Vietnam affirms its independence, reform and development for the people

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, many international scholars and politicians have assessed that Vietnam has risen from the spirit of independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening; firmly following the path of Renovation with the real participation of the people; placing people at the center of development. From the ashes of war, Vietnam has risen to become a typical, dynamic and inclusive success story, steadily progressing on the journey to becoming a comprehensively developed country.

Dr. Eng Kok Thay, Secretary of State of the Cabinet Office of the Royal Government of Cambodia:

Vietnam - A model of a self-reliant and self-reliant developing nation

Dr. Eng Kok Thay, Secretary of State of the Office of the Cabinet of the Royal Government of Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking to VNA reporters, Dr. Eng Kok Thay assessed that over the past 80 years, Vietnam has undergone many social and production relations transformations, as well as resistance wars against foreign invaders, including the participation of Cambodia. It is a common journey of two neighboring countries that were both under French colonial rule in the past, have the same political and social journey, and participate in the cause of building and developing peace in each country. Vietnam has unified the two parts of the country, achieved lasting peace and developed strongly, going through many stages of development with changes in economic policy, national management and government administration, especially the transition to a socialist-oriented market economy.

He said that boldly changing economic development perspectives, along with policy adjustments under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, has helped Vietnam achieve important development achievements such as poverty reduction, improving life expectancy and living standards of the people.

"With a very low poverty rate, Vietnamese people today have a happy life, have every freedom and can decide their own future," he emphasized.

Dr. Eng Kok Thay also highly appreciated Vietnam's achievement of the Millennium Development Goals earlier than many other countries in ASEAN and its continued efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. He expressed his admiration for the industrious and creative spirit of the Vietnamese people in their work, contributing to maintaining peace, adapting to climate change, preventing epidemics and solving global problems. According to him, the achievements in caring for the lives of ethnic minorities and preserving cultural and religious spaces demonstrate Vietnam's inclusive and harmonious development.

"Vietnam today has become a model country for countries in the ASEAN region, as well as Asia and the international community," said Dr. Eng Kok Thay.

Dr. Nadia Radulovich, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Salvador (Argentina):

Vietnam affirms its position through people-centered development

According to Dr. Nadia Radulovich, the Vietnamese people demonstrated their strength and resilience in the resistance wars, unifying the country in 1975, before implementing Doi Moi in 1986 and achieving strong socio-economic changes. She cited that Vietnam's GDP has increased from 8 billion USD in 1986 to more than 476 billion USD in 2024, and per capita income from less than 700 USD to about 4,500 USD.

Drum performance at the parade rehearsal on August 30, 2025. (Photo: Dan Tri Newspaper)

She emphasized that people-centered development policies are a highlight of Vietnam’s development model, demonstrated through the application of multidimensional poverty standards and social security policies. Exemption of tuition fees for students from kindergarten to high school in public schools from the 2025-2026 school year is a step forward that clearly demonstrates the priority of human development and ensuring equal educational opportunities.

According to her, the journey from 1945 to the present shows that Vietnam has harmoniously combined the will for national independence, decisive economic reform and commitment to humanity, thereby rising to become a prestigious middle power in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Claudio De Negri, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of Chile, former Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam:

Vietnam focuses on social security and people's participation in the Renovation process.

Mr. Claudio De Negri, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of Chile, former Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: VOV))

In an interview with Nhan Dan newspaper, Mr. Claudio De Negri said that the strength of the Renovation process in Vietnam is the real participation of the people, from taking the people as the root, identifying the economic challenges of the whole country - something that every Vietnamese person is proud to be the subject and participate in every step of progress.

Vietnam has transformed from an agricultural economy into one of the world's most dynamic markets, with an economy that places a focus on the well-being of its people, allowing them to participate in formulating reforms and overcoming shortcomings.

Vietnam's Doi Moi process is a typical example, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and under the management of the State, Vietnam has integrated the role of the market and foreign investment into the economy while still maintaining socialist principles.

Vietnam balances economic growth with environmental protection and sustainable resource management, focusing on people's welfare and national development. This is also the spirit behind the current streamlining of the state apparatus, aiming for a more direct and seamless connection between the State and the people.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak:

From the ashes of war, Vietnam has become a typical success story.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's wife, Nili Barak, takes a photo of her husband in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh during his visit to Vietnam, August 2022. (Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)

Speaking to VNA reporters, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said he felt in Vietnam "a special source of energy, concentration, unity and a very clear desire for development". According to him, Doi Moi is not just a policy but a strategic transformation, demonstrating the spirit of reform, daring to overcome dogma to rise up - something that is not easy for a country that has both built a socialist-oriented market economy and preserved its political heritage.

Since 1986, Vietnam has demonstrated that with the right strategy, commitment to change and courage, a difficult starting point can lead to extraordinary success, he stressed. "From the ashes of war, you have built a dynamic, competitive economy, based on education, technology and reform leadership," he said.

Mr. Ehud Barak affirmed that Vietnam has become a typical success story in development, lifting millions of people out of poverty and now aiming to become a high-income country within the next two decades. He believed that when Vietnam celebrates its 100th National Day, it will be a comprehensively developed country, with a brilliant celebration worthy of what it has achieved.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-khang-dinh-ban-linh-doc-lap-cai-cach-va-phat-trien-vi-con-nguoi-215937.html