General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets intellectuals in 2023 - Photo: Provided by Professor VU MINH GIANG
An open Vietnam
* As someone who follows and records socio -economic changes, among the achievements of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, what do you see as having the most positive influence?
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Hanoi National University
– Leading the Party for nearly three full terms, previously holding the roles of Chairman of the National Assembly and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, the legacy that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong left behind is enormous, diverse, and covers many areas of economics, society, culture, foreign affairs, etc.
The most impressive and greatest thing, in my opinion, is that Vietnam's position has been raised to an unprecedented level in the international arena. We have established comprehensive strategic partnerships with seven major countries, most notably the United States - which was an enemy just a few decades ago.
This is a very good result of the "bamboo diplomacy" school that the General Secretary has summarized, summarized, and led so that step by step all levels and sectors of Vietnam have been able to achieve it, convincing world diplomacy to the point that even US presidents have acted outside of regulations, practices, and precedents: President Obama received the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam as a state guest in the White House; President Biden visited Vietnam at the invitation of the Party General Secretary...
Such a small, gentle, and simple-looking person is actually an outstanding diplomat.
The philosophy of “a bamboo tree has a strong root, a sturdy trunk, and flexible branches” is based on the deep foundation of Vietnamese culture and on the confidence and understanding of the geopolitical advantages that Vietnam already has.
The motto “unchangeable – adaptable to all changes” from the time of President Ho Chi Minh has always been repeated by him, not only in the diplomatic sector: national and ethnic interests are unchangeable, but behavior must be flexible, with both advances and retreats, both firm and soft… Only then will we be able to be friends with everyone, maintain peace and stability.
The concept of Independence – Autonomy in this integration period, I observe, has also had a suitable flexible shift. Independence now is no longer “non-dependence” but maintaining balance on interdependence.
The world is big, small Vietnam will grow when having many friends, we will depend on them in one way or another, and also have advantages and strengths for them to depend on us. Promoting strengths, maintaining balance between those two forces is maintaining independence, not letting this faction or that alliance drag us into becoming enemies with the other side is maintaining autonomy.
Honor is the most sacred and noble thing.
General Secretary NGUYEN PHU TRONG
* Yes, and the mark of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in that achievement is very profound. Even in these days of his funeral, we are witnessing a very genuine and profound international friendship sharing with Vietnam…
– In the international conference on Vietnamese studies that we organized in 2016, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong attended. After talking about his expertise, foreign scholars expressed great admiration for his erudition as a scientist.
I think that is inevitable because the General Secretary is truly a person imbued with Vietnamese culture. In terms of science, he also has a very far-reaching strategic vision for Vietnam's future and has the determination of a leader when he affirms: by 2045, Vietnam will be among the developed countries.
Not only did he make bold statements, he truly devoted his efforts to leading the entire Party and people towards that goal. A series of resolutions on educational innovation, cultural enrichment, scientific and technological development, and intellectuals were issued to establish paths and avenues for development.
The tens of thousands of pages of works he left behind in all fields are also a huge legacy that we need to continue to research and promote.
A faith restored
* And there is one more very special legacy…
– Yes, after the period of opening up and renovation, the result was economic development, and the consequence was a materialistic lifestyle, moral degradation of officials, corruption at all levels, growing bigger and bigger, becoming more and more serious.
As a Party leader, the General Secretary is very aware of that reality and danger. He has directly led the anti-corruption campaign very resolutely and persistently: no forbidden zones, no exceptions...
That is exactly what happened, despite the extremely complicated and fierce struggle. The results are clear to all of us.
This is a great legacy, not only measured by how many major cases have been solved, how many corrupt officials have been exposed, how much illegal money has been recovered... but even greater is the people's trust that has been restored and built up.
He regained and rebuilt the people's trust in the Party and the regime not only through the "furnace campaign" but also through the example of his own life: a life of integrity and purity, a life of worshiping ideals and honor, a life of dedication to the interests of the nation and people until the last day...
Anyone who came into contact with or followed his work immediately realized that. That is why now that he has passed away, everyone is saddened and grieved.
* Do you have any thoughts or predictions about how these legacies will be continued in the future?
– Through my observations and the information I have, the recent actions have affirmed the determination of the General Secretary and the entire Party and people to declare war on corruption; the drastic, precise and effective actions of law enforcement agencies have led to many positive results.
Many worms have been caught - both big and king worms, the thick weeds and bushes have been cleared, the garden has been cleared and cleaned up a lot... The goal of making cadres "not dare to be corrupt, not want to be corrupt" has been partly achieved.
This is a great advantage for the successor to continue the goal of national development, a rich people, a strong country, a fair, democratic, and civilized society on a higher foundation, a brighter path, and a cleaner team.
Information is now very open, people have more ways and means to monitor their public servants, monitor the operation of the state apparatus; the law also has more mechanisms and tools to control power, control corruption. Believe me, the time when officials "do whatever they want" is over.
I am currently teaching some young cadres and feel very confident in their ideals of serving the people and the country.
* That belief is not only the professor's…
– I want to convey that belief to everyone, please wait and see, there will be very new and very good innovations. The General Secretary does not think and act alone, everything he does is the result of discussion – agreement, listening – understanding with the whole Party.
We mourn his passing, but his legacy is still there and will continue to be developed, his example is still there and will be preserved and reflected, his achievements are still there and will be multiplied and spread.
He contributed to restoring people's trust in the Party, and also reminded all Party members to realize the obvious: The Party's prestige lies in people's trust, the Party's strength lies in people's support.
I believe that all cadres who were once blinded by money and corrupted by power have now come to realize that and remembered what the General Secretary said: "Honor is the most sacred and noble thing."
General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong with ethnic people in Dur Kmal commune, Krong Ana district, Dak Lak province at the National Great Unity Day (November 2018) - Photo: VNA
Of course, no education can be just a talk, especially when faced with the attraction of material things and power. We need strict laws as barriers, and we also need policies to curb corruption and encourage integrity.
In ancient feudal times, honest officials would receive rewards from the king for their integrity, enough to enjoy their old age and bring honor to their family and homeland. We cannot call for honest officials and maintain their reputation in poverty.
There needs to be a policy for them to freely enjoy their integrity, “no need for corruption” is there.
And more deeply are the ways to educate truth - goodness - beauty, foster spiritual values, human values for the young generation, so that we will have many more cadres who bring culture into each of their jobs, like the cadre Nguyen Phu Trong in the past.
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang (Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Vietnam National University, Hanoi)
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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/di-san-cua-tong-bi-thu-nguyen-phu-trong-2024072423170883.htm
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