On the threshold of a new era

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski has written an article sharing his insights on the development paths of Australia and Vietnam, highlighting Australia's strong support for the directions Vietnam is pursuing. We are pleased to present the main content of the article to our readers.

The Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, speaks at the event. (Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam).

Eras of policy and structural reforms are rare in the history of nations. But when they do occur, they are often followed by periods of rapid economic growth. This was the experience of Australia after its reforms in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In Vietnam, the late 1980s were a period of great change, paving the way for decades of success. An elderly Vietnamese engineer explained to me this process of innovation, which acted like a giant spring, propelling the Vietnamese economy and society for many years. He also said, "a new spring is needed to propel the country forward." During my time in Vietnam, I understood the importance of balance and harmony. This means balancing innovation and creativity with stability and continuity. I understand that, historically, Vietnam has been characterized by stability, interspersed with periods of significant change. I feel that we are standing at the threshold of a new era of innovation. I sense a broad consensus among the people that a new phase is necessary. On December 1st, General Secretary To Lam delivered a speech at a special conference. There are many things worth studying in his speech. Several aspects immediately caught my attention. First, the speech focused heavily on action. Instead of the usual calls for increased foreign investment, infrastructure, and energy transition, the focus was on creating the necessary conditions to implement all of these. Finally, the language in the speech was very direct. The central focus of General Secretary To Lam's speech was on the political system's machinery and how to improve its efficiency. In this regard, the Vietnam-Australia Centre (VAC) has contributed to facilitating numerous exchanges and research on reforms. For me, the most striking part of the speech was the commitment to double-digit economic growth. A new era for Vietnam is emerging at a crucial time. The global situation is becoming more challenging. The world is witnessing a period of risk mitigation, supply chain disruptions, and potentially higher tariffs. This is not ideal for trade-oriented countries like Vietnam and Australia. But Vietnam still has advantages. There is significant interest in Vietnam as global capital flows seek safe havens. The current geostrategic situation is complex. Conflicts, tensions, and the trend of alliances are spreading throughout the world. Vietnam's diplomacy is admired globally. In the face of increasing geopolitical competition, I hope that Vietnam will continue to strengthen its contributions to the world. Vietnam and Australia are partners with differences. But over 50 years of cooperation have created a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Currently, many Australian companies are ready to invest in Vietnam in areas such as offshore wind power, processing of rare earth and critical minerals, digital transformation, agricultural technology, and higher education. I hope Australian projects will progress in all these areas. Vietnam is an important country for Australia, not just in terms of trade. History shows us that a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam is essential for the stability and prosperity of the region. Although the challenges Vietnam is facing may be immense, they are nothing compared to the challenges it has faced and overcome in the past. The world will be surprised by Vietnam's rapid acceleration on its path towards a new future. Source: https://nhandan.vn/truoc-nguong-cua-cua-ky-nguyen-moi-post848554.html