Pornpen Hantrakool, a former expert in Vietnamese history from Thailand’s Fine Arts University, said she visited Vietnam for the first time in 1989, when the country was still very poor. Since then, Pornpen has returned to Vietnam a few more times to do research and has seen so many changes in the country.

“New airports have replaced the old ones. Many high-rise buildings are taking shape. Trade services are more bustling and people more dynamic than before,” said Pornpen. “A live innovation atmosphere prevails over the whole country. Vietnam’s fast economic growth is vividly shown in statistics.”

Pornpen remarked that the 11^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam laid down correct policies for boosting the national economy and turning Vietnam into an industrialized country. However, Pornpen proposed that Vietnam develop culture and arts in parallel with economy.

Pornpen said she greatly admires late President Ho Chi Minh and intends to write a book about him.

“President Ho Chi Minh embodies the Vietnamese intelligence. He is a culturologist,” said Pornpen. “He knew how to utilize history, culture and people in the most useful way. He lives forever in the hearts of not only Vietnamese people but also of mankind. The world praises and highly values him, who always matched his words with his acts. Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts on socialism are imbued with internationalism; they are not reserved for a single country. Ho Chi Minh is an internationalist.”

Another scholar, Vittaya Supatanakul, remarked that the Vietnamese economy has grown fast and steadily in the past decade. The Vietnamese government’s incentives have made Vietnam an attracting destination for investors, including Thailand, he said.

Vittaya, who has 11 years’ experience in researching Vietnam’s economics, trade and investment, said many Thai companies decided to invest in Vietnam and have become strong brands in the country. With 245 investment projects, Thailand is now among the top ten investors in Vietnam.

Dr Artha Nanthachuka, a lecturer of Southeast Asian history from Maha Sarakham University, was impressed by the Vietnamese government’s policy on education and culture.

“The Vietnamese government has clear-cut policies on education and culture. Vietnamese students secured high prizes at international physics and mathematics Olympics, which draws the attention of not only Thai people but also the world,” he said.

Dr Artha studied Vietnamese history at Hanoi College of Social Sciences and Humanities from 1995-1999. He authored the documentary Vietnam’s Soul on President Ho Chi Minh which was broadcast on Vietnam’s national TV channels VTV1 and VTV4 and on Lao national television to mark the 100^th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh going abroad to seek ways of national salvation.

VOV Bangkok