Firmly entering the era of prosperous development

In the roundtable discussion on “Vietnam steadily steps into the era of growth”, SGGP Newspaper respectfully presents to readers the perspectives of politicians and experts on the important achievements in the struggle to protect and build the country over the past 80 years.

Editor's note: In the flow of Vietnamese history, 80 years since Independence Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025) has a very special meaning, a journey from the aspiration for independence and freedom to today's development achievements. In the roundtable discussion on "Vietnam steadily enters the era of rising up", SGGP Newspaper respectfully presents to readers the perspectives of politicians and experts on the important achievements in the struggle to protect and build the country over the past 80 years. This is a solid foundation for our country to take off, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers.

Comrade BUI THANH SON, Deputy Prime Minister :

Diplomacy creates momentum and position to help the country move forward steadily.

During the 80-year journey of construction and growth, under the leadership of the Party and the direct guidance of President Ho Chi Minh , the first Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vietnamese diplomacy has always maintained its revolutionary spirit, constantly promoted its glorious tradition, served the Fatherland, served the people, and contributed to the great victories in the revolutionary cause of the nation.

During the period of defending the country's young independence, the country was faced with a "thousand pounds hanging by a thread", "internal and external enemies" (1945-1946); during the resistance war against French colonialism (1946-1954); and in the struggle to liberate the South and unify the country (1954-1975), diplomacy played a pioneering role in contributing to maintaining the achievements of the revolution, preserving the people's government, breaking the siege and isolation, expanding relations with the outside world, gaining support and assistance from international friends, combining with military and politics, creating a "fighting and negotiating" situation, creating an opportunity for the complete liberation of the South and unification of the country.

During the period of reconstruction, national construction and economic development after the war (1975-1986), diplomacy was the core force, pioneering in the struggle to help our country escape from political isolation and economic embargo.

During the period of Renovation from 1986 to present, diplomacy has promoted its pioneering role, taking the lead in building peace and protecting the Fatherland "early and from afar", opening up a favorable foreign situation for building and protecting the Fatherland.

Along with national defense and security, diplomacy has contributed to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, protecting the Fatherland early and from afar. Border issues with related countries have been gradually resolved, creating a legal basis and favorable conditions for building a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border, promoting socio-economic development, and at the same time contributing to consolidating peace and stability in the region. Economic diplomacy for development has played an important role as a driving force in socio-economic development.

From a backward country, heavily devastated by war, Vietnam has now become a rapidly growing economy, ranked among the top 32 economies in terms of GDP. Our international integration has shifted from simple economic integration to comprehensive and extensive integration. To date, we have economic relations with more than 230 countries and territories; signed and implemented 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including many new generation FTAs.

Entering a new era of the nation, the Vietnamese diplomatic sector vows to make every effort to continue writing the glorious history of diplomacy in the Ho Chi Minh era, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people, promoting the pioneering spirit, proactively and actively creating momentum and position to contribute to bringing the country steadily to new levels of development.

Comrade NGUYEN VAN THANG, Minister of Finance:

The Finance industry will be more confident, professional and modern.

Looking back on the 80-year journey of formation, construction and development, especially in the 40 years of Renovation up to now, the Finance sector has always strived to achieve many outstanding achievements, contributing significantly to the common achievements of the whole country.

That is innovation to build a system of thinking and a strategic vision for economic development in each stage of the country's development, from the era of independence and freedom to the era of building socialism, the era of innovation and now the era of growing development.

It is a shift from centralized planning to openness, integration, building a socialist-oriented market economy, proactively creating a new development ecosystem, taking science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force.

These continuous efforts have contributed to an average economic growth of about 6.3% per year in the 5-year period 2021-2025, among the highest growth rates in the world and the region.

If from the early days of the August Revolution, the Finance sector has worked with the people to "tighten their belts", build the Independence Fund, issue Uncle Ho banknotes, and implement financial policies in the period of overcoming the consequences of war, gradually recovering the economy; then up to now, the state budget revenue has reached about 2 million billion VND, of which the development investment expenditure ratio has increased to 32%, ensuring resources for development investment, completing the target of 3,000km of expressway and about 1,700km of coastal road, exceeding the target set by the 13th Party Congress.

State budget deficit accounts for about 3.3-3.4%, public debt is about 37% of GDP; ensuring national financial safety, national credit rating is always at the "stable" outlook.

The achievement is also a breakthrough in thinking and action in advising on institutions, mechanisms, and policies for socio-economic development; creating and gradually perfecting the institutional and legal framework and infrastructure system to form and develop increasingly sustainable insurance and securities sectors to promote economic development and become an important investment and capital mobilization channel for businesses and the economy.

After 80 years of construction and development, the Vietnamese Finance industry has steadily overcome many challenges, so that today it can confidently step into a new journey with a new mindset - more courageous, more professional, more modern.

Comrade NGUYEN VAN HUNG, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism:

Investing in culture is investing in the whole person.

Throughout history, culture has always played a special role, both as the spiritual foundation of society and as a torch lighting the way for the struggle and construction of the country.

President Ho Chi Minh's thought "Culture lights the way for the nation" still holds true today and becomes even more urgent in the context of deep integration and sustainable development.

The 13th National Party Congress affirmed that cultural development and human resource development are key tasks. After one term of implementation, the culture, sports and tourism sector has achieved many important results, creating a foundation to realize the aspiration of a strong Vietnam.

In the period 2018-2022, the cultural industry contributes an average of nearly 3.5% of GVA (gross value added), higher than the global average; the average production value reaches over 1 million billion VND/year, in 2022 alone it is nearly 2 million billion VND.

Exports of cultural goods have recovered strongly, especially handicrafts, bringing Vietnam into the top 10 exporting countries in the world; the gaming industry has risen to 5th place globally, and software outsourcing has ranked in the top 7 in the world. The cultural workforce has increased by an average of 7.44% per year, and the number of creative enterprises is growing.

In the tourism sector, cultural products from festivals, cuisine, craft villages to community experiences have contributed to promoting the image of a safe and friendly Vietnam. Sports also made history with the first Olympic gold medal, many consecutive years in the top 3 of the SEA Games, and football asserting its position in the region.

Entering the new era, culture must innovate, integrate deeply but still maintain national identity; it needs to be placed on par with economics, politics, society and national defense - security in all development strategies. Investing in culture is investing in comprehensive human beings.

Protecting, rewarding and honoring artists, intellectuals, artisans, and those who preserve the national soul is also a way to awaken endogenous strength, so that Vietnamese culture becomes the driving force to bring the country to the goal of being strong, humane and sustainable by 2045.

With the statement of action: "Culture is the foundation - Information is the conduit - Sports is the strength - Tourism is the connecting bridge", the Culture, Sports and Tourism sector is determined to accompany the nation on the journey to realize the aspiration of a strong Vietnam.

Dr. NGUYEN DINH CUNG, former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, member of the Government's Economic Advisory Group:

The arduous journey to glory of the private economy

Along with the country's development process, the private economy has gone from being unrecognized to being recognized as an indispensable part and is now the most important driving force of the economy.

It was an arduous journey with many ups and downs, but the main theme was openness, determined to abandon the mindset of "if you can't manage it, ban it", shifting from focusing on control to facilitating.

With the change in thinking and drastic actions of leaders, many things are being done decisively and quickly for the first time, the current time can be considered the "golden time" for reform. The question is whether we can really take advantage of the opportunity or not.

The target of an average growth of 10% per year by 2030, an average income per capita of 8,500 USD by 2030, and about 18,000 USD by 2045... represents a great aspiration, reflecting a strong will to make the country break through; at the same time, the challenges are also enormous.

Because in the past 40 years, Vietnam's average growth rate has only reached about 6.5-7%/year. To realize the above good goals, I think the prerequisite is still to ensure transparent institutions, a favorable business environment, and a strong shift to e-Government.

In addition, it is time to renew the growth momentum; we cannot continue the old model of relying on widespread public investment, cheap labor and resource exploitation. That momentum lies in science and technology, digital infrastructure and clean energy.

At the same time, even if we still have to rely on agriculture, it must be modern, high-yield agriculture, ensuring safety for consumers and being environmentally friendly. The economic structure must shift to industry and services based on innovation.

And of course, the private sector must rise even higher, account for a larger proportion of GDP, be steadfast and confident in competing internationally, and make important contributions to the second renovation, turning Vietnam into a developed, high-income, civilized, and sustainably developed country.

Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Senior Lieutenant General NGUYEN HUY HIEU, former Deputy Minister of National Defense:

The younger generation will continue the tradition, reaching new heights.

The greatest value after 80 years since the founding of the nation is the longevity of the Vietnamese people on the foundation of independence and sovereignty. If we have to talk about the most core value that the Vietnamese people have preserved for the past 80 years, it is independence and peace.

Without independence there is no freedom, without peace there can be no development. We must always remember that today's peace is the price paid for by the blood of previous generations.

If the previous generation wrote history with blood and tears, then the current and future generations must continue to write with intelligence, effort and aspiration. We are proud to have a resilient nation, a steadfast Party, and a generation of fathers and brothers who have created miracles.

However, we must not rest on our laurels. We still have much to do, and many challenges ahead. The young generation must consider independence and peace as the foundation for breakthroughs, to turn Vietnam into a powerful country, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as Uncle Ho once wished.

The greatest lesson after 80 years is the solidarity between the nation - Party - people - young generation. If we know how to rely on the people, arouse the strength of solidarity, promote the intelligence and aspirations of the youth, the country will overcome all difficulties to rise up.

80 years since Independence Day, the Vietnamese people have shown the world the strength of a small but resilient and ambitious nation. The responsibility of building and defending the Fatherland today belongs to the young generation.

I believe that the young generation of Vietnam will continue the tradition, reaching new heights, so that today's 80 years are just the starting point for the glorious centuries ahead.

Mr. DINH HONG KY, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association: Opportunity to receive technology and finance for green development

In the context of the world witnessing major changes in climate, trade and technology, Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular are entering a new stage of development with the requirement of both economic growth and transition to a green development model.

This is not only an inevitable trend, but also the key for Vietnam to integrate more deeply and access high-end markets with increasingly strict ESG standards. Therefore, the cooperation between the State, businesses and the international community has and will help turn challenges into opportunities, making Vietnam an attractive destination for capital flows and green technology in the coming time.

I believe that, together with partners from Korea, Japan, Europe and many developed economies, Vietnamese enterprises will have the opportunity to receive experience, technology as well as the necessary financial resources to promote the effective green transition process.

The Green Business Association is committed to working closely with the Ho Chi Minh City government and international partners to create specific cooperation programs, thereby expanding the market for Vietnamese products, especially green, environmentally friendly and high value-added products.

Mr. LAM QUOC THANH, General Director of Saigon Trading Group Limited (SATRA):

Contribute to bringing Vietnamese products far and wide

As one of the key commercial and service enterprises of Ho Chi Minh City, SATRA is always aware of its responsibility to accompany the development strategy of the city and the country.

Reality shows that Vietnam can only develop sustainably when it forms closed, transparent and efficient supply chains, thereby increasing the value of agricultural products, food and consumer industrial products.

In recent years, SATRA has accelerated the restructuring of its retail system, opening modern shopping centers following the “one-stop shopping” model, and upgrading Binh Dien wholesale market - where thousands of tons of agricultural products are traded every night - into a regional logistics center.

At the same time, we pioneer the application of digital technology, big data and e-commerce to optimize supply chain management, bringing OCOP products, local specialties and high-quality Vietnamese goods directly to domestic and international consumers.

We believe that the cooperation of SATRA with the Ho Chi Minh City government and other localities will contribute to solving the problem of "good harvest, low price", helping farmers stabilize their income and enhance the position of Vietnamese products in the market.

Mr. PHAM NHU ANH General Director of MB:

Grow through digital transformation

Digital transformation is no longer an option, but a mandatory path for businesses to survive and break through in the 4.0 era. Identifying digital transformation as an opportunity and core goal, the Military Commercial Bank (MB) launched its digital transformation strategy in 2017 with the orientation of becoming a "Digital Enterprise, Leading Financial Group".

The achievements that MB has achieved are the basis for signing a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation with Dunamu, a group from Korea that supports the establishment of a cryptocurrency exchange, transfers technology and provides comprehensive experience in operating a cryptocurrency exchange.

From a traditional commercial bank, MB has boldly invested an average of 50 million USD/year in its information technology system in 3 main pillars: building technology infrastructure, training human resources and implementing automation projects. To date, the bank owns a team of more than 2,000 technology engineers, accounting for 10% of the total workforce, a rare ratio in the banking industry in Vietnam.

The bank’s goal is not only to digitize its operations but also to become a true digital enterprise, where 50% of its revenue will come from digital channels in the future. With an ecosystem serving 33 million customers, MB is expanding strongly into the digital asset business, including fund certificates, stocks, bonds and digital assets in the near future.

AI VAN - HANH NHUNG

LUU THUY - BAO VAN - THU HA

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vung-buoc-tien-vao-ky-nguyen-phat-trien-thinh-vuong-post811285.html