In a conversation with Thanh Nien on the occasion of the New Year, leading Vietnamese economic experts all affirmed that at the present time, we have all the elements to enter a new era, an era of national growth.
Many major foreign brands participate in the first semiconductor exhibition in Vietnam
PHOTO: MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND INVESTMENT
Katolec Vietnam Co., Ltd. - Quang Minh Industrial Park, Hanoi
PHOTO: PHAM HUNG
Developing the digital economy as a driving force for the new era. In the picture : Microchip and high-rise system laboratory at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
PHOTO: NGOC DUONG
Dr. Le Dang Doanh , former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management:
The driving force for breakthrough innovation
PHOTO: TIEU PHONG
It can be said that the country's rise and overcoming many harsh challenges in the early years of renovation all originated from the fact that the Party and State leaders listened to and summarized the people's innovations for reform. That was when we implemented contracts in agriculture, the "fence-breaking" movement in state-owned enterprises; boldly opened a policy to strongly develop the private economic sector. The first renovation was successful thanks to the country's leaders at that time who implemented the motto "looking straight at the truth, clarifying the truth, telling the truth", promoting the country's potential. This time too, to bring Vietnam into a new era, General Secretary To Lam has repeatedly emphasized the issue of institutional reform, applying the digital economy and innovation. Here I want to clearly analyze two ideas: digital economy and institutional reform. Firstly, digital transformation in all industries, all fields, and enterprises should be considered both a driving force and a must to increase capital efficiency, helping to increase profits for enterprises and the economy. E-government, the establishment of digital enterprises, and digital citizens require comprehensive transformation and profound innovation. A clear orientation will help the economy develop smoothly in the right direction. Secondly, which is also the most important factor - institutional reform. We have carried out the "furnace campaign" very well in the past, major corruption cases have been exposed and money has been recovered for the state. However, petty corruption is still very common. Harassment by officials, civil servants, and public employees when handling procedures causes enterprises to spend a lot of "grease" and "unofficial" costs. These are the biggest wastes that corrode the economy. To enter a new era, the General Secretary announced the reform of the Party and State apparatus, looking straight at the truth, pointing out the shortcomings and weaknesses and finding solutions. This is an important signal for people and businesses to trust and expect, on that basis, the efficiency of the apparatus will be better, more transparent, no longer the mechanism of asking - giving to oppress businesses and oppress people. I hope that the synchronous problem-posing will be realized through policies and practical actions, encouraging the participation of all people so that Vietnam has the motivation to move forward to a new breakthrough, entering a new era.
Professor Augustine Ha Ton Vinh:
3 major bottlenecks to be solved
PHOTO: NVCC
This year, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country, a historical journey of nearly a century, not too long compared to the history of a country's development but enough to prove how a country has gradually become powerful. In 1986, Vietnam began its renovation process. At that time, inflation peaked at nearly 775%, the size of the economy was only 26.88 billion USD. People's lives were extremely difficult and deprived. However, the renovation has brought the Vietnamese economy to a new page. Most importantly, this is a period of fundamental transition from the old management mechanism to the new management mechanism, initially liberating the productive forces, creating new development momentum. In 2024, the size of Vietnam's economy is forecast to reach about 469.67 billion USD. This is a spectacular breakthrough. However, looking at developed countries, the size of Vietnam's economy is still quite modest. Vietnam’s GDP per capita ranks behind many countries, from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia… That shows where we are, and why we need to enter a new era. This is the second innovation, with a higher stature, greater determination, more drastic, requiring people who dare to think new, dare to do new, even correct mistakes. With that spirit, I believe we can do it.
There are three major bottlenecks that Vietnam needs to solve to enter the new era: institutions, infrastructure, and human resources. Here, I only talk about the issue of human resources and the use of talents. I am a Vietnamese American. I returned to Vietnam because I love this land, it is my homeland. I am proud to be Vietnamese and want to emphasize one thing, as a Vietnamese person, or having Vietnamese origin, everyone wants to make their country rich and beautiful. Currently, Vietnam is developing a strategy to build the semiconductor industry, which is a field with many talented Vietnamese people abroad. If we talk about removing bottlenecks in the use of talents, would we dare to assign overseas Vietnamese to be chief engineers of a project, such as building the semiconductor chip industry? Or in the role of advisor to specialized ministries. Historically, President Ho Chi Minh once appointed Professor Nguyen Van Huyen, a non-Party member, as Minister of Education and Training for nearly 30 years. In most of the key industries and fields of modern science, from electronics, biology, new materials, new energy, information technology to aviation, space, oceanography, etc., there are Vietnamese experts participating in research and working in developed countries. This is a resource that needs attention in the process of building the era of national development.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Lien , Chairman of Vietnam Internet Association:
Real opportunity for Vietnam to enter a new era
PHOTO: NVCC
Digital economy, or simply put, is the application of information technology in all fields at a deeper level than before, creating added value and bringing a better life to people. In addition, the digital economy also creates new, breakthrough products. Vietnam does not have a developed economy, but that is the opportunity and motivation to move faster and stronger into the new era. Like before, Vietnam had the internet later but the speed increased rapidly and is now on par with the world. Determined to develop the digital economy, using it as a new growth driver for Vietnam in the next era - developing the economy based on the pillars of science, technology, innovation, startup development and the contribution of the private enterprise sector. Because the growth drivers of the economy in the past are no longer suitable in the coming time. Therefore, from the direction of General Secretary To Lam and the current reality of the country, we can completely believe that this field will progress faster in the future. To move faster and further, we must boldly look at opportunities in foreign markets. Development policies and legal corridors for the digital economy in general and industries such as digital content industry and AI in particular are also oriented towards the global market.
Dr. Nguyen Duc Do , Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Finance:
A promising move
PHOTO: NVCC
It can be seen that the orientations for Vietnam to enter a new era, an era of national growth that General Secretary To Lam and the Government have set out are all in the right direction. From streamlining the apparatus, cutting staff to digitalizing the economy to increase labor productivity, increase people's income, reduce regular costs, and allocate resources for investment... are all very correct directions. In particular, the first moves in institutional reform and streamlining the apparatus have been implemented very quickly and strongly, demonstrating high determination, bringing great expectations for a practical transformation. Of course, whether Vietnam's economy can accelerate in 2025 or not depends on many objective factors such as the world economy, international market demand... However, reforming the administrative apparatus is a mandatory factor for us to be able to go far and go sustainably. Throughout the process of Vietnam's economic innovation and development, each step forward is associated with an institutional revolution. For a long time, Vietnam's economy has been sluggish, although it has kept up with new trends but has not been able to bring about clear results, largely due to institutional and administrative shortcomings. The same goes for public investment, having money but not being able to spend it is because no one dares to decide, and is afraid of passing the buck. Therefore, starting the innovation process with an institutional revolution is very appropriate. From a streamlined, transparent apparatus, it will create an open business environment, not only supporting domestic enterprises to develop but also helping to attract FDI capital flows, clearing nests for eagles to come to Vietnam, continuing to solve the problem of capital sources. At the same time, promoting the digital economy to improve labor productivity. However, it is necessary to identify that the reform process still has many difficulties and barriers. The initial transformation will take about 1-2 years, then how effective it will be, how fast the Vietnamese economy can accelerate, will require many factors and it will take time for new policies to take effect.
Associate Professor - Dr. Vu Minh Khuong , Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy - Singapore:
Breakthrough policies will create endogenous strength
PHOTO: NVCC
Often in a difficult period, Vietnam always has a breakthrough factor, which can be called a very strong rise, promoting change and creating a turning point for the economy. That rise is strong thanks to two factors, aspiration and endogenous. History has proven that this change comes from the vision of the leader with great aspiration, the consensus and determination of the entire political system like the Dien Hong Conference in the past, spreading to the whole people, making the spirit more excited, the belief stronger, and success will surely come. Vietnam has both of the above factors. The country's resources may be small, but the breakthrough policy mechanism goes in the right direction, in accordance with the people's aspirations and the country's circumstances, will create endogenous strength.
1986 is considered the first important reform after the National Reunification Day, creating a very impressive rise of Vietnam. There were unimaginable difficulties that could not be overcome, but we succeeded. It was a change in thinking, breaking barriers, a desire to reach far, and boldly integrate. That transformation is very proud and appreciated. In 2024, with the high determination of the entire political system headed by General Secretary To Lam, I see this second reform much different, determined to untie thinking, not in the mindset of breaking barriers but building, scientific institutions to have a powerful nation that future generations must be grateful and proud of. In that context, we are in a position for the future, wishing to contribute, ready for an era of take-off. I feel this very clearly when meeting with dedicated retired and incumbent leaders, local leaders, senior officials, businesses, foreign investors... So, this is a priceless opportunity, don't miss the chance, this time is much more difficult than the first time but we will do it.
Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet , Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic and Policy Research, University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi:
Digital economy helps increase the value of economic sectors
PHOTO: NVCC
We are hearing a lot about the digital economy and this is the main driving force for Vietnam to enter the new era. The digital economy is very broad, it includes digital government, digital transformation, digitalization of business sectors... For example, in the past, starting with application software to connect car or motorbike drivers, it formed a ride-hailing technology platform or a part of the sharing economy. Or e-commerce activities, if simply selling online, are not enough, but must apply artificial intelligence (AI), automatic sales, virtual floors, consumer behavior analysis based on big data (Big Data)...
The world is developing rapidly with new technologies in all activities associated with AI, semiconductor chips, Big Data and this is truly an opportunity, an opportunity for Vietnam to grow faster. To seize this opportunity, we need to identify priorities. For example, developing the Platform Economy - a part of the digital economy where economic and social activities take place on digital platforms. This is an opportunity for leading and connecting innovations and creations, spreading to many different industries, especially in the service industry. For example, why has Vietnam not yet developed applications for public buses, trains combined with payment for purchases at public places, vending machines, etc. The next step is that we need to have breakthrough pilot policies (Sandbox), creating a stronger push for economic sectors to truly transform to the digital economy, not just simply applying technology as before.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/but-pha-vao-ky-nguyen-moi-18525010319323892.htm
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