 |
Prime Minister, please tell us what are the reasons and lessons that have led Vietnam to develop so dramatically, even extraordinarily, in all fields today, especially how Vietnam has transformed from a country with food shortages into the third largest rice exporter in the world in a short time?
Looking back on the nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has achieved great and historic achievements. It can be affirmed that Vietnam has never had such a foundation, potential, position and international prestige as it does today. The size of the economy has increased more than 53 times, and per capita income has increased about 28 times. People's lives have improved significantly in both material and spiritual terms; the poverty rate has decreased from 60% in the early 1990s to 2.93% in 2023, Vietnam has completed the Millennium Development Goals early. The Human Development Index is among the highest among economies at the same level of development. Vietnam is currently an important link in global and regional supply chains and is one of the 20 economies with the largest trade scale in the world with a network of 16 signed FTAs and 03 FTAs under negotiation.
In recent years, despite the complicated developments in the world with many difficulties and challenges, Vietnam has maintained a stable macroeconomic foundation; inflation has been controlled; economic growth has been promoted; major balances of the economy have been ensured; state budget deficit, public debt, government debt, and national foreign debt are lower than the prescribed limit; trade balance has a surplus; energy security and food security have been ensured; the labor market has recovered and developed well. In 2023, the average CPI increased by 3.25%; GDP growth reached 5.05%; trade surplus was 28 billion USD; FDI attraction increased by over 32%. In the agricultural sector, Vietnam continues to achieve outstanding achievements, continuously developing in both scale and production level; not only meeting the need to firmly ensure domestic food security but also contributing to ensuring global food security. In 2023, 8.34 million tons of rice will be exported, the highest ever.
| RELATED NEWS | |
 | Creating a new 'push' for Vietnam-Romania substantive cooperation |
The important achievements above have many causes, and through summarizing practical experience, many valuable lessons have been drawn and effectively applied, of which the most prominent are:
Firstly, firmly grasp the flag of national independence and socialism. This is the fundamental and consistent line of the Vietnamese revolution and also the key point in the ideological legacy of President Ho Chi Minh. National independence and socialism are the fundamental factors to mobilize the combined strength from within and without, promote the will of self-reliance, self-strengthening, strive to overcome all difficulties and challenges, and successfully carry out the goals and tasks set out in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland of the Party, State and People of Vietnam.
Second, the revolutionary cause is of the people, by the people and for the people. Taking the people as the center, the subject, the driving force, the goal and the most important resource of development. Focus on promoting the people's mastery; all policies and strategies must truly originate from the lives, aspirations, rights and legitimate interests of the people, taking the happiness and prosperity of the people as the goal to strive for. President Ho Chi Minh's thought of "the country takes the people as the root" is the inheritance and promotion of the thousand-year historical tradition of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people and continues to be creatively applied in the process of innovation, integration and development of the country.
Third, constantly consolidate and strengthen solidarity: solidarity of the whole Party, solidarity of the whole people, national solidarity, international solidarity. The valuable experiences and traditions of solidarity were summarized by President Ho Chi Minh into the ideology of Great Solidarity: "Solidarity, solidarity, great solidarity. Success, success, great success" and have been preserved and promoted by the Party, State and People of Vietnam throughout the history of struggle to build and defend the Fatherland. Solidarity is also an important fundamental factor in the support and assistance of progressive forces fighting for democracy, progress and peace in the world.
Fourth, combine national strength with the strength of the times, domestic strength with international strength. National strength is an endogenous resource, including the main pillars of people, nature and the country's cultural and historical traditions; while the strength of the times is the trend of peace, cooperation and development, science and technology, knowledge economy, and globalization. In which, clearly identifying internal strength as fundamental, strategic, long-term, decisive and needing to be closely linked, harmoniously combined with external strength is important and breakthrough.
Fifth, the correct leadership of the Party is the leading factor determining the victory of the Vietnamese revolution. Grasp firmly, apply creatively, and contribute to the development of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought; all guidelines and policies must originate from reality and respect objective laws; constantly self-renew, self-rectify, improve capacity, and innovate the Party's leadership methods; build a clean and strong State and political system in all aspects; and step up the fight against corruption, negativity, and waste.
How can Vietnam combine Communist ideals with some of the rules of a market economy?
The important achievements in developing Vietnam's socialist-oriented market economy in recent times are primarily due to the firm grasp of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, creative application to Vietnam's specific conditions, and promotion of patriotism, cultural traditions, and thousands of years of history of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people.
The socialist-oriented market economy in Vietnam is a modern, internationally integrated market economy, operating fully and synchronously according to the laws of the market economy, under the management of the socialist rule-of-law state, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam; ensuring socialist orientation for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, and civilization.
This is an economy with many forms of ownership and many economic sectors, in which the state economy plays a leading role; the collective economy and cooperative economy are constantly consolidated and developed; the private economy is an important driving force; the economy with foreign investment capital is increasingly encouraged to develop; ensuring consistency with the strategy, planning and socio-economic development plan. Vietnam's foreign investment attraction in 2023 reached 36.6 billion USD, an increase of over 32% compared to 2022 in very difficult world conditions, clearly demonstrating Vietnam's attractiveness to the business community and international investors.
| RELATED NEWS | |
| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh leaves for WEF Davos 2024, official visit to Hungary and Romania |
In a socialist-oriented market economy, the State manages by policies, laws, strategies, and planning; uses market mechanisms, market tools, the laws of value, supply and demand, competition, etc. with the State's harmonious, reasonable, and effective regulation to liberate productive forces, clear, mobilize, and effectively use resources.
In which, the State promulgates and effectively implements a system of appropriate laws, mechanisms and policies to orient and create a transparent, fair and favorable legal environment for the development of economic sectors and economic entities. The State's adjustment and management aims to achieve socio-economic development goals in each period; link economic development with social progress and equity; overcome the shortcomings of the market mechanism, ensure the harmony of interests, create a favorable environment and conditions for rapid and sustainable development.
Prime Minister, could you please tell us about the most important decisions made by the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, especially the short-term and medium-term development goals of Vietnam?
The 13th National Party Congress clearly defined the goal of striving for Vietnam to become a developing country with modern industry by 2025, surpassing the low-middle income level; a developing country with modern industry and high-middle income by 2030; and a developed country with high income by 2045.
To achieve the above strategic goals, Vietnam focuses on building the fundamental elements for rapid and sustainable development - namely socialist democracy, a socialist rule-of-law state and a socialist-oriented market economy. Accelerating the implementation of three strategic breakthroughs in institutional improvement, human resource development and the construction of a synchronous and modern infrastructure system. Building an independent and self-reliant economy associated with active and proactive international economic integration, deeply, substantially and effectively. At the same time, Vietnam focuses on implementing major policies and decisions in all areas in the short, medium and long term, including:
In terms of economy, continue to prioritize promoting growth associated with maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, ensuring major balances of the economy. Promote economic restructuring associated with renewing the growth model towards industrialization and modernization, promoting science and technology, innovation, mobilizing and effectively using resources, improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy. Focus on renewing traditional growth drivers (investment, consumption, export); at the same time strongly promote new growth drivers such as digital economy, green economy, circular economy, emerging industries and fields (such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor chips, hydrogen, etc.).
Regarding culture, society, environment, comprehensively develop Vietnamese people and build an advanced culture with strong national identity to truly become an endogenous strength, a driving force for national development and protection of the Fatherland. Culture must be placed on par with economics, politics, and society. Arouse the tradition of patriotism, national pride, belief, and aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country. Do not sacrifice progress, social justice, and the environment in exchange for mere economic growth. Focus on ensuring social security, constantly improving the material and spiritual life of the people. Strengthen environmental protection, prevent natural disasters, and respond to climate change.
Regarding national defense and security, promote the highest comprehensive strength of the entire nation combined with the strength of the times to firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; maintain a peaceful and stable environment for national development; ensure political and social stability; maintain social order and safety; build an orderly and safe society. Promote decentralization and delegation of power; strengthen discipline and order; promote the prevention and fight against corruption, negativity and waste, contributing to strengthening people's trust.
Regarding foreign affairs, Vietnam firmly adheres to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, being a good friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community. Focusing on building an independent and self-reliant economy associated with proactive and active international integration, in which independence and self-reliance are the foundation and endogenous strength to enhance the effectiveness of international cooperation and integration. Practice over the past years has shown that this is a very correct and timely policy of Vietnam, contributing to helping the country overcome difficulties and challenges, achieving great achievements of historical significance.
Vietnam today is one of the world's most important actors in international relations, having friendly relations with all superpowers or major countries. How did Vietnam successfully achieve this position?
As the country that suffered the most pain and loss due to war, Vietnam understands better than anyone the value of peace. With the spirit of “putting aside the past, respecting differences, promoting similarities, and looking towards the future”, Vietnam has turned enemies into friends, changed confrontation into dialogue, and become a model of healing and rising up after the war with open, comprehensive foreign relations and deep, practical, and effective international integration.
From a besieged and embargoed country, Vietnam now has relations with 193 countries in the world; among 30 strategic and comprehensive partners, there are 05 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, 07 members of the G7 and 16 members of the G20. Vietnam is currently a member of more than 70 international organizations and forums, including the most important multilateral institutions of the region and the world.
The above important achievements are first of all thanks to Vietnam's correct foreign policy and guidelines based on closely following the practical situation, inheriting and promoting Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic ideology and strongly promoting the diplomatic identity of "Vietnamese bamboo: strong roots, strong trunk, flexible branches". Strong at the root is the tradition of self-reliance, self-improvement, for the benefit of the nation and people, the spirit of solidarity, humanity and loyalty. Strong at the trunk is the mettle, steadfastness, and courage in the face of all challenges and difficulties, hardships and difficulties. Flexible at the branches is the softness, cleverness, and creativity in implementing foreign affairs work.
The firmness, flexibility and agility in implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, diversification, multilateralization, proactiveness and active international integration through all channels of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and People have created the combined strength of Vietnam's foreign affairs. Along with that, the achievements in socio-economic development; socio-political stability, firmly ensuring national defense and security and persevering with the "four no's" defense policy (not participating in military alliances; not allying with one country to fight another; not allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use territory to fight against another country; not using force or threatening to use force in international relations) have contributed to Vietnam's current international position and prestige.
In the context of the regional and world situation forecast to continue to change rapidly, complicatedly, and unpredictably, with unprecedented issues, Vietnam's foreign affairs are facing more difficulties and challenges; however, we wish to join hands with other countries, peoples, and the international community to continue to proactively, positively, and effectively contribute to maintaining a peaceful, stable, and favorable environment for rapid and sustainable development, together creating and promoting new driving forces for growth and joining hands to respond to common global challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, etc.
How do you evaluate the current relationship between Romania and Vietnam?
Vietnam and Romania have enjoyed a very good traditional friendship and cooperation for nearly 75 years and continue to expand and develop positively. Romania was one of the first countries to recognize Vietnam and has provided valuable support and assistance in the struggle for national independence and unification in the past as well as in the construction and development of the country today. Romania has helped train about 4,000 cadres and experts for Vietnam, who are very valuable human resources for the construction and development of our country.
Romania has actively supported the process of Vietnam and the EU negotiating, signing, ratifying and implementing the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and is one of the first two EU countries to ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Romania was the first EU country to support 300,000 doses of vaccine, helping us overcome the pandemic and open up to recover and develop the economy. We always appreciate, are grateful for and will never forget the timely, sincere and meaningful help of the Government and People of Romania.
We are pleased with Romania's important socio-economic development achievements in recent times, especially its economic growth rate which has always been among the top in the EU, despite many difficulties in the world. GDP per capita has been constantly increasing, reaching over 17,000 USD in 2022 and estimated to reach over 18.5 thousand USD in 2023. At the same time, the relationship between Vietnam and Romania has also grown strongly in many fields. Two-way trade has nearly doubled from 261 million USD in 2019 to 425 million USD in 2022. The two countries have just signed an Education Cooperation Program for the period 2023 - 2026. Cooperation between localities of the two countries has been promoted. People-to-people exchanges have been increasingly strengthened; more and more Romanian tourists are visiting Vietnam.
With great opportunities, potential and room for cooperation, on the basis of the existing good traditional relationship, Vietnam wishes to further deepen the cooperative relationship with Romania, consolidate political trust through increasing the exchange of high-level delegations and all levels, on all channels; strengthen cooperation in multilateral and regional forums; continue to create breakthroughs in trade and investment to become a pillar in bilateral relations; promote cooperation in areas where Romania has strengths and Vietnam has potential such as education, culture, society, labor, digital economic development, green economy, circular economy, science and technology, artificial intelligence, emerging industries and fields...; at the same time, hope that the Romanian Government will continue to protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese workers in Romania, create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate, stabilize their lives and do business long-term, becoming a bridge connecting the two countries.
It is known that you studied in Romania and worked at the Vietnamese Embassy in Bucharest. Could you please share your memories of Romania and your feelings when you returned to visit Romania as Prime Minister of Vietnam?
Personally, I always keep deep impressions, good feelings and profound memories of the beautiful country of Romania, the hard-working, friendly, hospitable and affectionate Romanian people.
I will never forget my youthful years of studying and working in Romania. I remember the faces, voices, laughter and very familiar images of Romanian teachers and friends. It is thanks to them that they have contributed significantly to helping us international students achieve what we have today.
I and other former Vietnamese students and overseas students always remember and appreciate the contributions of teachers, friends and Romanian people who guided and helped us during our time studying here. With the knowledge and expertise acquired in Romania, we have, are and will continue to contribute to the construction and protection of the Fatherland of Vietnam; at the same time, actively contribute to the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples.
I am very happy and moved to return to Romania this time and believe that the visit will contribute to promoting, strengthening, deepening, becoming more substantive and effective the friendly cooperation between the two countries, for the benefit of the two nations, of the two peoples, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Source
Comment (0)