Vietnam’s Most Precious Resource

Speaking at the meeting of delegates attending the 7th International Vietnam Studies Conference in October 2025, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam is not large in area or population compared to many powers, but it has a continuous history of thousands of years in forming, building, protecting, and developing its nation. This history has created a very unique identity.

According to the General Secretary, this identity includes the resilience to never surrender to any invasion, storm, or tempest; the wisdom to adapt, learn, and combine traditional strengths with new knowledge; the will that “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”; and the aspiration to build a just, compassionate, and people-centered society.

Through various dynasties of nation-building and defense, the Vietnamese people have formed an ancient civilization, rooted in the people’s hearts, based on humanity and righteousness, and driven by the spirit of independence and self-reliance. Vietnamese culture is always dynamic, innovative, and open to absorbing external essences while firmly preserving its core values. “It is this vitality that has helped our nation overcome wars, rise from ruins, and enter a new era of development with increasing confidence,” the General Secretary stated.

The General Secretary highlighted critical questions for Vietnam today: How to develop the country rapidly while maintaining political and social stability; how to achieve economic growth without compromising social equity; how to modernize the nation without harming the ecological environment and cultural values; and how to “integrate without dissolving” into global politics, the international economy, and human civilization, so that Vietnam stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s powers.

“For us, rapid and sustainable development is a unified entity. Growth is meaningful only if every citizen enjoys its benefits in a fair, safe, and humane manner; the real quality of life improves; no one is left behind; and the future of the next generation is not sacrificed for the immediate interests of today,” the General Secretary emphasized.

Therefore, Vietnam’s development strategy is based on three interconnected pillars. The first is the development of institutions, policies, and national governance toward strategic autonomy, modernity, transparency, integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

The second pillar focuses on comprehensive human development, including education, healthcare, science and technology, innovation, and culture. These are considered fundamental elements and direct resources for development.

“Vietnam’s most valuable resource is not minerals or its strategic location, but its 106 million people—diligent, creative, patriotic, community-oriented, eager to learn, and resilient in adversity,” the General Secretary remarked.

Vietnam is entering a new phase of development with fresh thinking, yet its core values remain unchanged. National independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are sacred and inviolable. The happiness of the people is measured by housing, education, healthcare, a clean environment, opportunities for a better life, and the belief that future generations will live better than today. Vietnam’s strength lies in the great national unity. Thus, the General Secretary called on the Vietnam Studies community to accompany the nation, not only with emotion but also with scientific knowledge, policy analysis, and practical recommendations for implementation.