Increasing the role and position of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in the political system and society is crucial when it comes to strengthening national solidarity and development.

The eighth national congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front is to take place in Hanoi from September 25-27, under the theme “Solidarity – Democracy – Renovation – Development”, the VFF Standing Committee announced at a press conference on September 16.

More than 1,000 Vietnamese delegates from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, countries of residence and professions are expected to participate in the event to review the organisation’s performance and devise an action plan for the 2014-2019 period.

The personnel structure for the next tenure will see a rise in the number of individuals representing the working class, farmers, small traders and residents of the island districts, in a bid to jointly safeguard the sovereignty of Vietnam ’s seas and islands.

Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the VFF’s Central Committee Vu Trong Kim said the organisation must invigorate its operations to be able to fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people.

In the 2013 Constitution, VFF is responsible for the tasks of creating social consensus; contributing to building a strong Party and administration through social supervision and criticism; and developing relations between the people of Vietnam and other nations around the world.

In 1977, VFF was created out of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front of North Vietnam , the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the Alliance of National, Democratic and Peace Forces of South Vietnam.

It acts as an umbrella organisation for Vietnamese socio-political organisations and forms the political base of the people’s power. During the process of nation-building and national development, the VFF plays a significant role in strengthening the block of solidarity.-VNA