On the morning of October 26, at the opening session of the 7th International Conference on Vietnamese Studies, General Secretary Tô Lâm delivered a profound and inspiring speech that outlined Vietnam’s vision for development in the new era.
He reaffirmed a simple yet powerful truth:
“The most precious resource of Vietnam is not minerals or a strategic location, but its 106 million hardworking, creative, and patriotic people.”
A Small Nation with a Great Soul
General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized that although Vietnam is not large in size or population compared to world powers, it possesses a continuous history of nation-building and defense spanning thousands of years — a history that has forged a unique national identity.
“That identity,” he said, “is the unyielding courage before all invasions and storms; the wisdom to adapt and learn; the spirit of ‘nothing is more precious than independence and freedom’; and the aspiration to build a just, compassionate, and humane society.”
Through countless struggles and transformations, Vietnam has developed a profound cultural heritage — rooted in the people’s hearts, grounded in humanity, and sustained by an unbreakable sense of independence. Vietnamese culture, he noted, is dynamic and open, embracing the world’s essence while preserving its own core values.
“It is this vitality,” the General Secretary declared, “that has allowed our nation to rise from the ashes of war and step into a new era of confident development.”
Peace – Vietnam’s Unchanging Principle
In a world of uncertainty and conflict, Tô Lâm reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering stance:
“Peace, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are sacred and immutable principles. Vietnam is determined to resolve all issues through peaceful means, based on international law, mutual respect, equality, and shared benefit.”
This statement not only reflects Vietnam’s diplomatic philosophy but also its deeply rooted humanistic values — the belief that strength lies not in confrontation but in dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation.
Forty Years of Renewal – Rising from the Rubble
Reflecting on the last four decades of reform, the General Secretary highlighted Vietnam’s remarkable transformation: from a war-torn, impoverished nation into a dynamic, deeply integrated economy contributing actively to regional and global value chains.
“We participate in international integration with the spirit of joining hands with the global community to build a world order based on law, fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for the legitimate interests of all nations, large and small alike,” he said.
This statement captures Vietnam’s role as not merely a participant in globalization, but a responsible partner shaping a fairer and more inclusive future.
Fast and Sustainable Development – Two Sides of One Reality
According to Tô Lâm, the central question for Vietnam today is: how to grow rapidly without losing social stability, and how to modernize without sacrificing the nation’s moral and cultural fabric.
“For us,” he said, “rapid and sustainable development form a single, inseparable reality. Growth only has meaning when every citizen enjoys its fruits fairly, safely, and humanely — when no one is left behind.”
To achieve that, Vietnam pursues development based on three key pillars:
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Modern, transparent, and effective governance and institutional reform.
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Comprehensive human development — education, healthcare, science, innovation, and culture.
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A green, digital, knowledge-based, and circular economy rooted in innovation and technology.
“Green growth and sustainable development,” the General Secretary stressed, “are strategic choices — irreversible and essential.”
Sustainability Is Not Just Economics – It’s a Moral Imperative
He further explained that sustainability goes beyond economics or ecology; it is about moral integrity and social justice.
“A truly sustainable society values truth, fairness, compassion — where the elderly are respected, children are protected, women are empowered, and the vulnerable are cared for. Development without these values is not sustainable — and not our goal,” he declared.
Vietnam’s path to progress, therefore, is not just material but deeply humanistic — a balance between modernization and moral grounding.
New Thinking, Unchanging Values
As Vietnam steps into a new development phase, its mindset is more open, innovative, and forward-looking than ever. Yet, the eternal values remain unchanged: national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity — sacred and inviolable.
The happiness of the people, he stressed, must be measured not merely by income, but by housing, education, healthcare, a clean environment, and opportunities for every family to live better.
That, he said, is how Vietnam measures progress — through real human wellbeing, not just economic figures.
Above all, Vietnam’s greatest strength remains its national unity, the thread connecting past triumphs to future aspirations.
A Call for Knowledge and Cooperation
In his concluding remarks, General Secretary Tô Lâm issued a heartfelt call to the international community of Vietnamese studies scholars:
“I sincerely invite international researchers, scholars, and students to come to Vietnam more often, stay longer, work equally with Vietnamese colleagues, and listen to voices from the grassroots — not just through aggregated statistics.”
He expressed his belief that Vietnam is a “land rich in scientific material for anyone interested in development, transformation, modernization, and sustainability.”
Vietnam, he concluded, enters the new era with great ambition, yet with humility, openness, and a willingness to learn.
In Essence
This speech is more than a policy statement — it’s a declaration of Vietnam’s 21st-century philosophy:
To place humans at the heart of progress, culture as the foundation, peace as the principle, and knowledge as the driving force.
Sources: vnex
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