On the threshold of a new era

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski has written an article sharing his views on the development paths of Australia and Vietnam, and highlighting Australia’s strong support for the directions that Vietnam is pursuing. We would like to respectfully introduce to our readers the main content of the article.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Andrew Goledzinowski speaking at the event. (Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam).

Eras of policy and structural reform are rare in the history of nations. But when they do occur, they are often followed by periods of rapid economic growth. This was Australia’s experience after the reforms of the late 1980s and early 1990s. In Vietnam, the late 1980s were a period of great change, setting the stage for decades of success. An elderly Vietnamese engineer explained to me the process of Doi Moi, which was like a giant spring that provided the spring for Vietnam’s economy and society for many years. He also said that “a new spring is needed to propel the country forward.” During my time in Vietnam, I learned the importance of balance and harmony. This means a balance between innovation and creativity and stability and continuity. I understand that, in Vietnam's history, stability has been the dominant trend, but there have been periods of significant change. I feel that we are on the threshold of a new era of innovation. I sense a broad consensus among the people that a new phase is necessary. On December 1, General Secretary To Lam gave a speech at a special conference. There were many things worth studying in the speech. There were a few things that immediately caught my attention. First, the speech was very much about action. Instead of the usual calls for increased foreign investment, infrastructure, and energy transition, the focus of the speech was on creating the necessary conditions to make all of this happen. Finally, the language in the speech was very direct. The focus of General Secretary To Lam's speech was on the apparatus of the political system and how to improve its efficiency. In this regard, the Vietnam-Australia Centre (VAC) has contributed to facilitating many exchanges and studies on reform. For me, the most outstanding part of the speech was the commitment to double-digit economic growth. Vietnam's new era is gradually emerging at a decisive time. The world situation is becoming more challenging. The world is witnessing a period of risk reduction, supply chain disruptions and possibly higher tariffs. This is not ideal for trade-oriented countries like Vietnam and Australia. But Vietnam still has advantages. That is, there is great interest in Vietnam when global capital flows are looking for safe destinations. The current geostrategic situation is complicated. Conflicts, tensions and the trend of gathering forces are spreading around the world. Vietnam's diplomacy is admired by the world. In the face of increasing geopolitical competition, I hope that Vietnam will continue to increase its contributions to the world. Vietnam and Australia are partners with differences. But more than 50 years of cooperation have created a relationship of trust and mutual respect. Today, many Australian companies are willing to invest in Vietnam in the fields of offshore wind power, processing of rare earths and critical minerals, digital transformation, agricultural technology, and higher education. I hope Australian projects will progress in all of these areas. Vietnam is an important country for Australia, not just in terms of trade. History shows us that a peaceful, prosperous Vietnam is essential for the stability and prosperity of the region. Although the challenges facing Vietnam today may be great, they are nothing compared to the challenges Vietnam has faced and overcome. The world will be amazed at Vietnam's rapid acceleration on the path to a new future. Source: https://nhandan.vn/truoc-nguong-cua-cua-ky-nguyen-moi-post848554.html