Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction progress of Long Thanh airport project, Dong Nai province_Source: chinhphu.vn

Firm spirit and innovation policy - vital factor of the nation, deciding all successes in each historical period

The thinking and awareness of the issue of innovation have always been latent and present in the government system, the leadership classes and the Vietnamese people right from the first pages of the history of building and defending the country, clearly demonstrated in a series of great achievements and feats associated with prominent and important historical figures and events, such as the tactic of "lying still and waiting for the enemy is not as good as sending troops to fight to block the enemy's strength" of the famous general Ly Thuong Kiet in the resistance war against the invading Song army; the tactic of "empty gardens and empty houses" of the Tran dynasty when welcoming the Mongol - Nguyen army; feudal dynasties with many reforms in many fields, such as politics, military, finance, socio-economics and culture and education, etc. In particular, in February 1930, the event of merging three communist organizations into the Communist Party of Vietnam partly demonstrated the spirit of innovation in thinking and action in the particularly difficult circumstances and times of the country. All of them leave many great lessons from the requirement of innovation in thinking and action to suit the times, bringing higher efficiency in leading and managing the country.

Since the Communist Party of Vietnam was born (in 1930) and led the revolution, the task of innovation has always been considered important, becoming an urgent and key requirement. This is clearly demonstrated in the success of the August Revolution (in 1945) - a great event in the history of the Vietnamese nation, that "for the first time in the revolutionary history of colonial and semi-colonial peoples, a Party only 15 years old successfully led the revolution and took power nationwide " ⁽¹⁾ . The great victory of the August Revolution demonstrated vision, intelligence sensitive to the times, great will and determination in action, especially the spirit of resolutely renewing thinking and methods to seize power so that the General Uprising could achieve complete victory, when "New circumstances and new tasks required our Party to have a new political path, and the new political path required a new organizational path" ⁽²⁾ .

The whole country simultaneously implemented two revolutionary strategies: Building socialism in the North and liberating the South, unifying the country was a great creation of our Party in the years 1954 - 1975; with a strong innovative policy to successively defeat the war strategies of American imperialism and build socialism in the conditions of destructive war and performing the task of the great rear.

After the country was reunified (in 1975), the North and South were reunited, more than a decade later, the comprehensive national renovation associated with the 6th Party Congress (1986) was carried out. Before that, we had made many serious mistakes for a long time, especially the backwardness in theoretical awareness, the state of conservatism, stagnation due to old thinking, impatience, subjectivity, and voluntarism. Therefore, the country had to face many great difficulties, especially the weakness in management and economic development, causing people's lives to be unable to escape poverty and underdevelopment. Since the renovation was initiated, increasingly going deeper into practice, the Party and the State have paid attention to overcoming limitations and barriers, resolutely eliminating obstacles and bottlenecks in national development; maintaining the spirit of innovation to seek new and suitable steps, resources, forms and measures to continue to move forward our country's revolutionary cause. Accordingly, over nearly 40 years, practice has proven that the decision to innovate is the most important factor to help the country transform strongly. From a place heavily devastated by war, Vietnam has become a destination for international investors and tourists; entered the top 40 leading economies; established diplomatic relations with 193 member countries of the United Nations; been praised by the international community as a bright spot in hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and the material and spiritual life of the people has continuously improved ⁽³⁾ . Along with that, the cultural and spiritual life of the people has improved significantly; the Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously increased; it is one of the leading countries in realizing the Millennium Development Goals ⁽⁴⁾ . Currently, our country is on the path of rapid, comprehensive and sustainable development, the internal strength of the entire nation is being built up in all aspects, the position and prestige in the international arena are being raised to a new height, the socialist regime is being maintained ⁽⁵⁾ , that "Our country has never had such a foundation, potential, position and international prestige as today" ⁽⁶⁾ .

From the above practice, it can be concluded that the truth for sustainable national development is innovation; in which, the innovation process must be initiated and comprehensively led by the Party. The 40-year journey of implementing the country's innovation is the clearest evidence of the great achievements brought about by the spirit of innovation; demonstrating the continuous process of eliminating the old and backward to build new and better things, creating suitable productive forces and production relations in the new context, aiming to build a happy and progressive life for individuals and society ⁽⁷⁾ . Through that, we can see that "To innovate thinking, our Party must firmly grasp the revolutionary and scientific nature of Marxism-Leninism, inherit the precious legacy of revolutionary ideology and theory of President Ho Chi Minh" ⁽⁸⁾ , that in each new stage and period, we have developed on the law of "negation of negation", when gradually eliminating the negative aspects of the old mechanism, creating great changes in the working life, living, cultural and spiritual life of society,...

In the new situation, major countries are increasingly adjusting their strategies and competing fiercely. Armed conflicts and territorial sovereignty disputes, especially the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have multifaceted impacts on the country. The trend of using high-tech weapons and remote warfare is common, posing many new and urgent requirements for national defense,... The East Sea and the Southwest Sea are full of uncertainties ⁽⁹⁾ . On the other hand, many factors threatening non-traditional security, high-tech crimes in the fields of finance - currency, electronics - telecommunications, biology, environment,... tend to increase ⁽¹⁰⁾ . In addition, nationalism has increasingly influenced and deeply influenced the development process of countries and territories, even at the regional and global levels. Promoting patriotism, strengthening the great solidarity of the Vietnamese people, contributing to preventing extreme nationalism and separatist ideology has become urgent. Meanwhile, in our country, hostile and reactionary forces are increasingly trying to sabotage the country, using many sinister and unpredictable methods and tricks under the guise of demanding religious freedom, democracy, human rights, etc., in order to take advantage of, incite, and bribe a part of the people to sabotage the country, while at the same time lowering, defaming, and distorting the leadership role and prestige of our Party and State ⁽¹¹⁾ ,...

Faced with the complex situation with many potential risks mentioned above, the issue of innovation to break down old and backward barriers to adapt to the trend, catch up with the modern flow; to open up and exploit all potentials and superior qualities of the Vietnamese people,... has once again become an urgent task, of vital significance, determining the success of the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, towards sustainable development in the future. The innovation process will also effectively promote the "Maximum promotion of the combined strength of the entire nation, of the entire political system combined with the strength of the times, maximizing the consensus and support of the international community..." ⁽¹²⁾ , at the same time creating a foundation to gradually complete the goal of "successfully building a socialist Vietnam, a rich people, a strong country, a democratic, equitable, civilized society, on par with the world powers" ⁽¹³⁾ in the era of national development.

Key industrial park of Bac Giang province_Source: nhiepanhdoisong.vn

Key directions and tasks to comprehensively and synchronously promote the innovation process in our country today

First, stick to the core principle that Maintain and enhance the Party's leadership role in state and social management - considering this as the key factor leading to all victories of the renovation process. Unify awareness and viewpoints, resolutely, persistently, and steadfastly implement the guiding goals of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and the laws of building socialism - the inevitable laws of history, deciding the survival of the nation in the new context, taking this as the foundation for building the country. Looking back to the past, at every revolutionary stage, our Party has had the right, comprehensive vision, intelligence and ideology, clearly recognizing its responsibility before the history of the nation, thereby fulfilling the mission of leading the entire people to fight for the final victory, in which the Party's absolute leadership role over the political system and the entire society has always been maintained as a solid foundation. In particular, in the context of globalization, international integration, the explosion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,... the entire Party must be united in strongly innovating its leadership and governing methods and capacity, worthy of being an increasingly "progressive, bold, confident, and genuine" force ⁽¹⁴⁾ ; pioneering in leading the entire nation forward strongly in the new era of development.

Second , the task of continuing to innovate the Party's leadership method with the State is a decisive factor for the success of the nation's revolutionary cause, therefore it is necessary to "Persistently and creatively apply and develop Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought; persistently pursue the goal of national independence and socialism; persistently pursue the Party's innovation path..." ⁽¹⁵⁾ . The core issue in the Party's governing method is expressed in the method and manner of leading and managing the State and society through promulgating and implementing policies and guidelines to develop the country sustainably, accordingly, the leadership method must be increasingly suitable and effective, meeting new requirements from practice. Thus, it is necessary to gradually improve the effectiveness of leadership through the political system in which the Party is the core, innovate policies and guidelines, institutionalize them into State policies and laws; promote mobilization and persuasion of the masses to implement them together. More importantly, we must be aware that the innovation and transformation strategy will only be successful when it is truly supported and approved by the masses, focusing on closely linking the "Party's will" with the "people's heart"; promoting the role of the people's intelligence and initiative in the spirit of "The people are very clever, very enthusiastic, very heroic... And if we want to understand and learn from the people, we must be enthusiastic, determined, humble, and hardworking" ⁽¹⁶⁾ .

Third , comprehensive national innovation must start from the foundation of innovation in thinking, awareness, and theoretical ideology, because this is the basis for the innovation process from summarizing the nation's creative practical experience, expressed in a system of theories that are dialectically related to each other. In fact, the task of innovation and development of theoretical thinking is the first factor that determines the victory of the revolutionary cause led by our Party, especially in difficult circumstances and historical turning points. To have new and creative thinking, there must be a dialectical combination of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thought on the foundation of traditional values ​​and the quintessence of national culture as well as a new system of cognition about the modern world. An important issue in innovation in thinking is to perceive and clearly identify opportunities and challenges in each situation; acutely predict the development trends of the world, at the same time prepare the necessary conditions, determine the method of combining internal and external factors to seize important opportunities to promote the construction and sustainable development of the country in the new era of development. Opportunity is a decisive factor for the victory of the revolution; today, Vietnam is entering the process of deep integration, so it is necessary to always take advantage of opportunities, overcome challenges, and handle "many new strategic issues that need to be solved" ⁽¹⁷⁾ - lessons from the success of the August Revolution (1945) and the renovation process since 1986 have proven this.

In the context of the international situation continuing to have new, complex and unpredictable developments; the country is aiming for development goals at important milestones in 2025, 2030, 2045..., the requirements for the stature and theoretical thinking level of our Party must be renewed and raised to the level of the goals and strategic vision, superior enough to eliminate the obstacles of outdated, backward, stagnant thinking, which risks holding back development. In particular, the practical summaries and major theoretical studies in the coming time, such as the summary of 40 years of implementing the renovation process (1986 - 2026 period) must contribute to perfecting the theory on the renovation path, on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, creating opportunities for our Party to renew, develop theoretical thinking, intelligence and governing capacity to a commensurate level, meeting the requirements of the new development stage of the country. Along with that, further enhance the awareness of Party committees about the position and role of theoretical research work, summarize practices, ensure coordination between theoretical research agencies at the Central level; promote the role and responsibility of Party committees and leaders at localities and units for the task of innovating theoretical work.

Fourth, firmly uphold the highest goal of innovation, which is to link economic development with ensuring social security, for a peaceful and happy life, for the purpose of improving the material and spiritual life of the people. Innovate the way of organizing and implementing the Party and State's policies and guidelines in practice on sustainable development associated with protecting a safe, peaceful and clean living environment. Focus on consolidating and controlling inflation, improving the internal capacity and autonomy of the economy, maintaining the stable and safe development of the financial system, the monetary market, real estate, etc.; continue to prioritize improving the investment and business environment, aiming for faster, more sustainable and more substantial growth. In particular, economic policy must be consistent with social policy, taking the comprehensive development of human beings as the goal, the measure and driving force of development; Research and issue new policies to develop the culture of ethnic minority areas, gradually narrow the income gap and the gap between rich and poor between regions; ensure progress, social justice, improve the quality of life and the Human Happiness Index.

On the other hand, when entering a new phase, the economy has strong recovery and development, enterprises that want to improve their competitiveness in the global value chain must focus on innovation, build a solid foundation for production and business activities and promote growth, thereby gradually shaping a culture of innovation in the business community; demonstrate new levels and efficiency in production based on the application of scientific and technological achievements to create new quality and value. It is necessary to realize that innovation is the key factor for enterprises to improve their ability to adapt to the new context, promote growth, establish their position as leaders and change the game in the market. The State also needs to continue to have new and specific policies to inspire the dedication of intellectuals and entrepreneurs, ensuring their core role in starting up and innovating businesses, thereby forming a Vietnamese innovative startup ecosystem; Promote the leading role and lead the national economy of key localities, such as Hanoi Capital, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City, Can Tho City,...

Fifth , innovation   must be carried out simultaneously and synchronously in both thinking and action, and implemented comprehensively in all fields, from economics, culture, politics, foreign affairs, etc.; starting with innovation in thinking, doing, and thinking, especially economic development thinking, followed by innovation in working style, organization, and staff. Currently, The issue of concentrating resources and promoting combined strength needs to be viewed appropriately, avoiding the mindset of considering, analyzing and evaluating issues in isolation and only looking at a single element. On the contrary, it must start from the specific conditions of the country to determine which factors play a decisive, strategic and long-term role. Accordingly, it is necessary to consider internal resources as the decisive content; on the other hand, it is necessary to attract and make the most of favorable conditions and resources from outside; gather all classes and ethnic groups, and seek consensus and support from international forces, etc.

Along with that, prioritize taking advantage of mankind's scientific and technological achievements to innovate education and training methods, deeply integrate internationally... in the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo, "On breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation", contributing to building a high-quality human resource force of Vietnam with high academic qualifications, professional skills, and expertise, reaching international standards. Continue to research and build a system of new and appropriate mechanisms and policies to exploit and promote the highest cultural values ​​and good ethics, contributing to enhancing the country's overall strength in the spirit of "maximizing internal resources, taking advantage of external resources, in which internal resources, especially human resources, are the most important" ⁽¹⁸⁾ .

Sixth , innovation is the common cause of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire political system. In which, the contingent of cadres, party members, especially the contingent of strategic-level cadres, heads of Party committees and authorities at all levels must be a pioneering, dynamic, creative force, daring to think, daring to do, daring to make breakthroughs for the common cause. On the other hand, for the innovation to be successful, it is necessary to constantly improve the quality of cadre assessment work in a consistent, continuous, multi-dimensional manner, with criteria and through specific products; link individual assessment with collective, with the results of performing tasks of localities, agencies and units; attach importance to qualities, flexibility, the whole process in difficult and complicated environments, circumstances and conditions, associated with a spirit of learning, the ability to overcome limitations, and adapt to new things. Innovate methods of evaluating, managing, and effectively using cadres, honoring, replicating, and developing good, virtuous, and talented cadres, and classifying limited and weak cadres, "timely dismissing, allowing resignation, and replacing cadres with limited capacity, low prestige, and those who commit violations without waiting for the end of their term or appointment period" ⁽¹⁹⁾ according to the standards in Regulation No. 144-QD/TW, dated May 9, 2024, of the Politburo, on "Regulations on revolutionary ethical standards of cadres and party members in the new period"; ensure ethical standards and lifestyles, overcome the situation of cadres, civil servants, and public employees being afraid of responsibility and lacking courage in the spirit of Decree No. 73/ND-CP, dated September 29, 2023, of the Government, on "Decree on encouraging and protecting dynamic, creative cadres who dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the common good". Besides, exploiting and enhancing the core role, the subject and the great creativity of the people, especially the working class, contributes to "Maintaining the working class nature of the Party, firmly upholding the principles of Party building" ⁽²⁰⁾ ; at the same time, promoting the core role in the alliance with the peasantry and the intellectuals in the new situation to in creating motivation, building the comprehensive and comprehensive strength of the nation to carry out the mission of protecting and sustainably developing the country in the new era; towards the aspiration that our country will "step up to the stage of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents" in the 21st century, which is also the burning desire of our entire nation and fulfills the wish of the great President Ho Chi Minh./.

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(1) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2001, vol. 7, p. 25
(2) Complete Party Documents , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2000, vol. 6, p. 222
(3) See: Prof. Dr. To Lam: "Continuing to strongly innovate the Party's leadership and governing methods - Urgent requirements of the new revolutionary stage", Communist Magazine , No. 1,046 (September 2024), pp. 18-19
(4) See: Nguyen Quoc Thai: "Theory on the path of innovation and market economic development - Core values ​​and contents that need to be further supplemented and improved", Electronic Communist Magazine , July 31, 2023, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/kinh-te/-/2018/827698/ly-luan-ve-duong-loi-doi-moi%2C-phat-trien-kinh-te-thi-truong----nhung-gia-tri-cot-loi-va-nhung-noi-dung-can-tiep-tuc-bo-sung%2C-hoan-thien.aspx
(5) See: Le Huu Nghia: “Foundation, potential, position, prestige, and combined strength of the nation and people after nearly 35 years of renovation”, Electronic Communist Magazine , October 20, 2020, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/gop-y-du-thao-cac-van-kien-trinh-dai-hoi-xiii-cua-dang/-/2018/820121/co-do%2C-tiem-luc%2C-vi-the%2C-uy-tin%2C-suc-manh-tong-hop-cua-quoc-gia---dan-toc-sau-gan-35-nam-doi-moi.aspx
(6) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2021, vol. II, p. 322
(7) See: Party documents   Complete Works, ibid ., 2004, vol. 7, pp. 504 - 505
(8) Complete Party Documents , ibid., 2006, vol. 47, p. 807
(9) Nguyen Phu Trong: "Some issues on military guidelines and national defense strategies in the cause of protecting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new era", National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2023, p. 174
(10) Documents of the Congresses in the renovation period - Part II (Congresses 10, 11, 12) , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2019 , p. 398
(11) See: Hoang Phuc Lam: "Perfecting the orientation to protect the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the new situation", Electronic Communist Magazine , June 1, 2023 , https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/media-story/-asset_publisher/V8hhp4dK31Gf/content/hoan-thien-dinh-huong-bao-ve-to-quoc-viet-nam-xa-hoi-chu-nghia-trong-tinh-hinh-moi
(12) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates , op. cit ., vol. I, pp. 155 - 156
(13) Prof. Dr. To Lam: "Some basic perceptions about the new era, the era of national rise", Communist Magazine, No. 1,050 (November 2024), p. 3
(14) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, Ibid ., vol. 5, p. 301
(15) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 109
(16) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, op. cit., vol. 5, p. 333
(17) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates, op. cit ., vol. I, p. 8
(18) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates,   Ibid., vol. I, pp. 110 - 111
(19) See: Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW, dated October 25, 2021, of the Central Executive Committee, "On promoting Party building and rectification and the political system; resolutely preventing, repelling, and strictly handling cadres and Party members who have degraded in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, and manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation""
(20) Documents of the 13th National Congress of Delegates , op. cit ., vol. I, p. 180

Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/chinh-tri-xay-dung-dang/-/2018/1074003/kien-dinh-duong-loi-doi-moi%2C-day-manh-toan-dien-va-dong-bo-cong-cuoc-doi-moi%2C-huong-toi-xay-dung-dat-nuoc-phat-trien-nhanh-va-ben-vung.aspx