In addition to these achievements, Vietnam is implementing a comprehensive integration process with almost all countries around the world.

The past 20 years was a glorious period in which we have succeeded in elevating the image of Vietnam regionally and internationally. This fact testifies to the correct renewal process and open-door integration policy of the Party and State, which should be continued in the new period.

The renewal process and the open-door policy are two strategic tasks aimed at realising the common goal of national development. They have a close relationship, promote each other and create a driving force for Vietnam to move forward.

Renewal is process of casting and removing obstacles, re-organising society, emancipating forces, and effectively mobilising and utilising all resources to create internal strength.

The open-door policy is a process of selecting and observing the quintessence of humankind, making anything possible, developing existing strengths and welcoming new sources from the outside.        

However, the larger the stature of the renewal process and the open-door policy is, the more complicated the issues we face. Renewal requires a high sense of consciousness and constant creativity. Without either elements, the process will come to a standstill or even lag behind.

The open-door and integration process also needs will and perseverance because it is a long path on which both outlooks interact, rely on and support each other. With an objective and scientific political stance, the Communist Party of Vietnam has pointed out that on the path to development, we encounter numerous difficulties and challenges mingled with each other, which we cannot underestimate. They include Vietnam’s low economic development level compared to many regional and global countries, the negative impacts of the market economy and social evils, complications of corruption and bureaucracy, and the “peaceful evolution” schemes of hostile forces.

But the path to development also presents new opportunities for Vietnam. The new space of the world today, to some extent, is considered the space of peace. Although basic differences in the world still exist and develop, sometimes in a more complicated manner, members of the global community are demonstrating similarities. The reflecting interests of all major parts of the world community, together with common views on resolving global issues such as environmental protection, reductions in populations, and prevention and control of serious illnesses, have become active and favourable factors for the trend of co-operation and dialogue.     

In addition, internationalisation and globalisation have affected various areas of life, particularly the economy. Never before has economic development in a certain part of the world directly affected the rest to such an extent as at present. International co-operation and labour divisions have become the themes of the era, which creates great chances for all countries to seek possibilities to participate in this trend. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the East Asia-Pacific zone, is developing dynamically and is expected to develop more rapidly in the coming years. Relations between Vietnam and all countries inside and outside the region have seen new developments, facilitating our renewal and development process.

In addition to above-mentioned opportunities, Vietnam itself has created “a new position”, “a new force” and “a new acceleration”. The new position and force result from the tremendous achievements of the renewal process, as well as the country’s expansion and integration into the world, facilitating its modernisation process. The three factors have been more consolidated under the clear-sighted and correct leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. This is attributed to the industriousness, wisdom and patriotism of the Vietnamese people, who have firm revolutionary will and trust in the Party. It is also attributed to the country’s potential in terms of geological and economic conditions, particularly the plentiful labour force, which has a comparatively high education level. They are basic elements constituting important resources of the country.

Grasping the situation, the Party has identified the major goal and task to be continuing to implement the two strategic tasks of building socialism and defending the nation; accelerate the industrialisation and modernisation process to develop Vietnam into an industrial nation by 2020 equipped with modern technological infrastructure, a proper economic mechanisms, an advanced production relationship in line with the development level of the production force, while improving the people’s physical and spiritual lives and maintaining national defence and security, for the ultimate goal of a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

Realising this task and goal will be Vietnam’s new goal in the transitional period to socialism. This is really a drastic transitional period that will place Vietnam on par with other countries in the world. Therefore, national development orientations in several major areas are identified as follows:

First, the country must seek effective development models. A correct and effective development model must stem from internal resources, while making use of external factors.

Second, Vietnam must continue to accelerate the industrialisation and modernisation process together with closely linking the development of the knowledge-based economy and the international economic integration process. This is considered a leading task in the coming time. Once this process is accelerated, economic growth will be boosted and people’s physical and material lives improved. Industrialisation and modernisation, in close combination with the knowledge-based economy, is considered an effective measure to help Vietnam move forward and overcome the risk of lagging behind other regional countries, while maintaining socio-political and economic stability and ensuring independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening.

Third, Vietnam must continue to develop the multi-sectoral economic policy, renew economic management mechanisms, and build a consistent market mechanism under State management and in line with a socialist orientation. Reality has shown that commodity production is not the sole domain of capitalism and is not contrary to socialism, but instead the common development achievement of humankind. It apparently exists as a natural rule and is a necessary condition for the process of forming the socialist-oriented market economy model.  

Fourth, we must take care of social and cultural affairs. Our Party has identified culture as the spiritual foundation of society – a driving force to boost socio-economic development and the goal of socialism. The key task of culture and literature is to help Vietnamese society develop comprehensively in terms of politics, ideology, morality, soul, feeling, and lifestyle, with a good personality and firm stance. All cultural activities aim to build and develop an advanced culture imbued with national identity, while observing the quintessence of humankind. While implementing the open-door policy, we follow the motto: integration but not dissolution and protection against the influence of alien and harmful cultures.

Fifth, socialist democracy must be promoted and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam be built of the people, by the people and for the people. Building socialist democracy is the target and the driving force to develop society and demonstrate the flesh-and-blood relationship between the Party, State and people. In that democratic society, cadres, Party members and workers are really the civil servants of the people. We advocate building the socialist State governed by law and of the people, by the people and for the people, with the alliance of the working class, peasantry and intelligentsia serving as the firm foundation under the leadership of the Communist Party. The State’s power is consistent, alongside divisions and co-ordination among State agencies in carying out legislative, executive and judiciary rights.

Sixth, Vietnam must build the Party in a way so that it meets the requirements of the new situation. In Vietnam, only the Communist Party of Vietnam is the unique political party able to lead the Vietnamese people to successfully build socialism and defend the motherland. This party, which was founded and fostered by late President Ho Chi Minh, is the vanguard force of the working class and the nation, and the loyal agent working for the interests of the working class, people and the nation. It is equipped with Marxist-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought and the fine traditions of the nation. It gathers millions of outstanding Vietnamese nationals and is close to the people.

To take on the heavy task in the new situation, our Party should continue to renew, rectify and increase its leadership capacity and combat strength, and overcome shortcomings and negative phenomena to deserve its position and role entrusted to it by the nation and people.

The current special national and global circumstances not only bring about promising prospects for the country’s Renewal process, but also present heavy tasks for the upcoming 10^th National Party Congress. Advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and risks mingle together and all will affect national development. The most important thing here is that we should wisely seize opportunities, actively participate in international co-operation and labour division, make use of advantages and seek comparative advantages to advance and develop the country faster and firmer, while making use of our existing position and strengths to create new advances and strengths. In addition, we should be conscious of overcoming risks, including new risks, to ensure our development process is on the correct and stable path.    

With the past achievements and the chosen path, we are confident that Vietnam will gather its strength and intellect to march on together with the world to deliberately realise the goal of building a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.  

VOV director general Vu Van Hien