This is the assessment of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu, Academician, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, former Member of the Party Central Committee, and former Deputy Minister of Defence, in an interview with the Nhan Dan Newspaper about the draft documents for 14th National Party Congress.
Maintaining independence and sovereignty: The foundation of the all-people defence
Hieu emphasised that in every historical stage, independence and sovereignty have always been the root of all development strategies. They are not only the highest goal but also a prerequisite condition to protect and develop the country. “The world may change, but Viet Nam must firmly maintain its independence,” he stressed.
From his many years of military service experience, Hieu believes that a peaceful and stable environment is the decisive factor for development. Without peace, one cannot talk about socio-economic development. Viet Nam has always identified building and defending the Fatherland as two strategic tasks, and the two tasks go hand in hand. Maintaining peace is to protect the conditions for sustainable development.
In every historical stage, independence and sovereignty have always been the root of all development strategies.
Within a country's overall power, the economy and defence have a mutually supportive relationship. A strong economy provides resources to consolidate defence and security; vice versa, a robust defence protects development achievements, creating a stable environment to attract investment and international integration.
“There can be no strong defence without an economy. The economy is the foundation; defence is the support. Both must be strengthened together in an overall development strategy,” emphasised Hieu.
Hieu noted that in the new era, mastering science and technology and maintaining independence and autonomy are matters of survival. Viet Nam must take advantage of the world’s finest achievements but select, inherit, and apply them suitably to the national circumstances and cultural traditions.
According to Hieu, the decisive factor in all successes remains the people. He stressed that human resource training is also preparing for the next generation, a long-term investment for the nation’s future.
He emphasised that no matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes, it is still a creation of humans and cannot replace humans. The important thing is to know how to exploit and use technology intelligently without becoming dependent on nor absolutising it.
He hailed that Vietnamese youths of today are dynamic, intelligent, and able to quickly access global knowledge. “Many Vietnamese students have won high awards in international competitions. This shows that our nation has great intellectual potential that must be promoted through policies that value talent and encourage creativity and contribution to the country,” he shared.
Promoting great national solidarity and fostering economy-defence-foreign relations
Hieu asserted that the strength of the great national unity is the source of Viet Nam’s power throughout history.
From the resistance wars against the French and the US to the current nation-building efforts, this strength has continued to be inherited and promoted. Under the light of President Ho Chi Minh's Thought, the Viet Nam People’s Army is identified as a fighting force, a working force, and a production labour force that both protects the Fatherland and has close attachment with the people.
During peacetime, many military units have become key forces in socio-economic development in remote, border, and island areas, exemplified by Corps 15 and 16 in the Central Highlands and units in the central and northern regions. These units have not only participated in production development and supporting local people to stabilise their lives and reduce poverty, but have also remained ready to fight at the call of the Fatherland.
Viet Nam’s “Four No’s” principles lay the foundation for the country to maintain its independence and self-reliance, while preserving a peaceful environment for development.
He emphasised that when the people’s trust in the armed forces is consolidated, a combined strength is formed that no force can subdue. Therefore, it is necessary to continue improving mechanisms and policies that combine economic development with consolidating defence and security, especially in strategic regions; at the same time, take care of people’s lives and strengthen the national solidarity bloc.
Hieu also highlighted Viet Nam’s independent and self-reliant foreign policy as a vivid expression of national resilience. He cited Viet Nam’s “Four No’s” principles — not joining any military alliances; not siding with one country against another; not giving any other countries permission to set up military bases nor use its territory to carry out military activities against other countries; not using force nor threatening to use force in international relations — as the foundation for the country to maintain its independence and self-reliance, while preserving a peaceful environment for development.
He noted that Viet Nam must continue building defence capacity linked to economic strength, developing modern defence industry, mastering science and technology, and independently developing strategic weapons and equipment.
“Developing the defence industry will contribute to promoting civilian science and technology, enhancing competition, and affirming Vietnamese intellectual strength on the international stage,” he stated.
According to him, the goals of these orientations are not only to maintain security and protect the Fatherland but also to build a strong and prosperous Viet Nam standing shoulder to shoulder with the world great powers, as President Ho Chi Minh had always wished.
Strategic vision and confidence in nationwide consensus
Regarding the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress, Hieu praised the draft documents for being carefully prepared, scientific, and realistic, clearly demonstrating the Party’s strategic vision for a new development phase. The objectives are specific and comprehensive across fields such as the economy, society, culture, defence, security, and foreign affairs.
What impressed him most was that the drafts provided forecast and orientation in face of world and regional developments, then proposed solutions in line with Viet Nam’s particular circumstances. “These documents look not only to 2030 but also develop a vision toward 2045, aiming for the building of a prosperous and happy nation,” he said.
When the voices of all social strata are heard, the documents truly become the crystallisation of the Party’s will and the people’s aspirations.
Hieu also appreciated the expanded consultation on the draft with people at home and overseas Vietnamese communities.
According to him, this is a democratic and scientific approach that reflects openness and stimulates responsibility, intellect, and affection of every Vietnamese person towards the fatherland’s future.
“When the voices of all social strata are heard, the documents truly become the crystallisation of the Party’s will and the people’s aspirations,” he emphasised.
Hieu affirmed: “After being finalised with the heartfelt contributions of the people, I believe that the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress will become a vivid and creative resolution reflecting the country’s development process, leading Viet Nam into a new development phase as an independent, self-reliant, strong, and humane country.”
