" [Comrade Nguyễn Văn Linh] (in Vietnamese). Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Nguyên Tổng Bí thư Đỗ Mười từ trần" [Former General Secretary Đỗ Mười dies]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 2 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
    "Thông cáo đặc biệt" [Special Communique]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
    Mydans, Seth (2 October 2018). "Do Muoi, Vietnam's Leader in Economic Transition, Dies at 101". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Tóm tắt tiểu sử Ðồng chí Nguyễn Thanh Bình" [Brief biography of Comrade Nguyễn Thanh Bình]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 21 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Nguyên Chủ tịch nước Lê Đức Anh qua đời ở tuổi 99" [Former President Lê Đức Anh dies at 99]. Workers (in Vietnamese). 22 April 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Đường phố Thành Nam: Phố Đào Duy Tùng" [Chengnan Street: Đào Duy Tùng Street]. Nam Định Online (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  21. ^ "[Infographic] Nguyên Tổng Bí thư Lê Khả Phiêu (1931–2020)" [[Infographic] Former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu (1931–2020)]. Nhân Dân (in Vietnamese). 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Phạm Thế Duyệt" [Phạm Thế Duyệt] (in Vietnamese). National Assembly of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Đồng chí Nguyễn Phú Trọng" [Comrade Nguyễn Phú Trọng] (in Vietnamese). Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Trần Đình Hoan" [Trần Đình Hoan] (in Vietnamese). National Assembly of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
    "Đồng chí Trần Đình Hoan từ trần" [Comrade Trần Đình Hoan dies]. Government of Vietnam E-newspaper (in Vietnamese). 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Phan Diễn" [Phan Diễn] (in Vietnamese). Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
    "Trao tặng Huy hiệu 60 năm tuổi Đảng cho đồng chí Phan Diễn" [Awarding the 60-year-old Party Badge to Comrade Phan Diễn] (in Vietnamese). Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. 17 December 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Trương Tấn Sang" [Trương Tấn Sang] (in Vietnamese). National Assembly of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Lê Hồng Anh" [Lê Hồng Anh] (in Vietnamese). National Assembly of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  28. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị, Bí thư Trung ương Đảng Đinh Thế Huynh" [Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee Đinh Thế Huynh] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  29. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị khóa XII; Thường trực Ban Bí thư Trung ương Đảng khóa XII Trần Quốc Vượng" [Member of the 12th Politburo, Member of the 12th Central Committee Secretariat Trần Quốc Vượng] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị, Thường trực Ban Bí thư Võ Văn Thưởng" [Member of the Politburo, Standing Member of the Secretariat Võ Văn Thưởng] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị, Bí thư Trung ương Đảng Trương Thị Mai" [Member of the Politburo, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Head of the Central Organisation Committee Trương Thị Mai] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị, Thường Trực Ban Bí Thư Lương Cường" [Member of the Politburo, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Trương Thị Mai] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Ủy viên Bộ Chính trị, Thường Trực Ban Bí Thư Trần Cẩm Tú" [Member of the Politburo, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Trần Cẩm Tú] (in Vietnamese). National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Retrieved 25 October 2024.