The Journey to Prosperity and Happiness

Since the autumn of 1945, Vietnam has gradually built a society oriented towards prosperity, justice, and happiness for all its people.

Putting the people at the center, protecting and promoting fundamental rights, and linking growth with social progress and equity are also development perspectives of Vietnam that are highly appreciated by international public opinion. (Photo: Le Dong/VNA)

If independence is the beginning of a nation's existence, then happiness is the goal and driving force behind every step taken by the Vietnamese people.

Since the autumn of 1945, Vietnam has gradually built a society oriented towards prosperity, justice, and happiness for all its people.

That journey has been written with achievements in development, sustainable social welfare policies, and relentless efforts to improve the quality of life and ensure human rights for the people.

Over the past 80 years, it is impossible not to mention the nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation) – a period that brought about impressive achievements in both economic and social fields, creating a solid foundation for comprehensive development later on, which former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called a "typical success story of development."

However, such development only has full meaning when it is linked to social progress and justice, with the people at its center, and aimed at genuine happiness for the people.

That is also why the motto "the people know, the people discuss, the people do, the people inspect, the people supervise, and the people benefit" has been identified by the Party as a guiding principle in policy planning and implementation, with the highest goal: the people truly being masters, enjoying a prosperous and happy life.

This approach has not only received public support but has also been recognized and highly appreciated by the international community.

Assessing Vietnam's journey in bringing prosperity and happiness to the Vietnamese people, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane highlighted Vietnam's strong transformation from a poor country, heavily affected by decades of war, into a progressive, modern nation with political stability, social security and order, sustainable economic development, and continuously improving people's lives.

Impressive indicators such as Vietnam currently being the world's 33rd largest economy and among the fastest-growing nations; with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeding US$476 billion in 2024, and per capita income rising sharply to approximately US$4,700 (from US$498/year/person in 2000), are evidence of sustainable development and improved living standards for its people.

This is also the opinion of Professor Carl Thayer at the Australian Defence College, University of New South Wales.

He emphasized that the Doi Moi (Renovation) policy is a strategic step that has helped Vietnam significantly reduce poverty and unemployment rates, expand social insurance, improve the healthcare system, and enhance gender equality – important advancements for a developing country.

Professor Carl Thayer answers questions from a VNA reporter in Australia. (Photo: Thanh Tu/VNA)

Meanwhile, Professor Michael Brie (Germany) expressed his admiration for Vietnam's transformation from one of the poorest countries to a middle-income economy with dynamic production, a rapidly growing digital economy, and an increasingly strong middle class. The ability to effectively respond to financial crises, epidemics, and climate change demonstrates the government's governance capacity and the unity of the people.

According to Congressman Pedro Vázquez, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee of Mexico, Vietnam has transformed from a centrally planned economy into a dynamic, deeply integrated market economy, becoming a major exporter of electronics, textiles, and agricultural products, and an attractive destination for international investment. At the same time, Vietnam is also recognized as a bright spot in responding to climate change, developing renewable energy, and conserving biodiversity.

Innovation not only lays the foundation for Vietnam to ensure prosperity and happiness for its people, aiming to become a developed, high-income country by the middle of the 21st century, but also affirms its capacity to fulfill international commitments.

Dr. Kambiz Ghawami, Chair of the German Committee of the World University Service (WUS), stated that Vietnam has every right to be proud of its achievements, such as achieving 5 out of 8 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG 2015), particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, universal education, healthcare, and women's empowerment; and is also a pioneering and active country in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030).

According to Dr. Ghawami, although the goal of completing all 17 SDGs by 2030 is very ambitious, Vietnam can absolutely achieve it by consistently putting its people at the center.

Putting the people at the center, protecting and promoting fundamental rights, and linking growth with social progress and equity are also development perspectives of Vietnam that are highly appreciated by international public opinion.

Dr. Nadia Radulovich (University of Salvador, Argentina) noted that this is a highlight of Vietnam's development model. This policy aims to ensure social security, eradicate poverty, and improve the quality of life, as clearly demonstrated in Resolution No. 27-NQ/TW (2022) of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

She emphasized that Vietnam will not wait for high economic development to implement social justice, nor will it sacrifice social progress to pursue pure growth.

Professor and Doctor Phan Kim Nga (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences) believes that thanks to its steadfast adherence to the principle of "development for the people," Vietnam has made significant progress in education, healthcare, employment, and social security that covers all citizens.

Professor-Doctor Phan Kim Nga. (Photo: Quang Hung/VNA)

Sharing this view, Lawyer Do Gia Thang, Secretary General of the Association of Vietnamese Businesspeople Abroad and the Association of Vietnamese Businesspeople in Australia, stated that economic achievements have had a positive ripple effect on society – reducing poverty, expanding social welfare, improving education and healthcare, and strengthening the law to protect human rights and equality.

He emphasized: "That is the most sustainable measure of development" that the Vietnamese Party and State have always persistently pursued.

Professor Nghiem Duc Long (University of Technology Sydney, President of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals and Experts in Australia - VASEA) also mentioned the policy of "leaving no one behind," considering it clear evidence of the entire political system's concern in ensuring social security and improving the lives of the people, especially vulnerable groups and rural areas.

Looking back at 80 years of construction and development, it is clear that all of Vietnam's policies, strategies, and initiatives have been directed towards the highest goal: bringing prosperity and happiness to the people.

According to Vázquez, Chairman of the Mexican House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, Vietnam's success is not only a story of the strength of belief and self-reliance, but also a story of the aspiration to rise up for the happiness of its people. That is why Vietnam is ranked among the countries with a high happiness index, despite having previously suffered from a long period of war and rising from poverty and backwardness.

Referring to Vietnam's development path, Professor and Doctor Phan Kim Nga affirmed that the achievements and experiences of 80 years of revolution and nation-building are a solid foundation for the Communist Party of Vietnam, under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, to open a new era for the nation's progress. This is an important guarantee for Vietnam to become a developed socialist country by the middle of the 21st century, realizing President Ho Chi Minh's aspiration for a Vietnamese nation "standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents."

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hanh-trinh-am-no-hanh-phuc-post1058602.vnp