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Shaping Vietnam’s Future: Secretary General Invites Scientists to Envision the Nation’s Identity

Secretary-General Tô Lâm emphasized that scientists should not only explore "Who Vietnam was in the past," but also actively contribute to answering the question, "Who Vietnam will be in the future."

Administrator

27 October, 2025

General Secretary To Lam met with delegates attending the 7th International Vietnam Studies Conference this morning.

During the meeting, the General Secretary noted that the large presence of Vietnamese studies scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds sends a significant message: Vietnam is not merely a subject of study but has become an intellectual partner for Vietnamese studies experts.

General Secretary To Lam with the delegates. Photo: TTXVN

The General Secretary highlighted two historical milestones: the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930, a pivotal moment for the nation, and the Renovation (Doi Moi) process, which propelled Vietnam from a war-torn, impoverished country to a dynamic, deeply integrated economy actively participating in regional and global value chains.

Future Generations’ Well-being Won’t Be Compromised for Short-Term Gains

Commenting on the conference theme, “Vietnam: Sustainable Development in the New Era,” the General Secretary emphasized that it raises a critical question for the nation’s survival.

How can Vietnam develop rapidly while maintaining political and social stability? How can it achieve economic growth without sacrificing social equity? How can it modernize without harming its ecological environment and cultural values? How can it integrate into the global political, economic, and cultural landscape without losing its identity, ensuring that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stands alongside other global powers?

General Secretary To Lam: Growth is meaningful only when every citizen benefits fairly, safely, and humanely… Photo: TTXVN

“For us, rapid and sustainable development are inseparable. Growth is meaningful only when every citizen benefits fairly, safely, and humanely; when their quality of life genuinely improves; when no one is left behind; and when future generations’ well-being isn’t compromised for today’s short-term gains. Therefore, we advocate development based on three interconnected pillars,” the General Secretary affirmed.

First, developing institutions, policies, and national governance toward strategic autonomy, modernity, transparency, integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Building a socialist rule of law state by the people, for the people, that fosters development, ensures social equity, and resolutely fights corruption, negativity, and vested interests. This is the political focus.

Second, comprehensively developing Vietnamese people through education, healthcare, science and technology, innovation, and culture. These are considered fundamental elements and direct resources for development.

The General Secretary emphasized that Vietnam’s most valuable resource is not its minerals or strategic location but its 106 million people—diligent, creative, patriotic, community-minded, eager to learn, and resilient in adversity. Without unleashing and maximizing the intellectual, moral, and social responsibility of every Vietnamese, achieving our goals will be challenging.

Third, developing a green, circular, knowledge-based, and digital economy, linked with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Vietnam is acutely aware of its responsibilities amid climate change, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.

The General Secretary clarified that sustainable development isn’t just about economics and the environment. It’s also about culture, society, humanity, and ethics. A sustainably developed society values truth, justice, compassion, and respect for the elderly, children, women, and the vulnerable. It’s a society where people’s trust in the Party, State, and future remains steadfast.

Visit Vietnam More, Stay Longer

The General Secretary praised the conference for discussing not only Vietnam’s history, culture, and arts but also structurally and strategically significant topics like institutions, science and technology, innovation, healthcare, education, economics, and social policies.

Scholars are not just studying “Who was Vietnam in the past?” but also helping answer “Who will Vietnam be in the future?” According to the General Secretary, this contributes both academically and strategically.

General Secretary To Lam with the delegates. Photo: TTXVN

The General Secretary shared that Vietnam is entering a new development phase with new thinking but unchanged core values.

First, national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are sacred and inviolable. No development justifies compromising the independence our ancestors sacrificed for.

Second, people’s happiness is measured by housing, education, healthcare, a clean environment, opportunities for better family life, and the belief that future generations will live better. A ruling party is worthy only if its policies improve people’s lives.

Third, Vietnam’s strength lies in national unity. History proves that when united, Vietnam is unstoppable.

In formulating development policies, the Party and State always welcome independent, serious, and constructive scientific feedback. Valuable, practical, and forward-looking research is a precious resource for our national development strategy.

The General Secretary urged Vietnamese studies scholars to engage not just emotionally but intellectually, offering evidence-based policy analysis and actionable recommendations.

He also encouraged international researchers, students, and scientists to visit Vietnam more often, stay longer, work equally with Vietnamese colleagues, and listen to grassroots voices, not just rely on aggregated data.

At the meeting, scholars representing nearly 1,300 conference delegates appreciated General Secretary To Lam and the Party and State’s leadership for their support of the global Vietnamese studies network and the conference.

Scholars were impressed by Vietnam’s dynamic development and the Party’s visionary leadership, endorsing the policies being vigorously implemented…

Many offered specific recommendations to realize the Party’s resolutions, expressing confidence that with the Party and State’s determination, and the people’s unity, Vietnam will achieve its comprehensive development goals.

Tran Thuong

– 18:31 26/10/2025