Strategic autonomy for a strong Vietnam - Final article: The foundation for development aspirations

Entering the preparation phase of the 14th National Party Congress, the issue of "strategic autonomy" is not only raised as a foreign policy orientation, but also placed in the national development vision. In the context of a complex world movement and increasingly fierce geopolitical competition, how Vietnam can achieve strategic autonomy has become a question of the times - a question of the mettle, vision and capacity to act of a nation that is rising strongly.

A special performance in the chapter "Glorious Journeys" at the art program "Vietnam's Aspiration for Power". Photo: Thu Huong/VNA

From vision to action

If "independence and autonomy" were once the guiding principles throughout the process of nation building and defense, then "strategic autonomy" today is a higher development of that thinking, reflecting Vietnam's ability to proactively position itself in a volatile world. Not only stopping at protecting sovereignty or maintaining foreign balance, "strategic autonomy" is also the ability to design its own development path, not depending on any model or pressure from the outside, and at the same time knowing how to take advantage of international impulses to serve national interests.

In his concluding speech at the 9th Central Conference of the 13th tenure (May 2025), General Secretary To Lam affirmed: "We must build strategic autonomy, that is, the nation's capacity to choose a development path, not be passive, not dependent, and have enough courage to both cooperate and fight to protect national interests."

Thus, "strategic autonomy" is not only a political slogan, but has become a criterion for evaluating the Party's governing capacity and policy-making in the era of deep integration.

To achieve strategic autonomy in the new context, experts believe that Vietnam needs to converge three groups of fundamental conditions: Economic autonomy - institutional autonomy - intellectual and technological autonomy. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, autonomy means independence, autonomy in economics, politics, policies, regimes, institutions, and steadfast autonomy in culture, national defense, security and foreign affairs. Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Trung Y said that the draft document emphasizes the five words "self" as "self-reliance, self-control, self-confidence, self-strengthening and pride". Those five words are a huge resource for the country to enter a new era. This viewpoint is increasingly correct and profound in domestic and international practice.

First of all, economic autonomy. This is the root of all other forms of autonomy. In the context of the global supply chain being reshaped, Vietnam's deep participation in the regional production network is both an opportunity and a challenge. Building an independent, autonomous economy associated with deep integration, innovation and green transformation is identified as the focus of the 2026-2035 Socio-Economic Development Strategy that our Party is building in the Draft Documents of the 14th National Congress. Only when Vietnam masters its endogenous resources, technology, and domestic market can it confidently respond to external fluctuations.

Second, institutional autonomy and national governance. Strategic autonomy requires a transparent, effective, dynamic and highly adaptable governance. The "institutional autonomy" mindset is reflected in the Party and State's adherence to socialist principles, but at the same time strongly reforming economic and legal institutions to conform to international practices. This helps Vietnam "maintain its identity and participate in the global game" - autonomously, without being dissolved.

Third, autonomy in thinking and technology. In the digital age, the ability to master knowledge, data and technology is the "strategic weapon" of the nation. Strategic autonomy cannot be separated from the strategy of digital transformation, development of artificial intelligence, semiconductor industry, and national cybersecurity. This is the field that clearly demonstrates the spirit of autonomy in thinking - knowing how to self-study, self-create, not depending on models imposed from the outside.

However, Vietnam's strategic autonomy process is also facing many challenges such as geopolitical competition, an uncertain world, an economy that mainly relies on small and micro enterprises, Vietnamese enterprises mainly focus on the service sector, etc. According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Lich, Diplomatic Academy: To overcome these difficulties, we need to continue to clarify theoretical issues on independence and strategic autonomy in new conditions and enhance national strength, especially in the economy. Along with that, we need to continue to adhere to the policy of independence, autonomy, multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations as well as combining internal strength and maximizing external strength. Finally, we need to proactively participate in important world issues.

Holding high the banner of national independence and socialism, building a strong enough socio-economic force, implementing reasonable policies and plans, we will certainly ensure strategic autonomy in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the new context, and will certainly lead our country to successfully achieve the goal: a rich people, a strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization, and steady progress towards socialism.

Platform enters new era

In a broader sense, the world is moving into a new era - an era of comprehensive competition between power centers, where technology, resources and geopolitical influence are intricately intertwined. In this context, "strategic autonomy" is no longer an option, but a vital condition for a country with aspirations for independent development. A country lacking strategic autonomy will be passive in the face of global fluctuations; on the contrary, a country with the capacity for strategic autonomy will always proactively open up new development opportunities.

Strategic autonomy is not only about protecting sovereignty, but also about mastering the nation's destiny; not only about maintaining security, but also about creating a future of development. That is the political declaration of the new era - where Vietnam determines its position not by size, but by the stature of thinking, endogenous strength and self-confidence.

The inclusion of this concept in the Draft Documents of the 14th National Congress reflects the remarkable maturity in the Party's leadership thinking, from "independence and autonomy" in the period of renovation to "strategic autonomy" in the period of deep integration and complex global competition. When geopolitical earthquakes shake the world; Superpowers compete for influence; Tariff wars escalate... The old order is cracking. The rules of the game change every day! And this is also the time for Vietnamese courage and intelligence to shine!

“Strategic autonomy” is a strong affirmation of the development path that Vietnam has chosen: independent but not isolated; self-reliant but not closed; integrated but not dependent. This is the key for Vietnam to enter a new stage of development - a stage where national strength is not only measured by economic scale, but also by the ability to master destiny and the future.

In the future, when the world is still uncertain, strategic autonomy will be the solid foundation for Vietnam to not only maintain sovereignty, stability, and development, but also affirm its position as an influential, vocal, and courageous nation in the international arena. Strategic autonomy is the path, the vision, and the courage of Vietnam in the new era.

To realize that vision, the most important thing is to transform the spirit of "strategic autonomy" from vision into practical capacity - in policy making, in organizational structure, in the actions of each agency, locality, enterprise and citizen. Every economic decision, every international agreement, every technological step must bear the mark of "autonomy in choice - self-reliance in implementation - confidence in integration".

Strategic autonomy is not a slogan, but an urgent requirement, a command of the times. It requires every cadre, party member, enterprise and citizen to foster the spirit of self-reliance, the desire to rise up, and responsibility to the Fatherland.

"Strategic autonomy" today is not only a foreign policy motto, but also a national development philosophy. It is Vietnam's response to global challenges, the vision of a nation that has stood firm amid historical storms and is now confidently entering a new era. From vision to action, from theory to practice, the Party and State are steadfastly building strategic autonomy - the foundation of an independent, self-reliant, prosperous and steadfast Vietnam in a turbulent world.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tu-chu-chien-luoc-cho-mot-viet-nam-hung-cuong-bai-cuoi-nen-tang-cho-khat-vong-phat-trien-20251102195938385.htm