Vietnam’s Rise in New Era: Urgent Goals and Strategic Vision (P1)

Vietnam’s era of resurgence is directly rooted in the monumental achievements of its struggle for independence and freedom, the path toward socialism, and the historic, far-reaching accomplishments of the Doi Moi (Renovation) and development period.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, Member of the Central Theoretical Council, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (Rosie Nguyen translates)

June 17, 2025 | 09:02

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On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2024), To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, published an article titled "Digital Transformation – Key Driver for Advancing the Forces of Production, Reshaping Relations of Production, and Propelling the Nation into a New Era."

Vietnam’s Rise in New Era: Urgent Goals and Strategic Vision (P1)

Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits a technology exhibition at the launch ceremony of the nationwide emulation movement titled “The Entire Nation Emulates Innovation and Digital Transformation.” Photo: VNA

In the piece, the General Secretary and President laid out a strategic vision: "Our country is standing at a new crossroads, where opportunities and challenges intertwine on the development path. Under the Party’s leadership, with the solidarity and concerted effort of the entire Party, the people, and the political system, we are determined to successfully carry out the digital transformation revolution, creating a breakthrough in developing the forces of production and modernizing production relations. This will enable our nation and people to make a great leap forward in a new era—an era of advancement, civilization, and modernity."

In his closing remarks at the 10th Plenary Session of the 13th Party Central Committee on September 23, 2024, General Secretary To Lam emphasized "The Central Committee unanimously agreed that with the position and strength accumulated over 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), and with the unity of the entire Party, people, and armed forces—alongside new opportunities and favorable conditions—we now possess all the essential foundations. The documents of the 14th National Party Congress must set forth a clear strategic direction, key tasks, and vital solutions to unleash the full potential of productive forces, maximize internal resources, leverage external strengths, and place endogenous resources and human capital at the core. Science, technology, and innovation will serve as the breakthroughs to lead our country into a new era—the era of Vietnam's great resurgence."

On October 31, 2024, at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, General Secretary To Lam shared key insights on the "new era" — the era of national resurgence — with participants of the third training course for officials in the planning pool for the 14th Party Central Committee. For the first time, a senior Party leader concretized several fundamental and urgent issues related to Vietnam’s rise in this new era.

The General Secretary clearly outlined the purpose and objectives "The ultimate goal of this era of resurgence is a prosperous people, a strong nation, a socialist society, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great powers. The top priority in this new era is to achieve the strategic goals successfully: by 2030, Vietnam becomes a modern, industrialized, upper-middle-income developing country; by 2045, a developed, high-income socialist nation. It is essential to strongly ignite the national spirit — the sense of independence, confidence, self-reliance, resilience, national pride, and the aspiration for national development — while tightly linking national strength with the strength of the times."

He urges officials to fully grasp the importance of preparing the necessary conditions to enter a new era — the era of Vietnam’s rise — beginning with the tremendous achievements gained over nearly 40 years of Doi Moi under the Party’s leadership. These achievements have helped Vietnam build up strength and momentum for a breakthrough in the next stage of development. He emphasized that this is a strategically important opportunity, shaped by the epochal transformations underway in the world today. It is also driven by a spirit of self-reliance, confidence, national pride, and the synergy of people power with the strength of the times. It is a moment when the will of the Party aligns with the aspirations of the people — the shared desire to build a prosperous, happy nation and realize socialism, standing shoulder to shoulder with global powers.

The General Secretary outlined the strategic orientation for ushering the country into this new era of national resurgence: renewing the Party’s leadership methods; strengthening the Party’s role in building and perfecting a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people; streamlining the organizational apparatus for greater effectiveness and efficiency; accelerating digital transformation; actively combating wastefulness; building a contingent of capable, virtuous officials; promoting economic development; and overcoming the risks of stagnation, and the middle-income trap.

As of now, the overarching goal of this new era of Vietnam’s rise can be summarized as: striving to become a developed, wealthy, strong, democratic, just, and civilized nation by the mid-21st century. Vietnam aims to achieve a high level of economic development based on a modern production force aligned with progressive production relations. The country seeks to establish a modern industrial base driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; ensure its people enjoy prosperity and happiness; pursue deep and comprehensive international integration; elevate its global standing and reputation; possess the strength and capacity to proactively defend the homeland from an early stage and from afar against all forms of modern warfare.

Precious foundation and premise from the struggle for national independence and freedom

For Vietnam, a historic turning point was reached in 1945. The Platform for National Construction in the Transition to Socialism (supplemented and developed in 2011) affirmed: “The victory of the August Revolution in 1945 shattered the colonial and feudal regimes, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and ushering our nation into an era of independence and freedom.” From a French colony under a backward feudal regime in the East, Vietnam proclaimed to the world its status as an independent, sovereign country — a nation governed by working people. In the Declaration of Independence, President Ho Chi Minh underscored this historic triumph: “Our people overthrew the colonial yoke imposed for nearly a hundred years to found an independent Vietnam. Our people also overthrew the centuries-old monarchy to establish a democratic republic.”

To safeguard independence and freedom, the Vietnamese military and people endured long and arduous resistance wars, making great sacrifices in their heroic struggle and ultimately securing glorious victories against powerful colonialist and imperialist forces as well as international reactionaries. At the same time, they worked tirelessly to build socialism in the North. In the spring of 1975, the triumph of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign led to the complete liberation of the South and national reunification, marking Vietnam’s full march toward socialism.

Vietnam’s victory carried not only immense national significance but also profound historical and international meaning. It was a great feat of the 20th century — an event of global and epochal importance. Vietnam emerged as a pioneering nation in the global movement against colonialism and imperialism, representing the triumph of civilization over brutality, the voice of conscience and the indomitable spirit of the era. This legacy serves as a valuable foundation and premise for Vietnam to open a new, glorious chapter in its history — the era of national resurgence.

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Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, Member of the Central Theoretical Council, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (Rosie Nguyen translates)