Politicians are the most senior and also the most important component, the core part of the political system because they are the people who guide the way, lead the nation and the country. Their duties are to build the platform, to formulate policies, strategies of the Party and the law of the State. They hold high-ranking positions in the Party, the State, and the Government.

Outstanding leadership is an essential capacity of politicians, who are required to not only have a local or national vision and capacity but also have a vision and capacity to operate at a regional and global level, the capacity to cooperate and work effectively with international and foreign organizations to bring the best benefit to the country.

The essential qualities they need are a spirit of national development, spirit of innovation, burning national aspirations, responsibility for the people. Also, qualities that show they dare to think, dare to act, pioneer in the flow of times, win the hearts of people, and lead the people and the country to develop under the trajectory of innovation and creativity.

They need to have strong political bravery, and not be corrupted by temptation from the negative side of the market mechanism and international integration. They must be clean, admired by the people, must have attractive public image, and be appealing to the masses.

Running for election is an appropriate mechanism to select talented politicians. It is necessary to expand the scope of subjects for election and to design an open mechanism to choose the most suitable and most talented politicians.

There is a need to build a database of resources of talented politicians, allowing all people in the country as well as overseas Vietnamese to register to participate if they meet the criteria.

National examinations to select talented civil servants

The head of the Central Organization Committee Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the three candidates who were selected for the position of department head by exams, held for the first time in October 2017.

The essential qualities of civil servants are the spirit of serving people and businesses, professionalism, and responsibility. They also need integrity and purity, and should not tolerate temptation and negativity.

The mechanism for recruiting talented civil servants is strict and competitive with open national examinations. This mechanism allows anyone to participate if they meet the criteria and the exam results are the only criteria for admission.

Information about the exams must be made public long enough for many people to know and contestants have enough time to prepare thoroughly. The information on the qualifications for choosing civil servants and when the best candidates are selected must be transparent.

This mechanism not only recruits the best individuals but also allows those who pass the fierce exams to be proud of their job. Therefore, they will be more responsible for their job.

At the same time, this mechanism prevents useless people from entering the state apparatus. Therefore, there should be a regulation on the minimum percentage of civil servants recruited by this mechanism.

Building and promoting the image of talented public officers

Delegates attending the 12th National Party Congress, January 2016. Photo: Pham Hai

There needs to be a breakthrough salary policy to ensure that talented officers can live well with their salaries and thus can work wholeheartedly and devote themselves to the prosperity of the country.

Talented officials cannot be wholeheartedly and fully engaged in their work when they have to seek to make a living. Moreover, they cannot be proud when their salary is not enough to support themselves, let alone care for their families. Also, they cannot be proud when having to find ways to make money from their position.

It is needed to develop leadership, management and administration capability, and an ability to handle practical situations in order to improve practical capacity and to adapt to rapid changes in the world. Training in foreign languages, especially English, and international negotiation and presentation skills are also needed to meet the country’s international integration requirements.

Talented personnel must be trained and infused with the spirit of national development, burning aspirations, and pride to join a team of talented officials to serve the country and contribute to creating rapid development so that Vietnam can quickly catch up with developed countries.

Talented officers must be given the best conditions to achieve success, serve the country and enjoy worthy rewards, but they should not become arrogant or too self-confident. They should have the spirit of sharing, and sense of duties and responsibilities, and not only try to improve their own capacity to successfully complete tasks but share and help others to achieve success.

It is necessary to conduct social activities to promote the noble image of talented officers, and present prestigious awards and noble titles to honor and enhance the social status of talented officers and society's respect for talented officers.

This will attract outstanding individuals pursuing careers to become talented officers rather than working for foreign enterprises because they have pride and aspirations to contribute to the development of the country.

Conclusion

Vietnam is facing a new development opportunity. We have the conditions to make the "Miracle of the Red River". The country’s population of over 100 million is the 15th largest in the world, which is in a golden age with 70% of people under 35 years old. The geographic location is favorable, which is even more meaningful in the Asian Century. Vietnam does not lack talented people, as it has hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese scientists, experts and engineers who are living and working in developed countries.

Doi Moi (renovation) has brought about unprecedented opportunities. In addition, the country’s spectacular success in controlling the Covid-19 epidemic has created a position and momentum, motivation and belief for the entire nation to realize the dream of transforming into a dragon, standing shoulder to shoulder with other powerful countries in the world.

Obviously, this is the best opportunity for all Vietnamese people to join hands to realize the dream of transforming into an Asian dragon and we cannot miss it.

Dr. Pham Manh Hung (Institute of World Economics and Politics)

The need for talented people

The 13th Party Congress is an important milestone, which sets the future orientation, continues to accelerate the process of national renovation and international integration.