Kon Tum supports Rattanakiri province (Cambodia) in building healthcare, education facilities
	Health minister highlights comprehensive, people-centred healthcare orientation

From Aid Recipient to Partner Sharing Experience

According to Tran Phuong Lien, amid ongoing regional and global volatility, Vietnam is increasingly affirming its position as a dynamic country and a reliable partner, ready to share development experience with the international community. This role is clearly reflected in key areas closely connected to people’s lives, especially healthcare and education.

Tran Phuong Lien, Chief Representative of REI (US) in Viet Nam.

In healthcare, Vietnam has made a significant shift from being mainly an aid recipient to becoming a partner that shares experience. Its achievements in controlling dangerous infectious diseases and maintaining a wide-reaching grassroots healthcare network have become practical lessons of value to many countries with similar income levels. These outcomes reflect professional capacity, strong organization and management, and the ability to mobilize resources for public health.

In education, Vietnam’s standing continues to be strengthened through positive indicators of educational attainment and its capacity to keep pace with international standards. Viet Nam is gradually becoming an important link in the regional supply chain of high-quality human resources for Southeast Asia, especially as countries in the region accelerate digital transformation and the development of knowledge-based economies.

Vietnam’s active participation in multilateral mechanisms demonstrates the image of a responsible partner, ready to contribute and share experience in public healthcare and education reform. “Political stability is the key factor for implementing long-term development programs and projects. Vietnam provides reassurance of a transparent operating environment where commitments are respected and seriously implemented,” Tran Phuong Lien emphasized. She added that Vietnam’s resilience, hospitality, and openness to learning from advanced development models have created strong alignment between international organizations and local partners. Its rich cultural and historical values are also seen as an important internal strength, contributing to the country’s long-term development resilience.

Long-Term Vision and Room for Cooperation

Referring to the development orientation centered on people’s happiness stated in the draft documents for the 14th National Congress of the Party, Tran Phuong Lien said this is a deeply humane message fully aligned with global development trends. As the world faces multiple challenges such as inequality, mental health issues, and climate change, placing people’s happiness at the center reflects a long-term vision that goes beyond an approach based solely on GDP growth.

In healthcare, “happiness” means that everyone has the opportunity to access quality health services. In education, it is the right to lifelong learning and the ability to maximize each individual’s potential. This approach shares many similarities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and also helps reinforce the image of a Vietnam committed to universal human values.

Regarding policies to develop the private sector and improve the investment environment, Tran Phuong Lien said this is the right direction, opening up many new opportunities for cooperation. Private enterprises, especially in education technology and health technology, are becoming important partners, helping social solutions to be implemented faster and more effectively. Continued efforts to improve a transparent legal framework will strengthen the attraction of foreign direct investment and create conditions for ODA resources as well as international development funds and philanthropic foundations to engage more deeply in Vietnam’s development process.

Dow Chemical Vietnam Co., Ltd. and REI in Viet Nam donate essential supplies to the Emergency and Intensive Care Department of Hanoi Medical University Hospital on October 10, 2023.

Cooperation between Vietnam and international partners remains full of potential, especially in areas such as digital health, biotechnology, high-quality education, green skills training, and sustainable development. She also suggested several policy directions, including developing “green education” and “sustainable healthcare” strategies, building a national data system on social welfare, and further improving the legal framework for social organizations and non-governmental organizations.

According to her, Vietnam’s development momentum will be amplified through the active and effective participation of foreign non-governmental organizations. Simplifying administrative procedures and strengthening regular dialogue mechanisms between the Vietnamese Government and NGOs would help ensure that people-centered development policies are implemented in a more practical, timely, and effective manner.

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