As a researcher on international relations, with access to foreign press from other countries to update information and serve in my study, doing so has become my daily habit. Recently, I read an article titled “A number of theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam” by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong which was published in Nhan Dan (People’s) Newspaper. In fact, there are many articles on socialism, but there few articles as truthful, concise and thoughtful as those of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
For me, the article is a succinct and profound work, clearly showing a comprehensive vision in all fields of politics, foreign affairs, security-defence, the economy and culture as well as a process of distilling and drawing from practical experience, with an honest and scientific approach. What I appreciate is that the article also expresses the enthusiasm of a senior leader and points out the causes and limitations of the capitalist form with a logical and understandable argument. Thereby, it explained why Vietnam has chosen the path towards socialism. In addition, the article also conveyed many messages and concerns and suggested many aspects of research on the development path in Vietnam while frankly pointing out limitations and shortcomings that need to be overcome. Accordingly, the article has helped people from all walks of life understand and have a full, correct and deeper awareness so that they can remain steadfast on the path towards socialism.
Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s article covers a huge, open and contemporary issue, which is "socialism". In my article, I would like to just give some my feelings about the socialism in Vietnam through his article, with my personal perspective from the point of view of a political researcher who has been always interested in Vietnam. It can be said that Vietnam’s choice of the path towards socialism had a very long starting point and has achieved great things, based on the main factors as follows:
Firstly, the path towards socialism in Vietnam was chosen based on people-centred thinking combined with the theory of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thought. It was not a coincidence but a persistent process of drawing experience from practice along with scientific theories that have been summed up by generations of Vietnamese leaders. Regardless of the circumstances or conditions, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has always followed the goals of the people. All decisions have been made for the Vietnamese people and their benefit. That thinking was distilled into the phrase “power belongs to the people, is by people and for people”.
The key point is that the socialist path leads always towards progressive and humane values, meeting the aspirations of the Vietnamese people based on the common interests of the whole society, in harmony with the legitimate interests of all. Obviously, that is the wish of not only the Vietnamese people but also all of humanity and has been flexibly implemented in accordance with the law and actual conditions of Vietnam. Vietnam went through an arduous struggle with many losses and sacrifices to regain national independence, suffered many losses and had a low starting point; therefore, the path towards socialism has been difficult and complicated. In terms of the practice of many aspects over the past 35 years of Doi Moi (Renewal) cause since 1986, with great achievements in many fields, the Vietnamese people now have better conditions and living standards than in previous periods. This shows that the path towards socialism has not only brought about positive economic effects but also solved social problems better than other countries with the same level of economic development.
Secondly, as I mentioned above, the construction and development of the socialist path in Vietnam has been applied flexibly along with the process of continuous innovation in thinking, awareness and acumen in accordance with the laws of motion. Right from the early years of the revolutionary struggle, the CPV determined that “the advancement towards socialism is an objective requirement and an inevitable path of the Vietnamese revolution” and this has been highlighted throughout the Political Platforms of the CPV. That orientation is not simply a “slogan” but is associated with theoretical research, practical summaries and efforts to study, creativity and drawing experience to gradually improve. From the objective perception of the law of development and overcoming internal shortcomings, Vietnam has chosen an appropriate direction.
I think that the goals set by Vietnam such as the acceleration of national industrialisation and modernisation in association with the development of a knowledge-based economy and a socialist-oriented market economy, the building of an advanced culture imbued with a sense of national identity, policies on defence and security, and a foreign policy of internationalist independence and self-reliance are suitable and comprehensive choices for the current context of Vietnam on the basis of distilling its experiences and inheriting the progressive values and civilised achievements of mankind.
Thirdly, the question is whether the successful or failed development orientation in a country needs to be shown by specific indicators and numbers as well as sustainable stability in all social aspects and people’s improve living standards. Of course, the development process in each country has its own characteristics and obstacles. Whether the process is fast or slow, sustainable or fragile depends on many factors and that country’s political system. I understand thoroughly the view that “the richer the people, the stronger the people”. It expresses the internal strength of a country and objectively shows that Vietnam has achieved remarkable things following 35 years of Doi Moi.
From a poor nation, Vietnam has gradually developed with average economic growth at around 7% per year. The country’s GDP reached US$342.7 billion in 2020 and per capita income was US$3,512 in 2020. Vietnam has become a net rice exporter and the fourth largest economy in ASEAN. The country attracted nearly US$395 billion of foreign investment in late 2020. Indicators of economic restructuring, poverty reduction, rural development policy, and the education, health, culture, society and human development index are concrete examples for a clear and positive change and the comprehensive development in Vietnam compared to previous periods.
Fourthly, those implementing the socialist path in Vietnam play an important role. Since the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the country has affirmed the point of view that “The Party leads, The State manages, The People master”. I understand this means that people master the country, the country’s strength is the whole people’s strength, the country’s interests are the people’s interests. The mission of the Vietnamese Party and State is to protect and serve the interests of the people. Cadres and Party members were born from and nurtured by the people and they were endowed with working conditions to serve the people. Despite the limitations and challenges in harmonising the nation’s interests with the legitimate interests of each individual, the actual results achieved over recent years in Vietnam show that the path towards socialism that has been building and moving forward towards true values for the humans and people.
Fifthly, Vietnam has gained great achievements thanks to not only the wise leadership of the CPV, the consensus of the whole people, internal factors and many other factors but also the significant contributions made by Vietnam’s foreign affairs diplomacy and the support of the international community. Vietnam has gradually integrated deeply and comprehensively with the region and the world, becoming a member of many regional and international organisations such as the United Nations (1977), ASEAN (1995), and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 term. The country has also actively participated in multilateral mechanisms, and signed many important treaties and agreements with other countries. Vietnam's strong and effective foreign affairs activities and the expansion of comprehensive, mutually beneficial cooperation with many countries have greatly contributed to the nation’s developmental achievements today.
Sixthly, after 35 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has always persevered with and implemented successfully an open foreign policy as well as making friends with all countries and becoming a responsible cooperation partner in the international arena. Cambodia and Vietnam are two close neighbours with a long-standing friendship and mutual support in times of difficulty. That is the basic foundation for long-term cooperation between the two nations. Today, the cooperation is developing strongly under the motto of “sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and sustainable, long-term, comprehensive cooperation”, achieving many brilliant feats in various fields. Many cooperation mechanisms between ministries, branches and localities of the two countries have been formed and brought into full play, creating the motivation and orientation for the promotion of comprehensive cooperation. The two sides signed and ratified the “Supplementary Treaty to the 1985 Treaty on the Delimitation of National Boundaries and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty”, towards gradually realising a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual development.
Despite economic difficulties, Vietnam has always given high priority to the special relationship with Cambodia both in material and spiritual terms, supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development. Along with the cooperation between central ministries and agencies from the two countries, relations between localities and organisations from both sides have become increasingly closer, especially between provinces sharing the same border lines, contributing to deepening the relationship between the two nations. Despite being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, export turnover between the two nations remained at over US$5 billion in the first six months of this year, equal to the turnover of the whole of last year.
In addition to the spirit of self-reliance, important factors for the great achievements in all aspects of the two countries were the crystallisation of the solidarity and the sacred affection of the two peoples as well as the correct perception of our common destiny in the past, present and future. The two nations’ histories have proved that in spite of many difficulties, Cambodia and Vietnam have been always side by side in any situation.
It can be affirmed that Vietnam has been always steadfast on the path towards socialism and has been continuing to achieve many successes that have brought great benefits to not only theVietnamese people but also Cambodia and the region, significantly contributing to the success and prosperity of ASEAN. I’m really impressed with the important achievements that Vietnam has gained and sincerely wish the Vietnamese people continue to attain new achievements under the leadership of the Party, State and Government, soon realising the aspiration and goal of building a country with the motto “rich people, strong nation, democracy, justice and civilisation”.
