The path forward for Vietnam lies in a new era of growth, driven by unity, strong leadership, and the strategic management of national talent, as outlined by General Secretary To Lam.
Since being elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee (13th term) on August 3, 2024, General Secretary To Lam has delivered significant directives across various fields.
In three recent articles, including "Determination to Build a Strong Party, a Prosperous, Democratic, Equitable, and Civilized Vietnam" (August 4), "Digital Transformation - A Key Driver for Production Force Development, Improving Production Relations, Leading the Nation into a New Era" (September 2), and "Continuing to Innovate the Party's Leadership, an Urgent Requirement of the New Revolutionary Phase" (September 16), General Secretary To Lam repeatedly highlighted concepts of a "new starting point," a "new era," and the "era of rising for the Vietnamese nation."
Assessing both opportunities and challenges domestically, regionally, and globally, the Party, led by General Secretary To Lam, affirmed: "The nation is standing at a historical moment, a new era - an era of rising for the Vietnamese nation, requiring a profound change in leadership methods, enhancing leadership capabilities to guide the nation forward."
This also marks a significant orientation agreed upon at the 10th Central Committee meeting, reflected in the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress.
Accompanying the nation's journey into this new era, VietNamNet has launched the forum "New Era of the Nation," aiming to present articles, voices, and insights from intellectuals, experts, and readers on the path and means for the Vietnamese nation to rise.
In numerous recent speeches at home and abroad, General Secretary To Lam emphasized: "Vietnam is at a new historical moment, a new era - the era of the nation's rise." This is not just a message but also a resolute determination reaffirmed at the 10th Central Committee meeting.
VietNamNet interviewed Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Science and Training Council (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) and Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, to delve into this issue.
The aspiration for a prosperous nation and a thriving society has always been the dream of the Vietnamese people. Illustrative photo: Chi Hieu
THE PARTY'S HISTORICAL MISSION
Q: The 13th National Party Congress set the goal for Vietnam to become a developed, modern industrial nation with upper-middle income by 2030 and a high-income developed country by 2045. General Secretary To Lam affirmed: "Vietnam is at a new historical starting point, a new era - the era of the nation's rise." How do you view this statement by the General Secretary?
A: "Rising" is an action that exceeds the ordinary, unlike a gradual, leisurely progression under normal conditions. When the General Secretary repeatedly emphasizes that "Vietnam is at a new historical starting point, a new era - the era of the nation's rise," it implies that the nation is entering a period of accelerated progress, with greater intensity, while also facing more significant challenges and difficulties.
In my view, the General Secretary is sending a message to the entire Party and the people, expressing a strong desire for development and rallying the nation to embrace the difficulties and challenges on the path forward.
A prosperous nation, a thriving society has always been the aspiration of the Vietnamese people throughout history. As early as the country's independence, President Ho Chi Minh stated in a letter to teachers and students in 1945: "Whether Vietnam can reach the pinnacle of glory and stand shoulder to shoulder with world powers depends on the students' efforts."
After more than 30 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), the Party at its 13th National Congress called for the aspiration to make the country prosperous. Among the populace, there has been a substantial transformation in spirit, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere, driving towards a bright future for the nation. As General Secretary To Lam asserts, we are transitioning into a new phase. Looking back at history, this is an inevitable rule.
Throughout history, every great achievement has been inseparable from the role of the masses. All historical feats have been tied to the power of national unity. However, the key lies in how to harness this power, transforming it into reality - this is where leadership comes in.
BREAKTHROUGHS AND SPECIFIC CRITERIA
Specific criteria are needed for a prosperous country and a strong nation. Photo: Hoang Ha.
Q: The great objective of the Party aligns with the aspirations of the entire nation. What policy decisions should be made at the upcoming 14th Party Congress to achieve these goals?
A: The Party is actively preparing for the 14th Party Congress - a historic congress. In terms of personnel, I have had the privilege of engaging with the senior officials. I see that they are carefully selected, competent, determined, ambitious, and passionate. This gives me great confidence.
Vietnam is integrating rapidly with the world, so it is crucial to enhance technical solutions in management and governance, including digital transformation across political, social, and economic systems. This strengthens national power through technology, and we are actively pursuing it.
Another significant factor is identifying the key areas for breakthrough. Rapid development cannot be spread thin; it requires focused investment in critical areas. The 14th Congress will undoubtedly outline priority areas for investment in the coming years.
The congress will draft a comprehensive development plan for the next five years, but fundamentally, it must revolve around people, with a focus on talent strategy. Looking at experiences from neighboring countries such as China, South Korea, and Singapore, the strategic management of talent has been pivotal to their success.
Our ancestors once said, "The talented are the nation's lifeblood. When the nation's lifeblood is strong, the nation prospers and rises. When it weakens, the nation declines."
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang. Photo: Pham Hai
Talent must be seen as a valuable resource, but the most crucial asset of this resource lies in the ability to effectively utilize it. This is the Party's responsibility. The Party must grow robustly, channeling determination into the talented individuals within the leadership team.
Q: General Secretary To Lam emphasized maximizing "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-resilience, and national pride." What is the significance of this in the current context?
A: In my opinion, what Vietnamese people need most now are the words "self-confidence." We already have pride, but excessive pride can lead to complacency with what we have achieved. Our pride is rooted in the past achievements of our forefathers.
Self-confidence is about having the courage to pursue and realize aspirations. Overconfidence is not self-confidence; it is a misconception that arises from not properly understanding oneself. It is the opposite of inferiority. Only self-confidence allows us to accurately assess our strengths, turning them into international competitive advantages.
We will never become a powerful nation by merely imitating others. While we can learn from around the world, ultimately, we must chart our own course, walk on our own feet, and fly with our own wings.
As we prepare for this era of rising, higher demands will require meticulous, careful preparations without any room for error. This is our path toward a larger goal: to become a prosperous nation, standing shoulder to shoulder with the developed countries of the world. Strengthening national unity and building a strong leadership team is the preparation we need to achieve that goal.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
