VietNamNet Bridge – The nation needs a common way to unite all patriotic Vietnamese at home and abroad, and to inspire people to confront the threats to the country’s peace and development.

In these difficult days, Vietnamese have demonstrated their patriotism in the struggle against China’s illegal activities in the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam. However, this struggle requires patience and persistence to bring an end to China’s infringements. Sound minds are the key to defending the country’s territorial integrity, and to maintaining peace in the country and the region.

Only peaceful actions can keep peace

Vietnamese people demonstrated in HCM City to protest China's violation of Vietnam's waters.

In the short term, the Government must struggle against China’s illegal acts on all fronts, to resolutely force China to remove its drilling rig from Vietnam’s waters. Vietnam understands that only peaceful actions can keep peace. Moreover, the principle of dialogue and resolving disputes through diplomatic channels is also essential to garnering the support and cooperation of all nations having interests in the maintenance of freedom and security of navigation.

Furthermore, the people of Vietnam should clearly identify the message that they want to send out to the people around the world: “Peace for the East Sea”. Ultimately, whether Chinese or Vietnam, we all love peace and oppose those aggressive behaviors that threaten peace.

Vietnam needs a reform roadmap for developing internal resources

In the long run, Vietnam should have a roadmap for reforms like it did with Doi Moi (renovation) in 1986, focusing on the goal of building a country based on independence, democracy, freedom and peace. This roadmap should focus on reviving internal resources, the spirit of patriotism, and solidarity with the people of other countries.

This reform roadmap should become the driving force for the entire people of Vietnam to unite to overcome our short-term difficulties and look ahead towards the long-term goals. It would also serve as the foundation for international friends to support Vietnam in the cause of developing and defending the country.

First, Vietnam should inspire the wisdom of people in all walks of life, creating a new impetus for the rise of the nation. To do this, we urgently need to implement the 2013 Constitution; build laws to promote and protect the freedom of people in cultural, scientific and artistic activities; create an environment for the people to practice democracy; show respect for differences and support human rights. This is the ground for national unity and for attracting the support of international friends.

Secondly, Vietnam needs to accelerate economic reforms toward building a market economy. The restructuring of state-owned enterprises must be promoted and accelerated to enhance their competitiveness. Policies must be adjusted to ensure that private businesses have access to capital, science, technology, and markets in a way that allows them to compete on a level playing field with state-owned firms. Vietnamese firms also need to find sources of materials from ASEAN countries.

More importantly, Vietnam needs to continue negotiation and participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement as a motivation to reform the economy and avoid excessive dependence on other countries.

Thirdly, Vietnam needs to implement its foreign policy towards substantive development, with national interest as the measure. To achieve this, besides maintaining peaceful relations with China, Vietnam needs to develop deeper economic, social and political relations with ASEAN countries, along with Europe, the Americas, Japan, Australia and South Korea.

The difficulties ahead are enormous. They can only be resolved with the consensus of the whole nation. More than ever, Vietnam needs a reform roadmap for further development. A roadmap for reform in 5 or 10 years will be the common way to unite all Vietnamese people at home and abroad.

Le Quang Binh