Vietnam shapes new position with comprehensive foreign policy

Vietnam has shifted its foreign policy strategy from proactive to comprehensive, raising its position in the international arena and promoting economic, defense and technological development.

The draft documents of the 14th National Congress reflect a major change in Vietnam's foreign policy from "proactive" and focusing on the economy to comprehensive foreign policy in areas such as defense, security and technology to "commensurate with the historical stature, culture and position of the country."

Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh of De Montfort University (UK) gave the above opinion in a recent interview with VNA reporters in the UK.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh, Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation, issued early this year, has many new points compared to Resolution 22-NQ/TW in 2013, marking a change in perception of Vietnam's position in the international arena.

This was clearly demonstrated with the signing ceremony of the Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi last month, when Vietnam transformed from a country participating in international conventions to a country that builds, contributes, and plays a leading role in international issues.

Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh said that the event marked a turning point for Vietnam with a new position and increasing role in the international arena, and at the same time showed the comprehensive development of the country, from economy to foreign affairs.

Discussing the role of the private economy as the most important driving force of the economy as stated in the draft documents of the 14th National Congress, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh affirmed the necessity of this sector for the country's economic development.

By 2025, strive to increase the country's total import-export turnover by 12% or more. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA)

He appreciated the resources, dynamism and efficiency of the private economy, and pointed out that utilizing private economic resources for national development will help reduce the investment burden on the state.

However, he also noted the shortcomings of the private economy and said that the development of this sector needs state regulation to ensure social stability and equity, sustainable growth and prosperity for all.

Regarding the target of an average GDP growth rate of 10% or more per year in the 2026-2030 period and Vietnam's efforts to become a high-income developed country by 2045 as set out in the draft documents of the 14th National Congress, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh said that this goal is achievable if Vietnam carries out extensive reforms.

According to him, to achieve the GDP growth target of 10%/year, the investment rate must reach 40-45% of GDP; the savings rate must reach over 40% of GDP; foreign direct investment (FDI) must reach 6-10% of GDP; exports must increase 15%/year and labor productivity must increase 7-9%/year.

Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh emphasized that these are high requirements, forcing Vietnam to implement drastic and specific solutions such as expanding credit for businesses and developing infrastructure in terms of electricity, roads, schools, stations and even digital infrastructure, which plays an increasingly important role in the context of rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI).

Overall, Vietnam needs to have a deep and thorough renovation and reform process, in line with the vision of “The era of national development” proposed by General Secretary To Lam. Vietnam needs to mobilize all domestic and foreign resources to invest in infrastructure.

Carrying out comprehensive and holistic reforms will not only help free up resources and create the basis for unified development solutions, but also help Vietnam overcome challenges while taking advantage of opportunities from profound changes in technology, climate and geopolitics globally.

Referring to the role of overseas Vietnamese in the overall development of the country, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh said that according to statistics, there are currently about 6 million overseas Vietnamese living, studying and working abroad. This is a great resource in terms of work experience in developed environments, in terms of human resources quality as well as capital accumulated over many years.

Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh believes that many overseas Vietnamese, like him, will want to receive the trust of the Party and State so that they can contribute to the country.

This trust needs to be concretized through open mechanisms to help overseas Vietnamese, with different living and working conditions, contribute in many different forms.

To attract talented people to work in the country, in addition to financial incentives, the State needs to apply flexible policies suitable to the specific conditions of each individual such as working time, working conditions, housing, access to health services, education, thereby helping scientists to contribute without being too affected in life.

Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh said that it is necessary to replicate the model of encouraging prestigious scientists to return to the country to work to build universities and research institutes of international standards, such as the case of Professor Ngo Bao Chau at the Vietnam Institute for Advanced Studies in Mathematics; Professor Tran Thanh Van at the Quy Nhon International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education, or Professor Vu Ha Van at the Institute for Big Data Research. Vietnam needs to become a place to attract world talent, Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Tuan Anh expressed his wish./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-dinh-hinh-vi-the-moi-voi-duong-loi-doi-ngoai-toan-dien-post1076768.vnp