Former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong and his wife. (Photo: VOV)

From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Chien was Secretary of Yen Bai province’s Party Committee while Mr. Trong was Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Home Affairs.

At that time, there was a case related to export and import activities in Yen Bai which remained unsettled for many years. Mr. Trong called a meeting to find a solution, saying local authorities had to take primary responsibility for the case.

“Mr. Trong said no matter how serious the matter was, the locality had to take responsibility because the case happened there. By resolving the problem, the locality would gain experience. We were very impressed by Mr. Trong’s approach, which resolved the case while enhancing respect for the local authorities,” Mr. Chien recalled.

Although he was born in a southwestern province, Mr. Trong spent a lot of time in Vietnam’s northwestern region after he was appointed Head of the Northwest Steering Committee.

Mr. Trong was known for his creativity and closeness to the people. He made fact-finding tours to remote communes in Yen Bai province as soon as he assumed his position there.

“Mr. Trong said you can learn a lot from the people, which is the greatest school for any cadre. Many lessons learned during the American war and the building of socialism have borne that out,” Mr. Chien said.

Mr. Vu Tien Chien, former Chief of the Office of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption. (Photo: VOV)

From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Trong served as Deputy Prime Minister and deputy head of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption. He proposed many initiatives to fight corruption, including honoring persons who bravely denounced cases of  wrongdoing and corruption. Mr. Trong also made contributions to a resolution that enhanced the Party’s leadership in the fight against corruption and wastefulness.

“Following the resolution, a number of documents and laws were promulgated, including the Anti-Corruption Law and Vietnam’s joining the UN Convention against Corruption. The Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption was founded with Mr. Trong as it deputy head,” said Mr. Chien.