In 1973, Vida, Ciucurencu and Corneliu Baba sent some of their works to be permanently displayed by the Museum of Solidarity in Socialist Chile; these arrived in the country shortly after the right-wing military coup, and are presumed lost. Vida was additionally recognized in 1974, when he became a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy while his works were being exhibited in Benelux and Scandinavia. Not having registered as a candidate in the March 1969 election, he ran on the Front of Socialist Unity list during the race of 1975, taking a seat reserved for Vișeu de Sus. In 1976, he participated in an homage to Brâncuși, while his own contributions were the subject of a documentary film by Sorin Ilieșiu. The following year, he sent works to be exhibited at a show marking 70 years since the Romanian Peasant Revolt; he also made his debut as a stage designer with a Botoșani production of "Andrei Mureșanu", based on a text by Mihai Eminescu. He became a recipient of the Star of the Socialist Republic of Romania, 2nd Class, in 1978, when he also saw his works featured at the Romanian modern art show in West Berlin. In his final years, Vida moved even closer to the staples of Greek sculpture, producing less Expressionistic works—including a "Flute Girl" in 1976. A 1978 depiction of Christ was heavily inspired by a wayside cross in Berbești, with only the most minimal carvings to a contorted pear-trunk; this "archetypal" period also produced totem poles which decorated Vida's house or were gifts to his friends. His final contributions include a stone version of the "Council of Elders", done in 1980. Still a member of the PCR Central Committee, Vida was head of the Great National Assembly's Committee on Education, Science and Culture from April 1, 1980. Suffering from chronic heart disease during his final years, he died in Baia Mare on May 11. According to Valter Roman, Vida was planning at the time two large-scale works: a marble representation of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 as a monument to human solidarity and brotherhood, and a monument to the International Brigades. Vida was survived by his son, the art critic Gheorghe Vida, and by daughter Zoe Vida Porumb, wife of art historian Marius Porumb.