In the long term, strategic autonomy cannot be achieved without strengthening technological capacity. Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) must become the main drivers of growth.

On the afternoon of March 25, 2026, at the Party Central Committee headquarters, General Secretary To Lam delivered the closing remarks at the second plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, conveying a strong message of action, strategic vision and political determination to guide the country into a new phase of development.

Built on the foundation of the “four steadfast principles” in politics and ideology, the goal of double-digit growth has been set alongside requirements for quality, sustainability and social equity, while pushing for strong reforms of the local government model toward greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The speech not only established guiding principles for development, but also signaled a clear political resolve: shifting from a focus on growth targets to a disciplined, responsible and future-oriented growth model. VietNamNet respectfully introduces a series of commentaries in response.

In a world marked by uncertainty, where supply chains are frequently disrupted, geopolitical competition intensifies and technology becomes a tool of power, the concept of “strategic autonomy” has become a vital requirement for economies. General Secretary To Lam concluded at the second plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee: Strategic autonomy - steadfast in the two centennial goals - united, determined and resolute for the people’s prosperous and happy life.

Strategic autonomy: Avoiding passive dependence

At its core, strategic autonomy is not about self-sufficiency or reducing integration. It is a country’s ability to make independent decisions on key development choices, maintain stability and safeguard national interests even amid external shocks.

An economy with strategic autonomy is not one that is free from dependence, but one that does not depend passively. This is reflected in three core capabilities: avoiding systemic reliance on a single market or resource; maintaining substitution capacity when conditions change; and preserving long-term policy space.

In today’s global context, economic autonomy is closely tied to supply chains. However, supply chain autonomy does not mean producing everything domestically. It requires identifying strategic bottlenecks, diversifying sources of supply and upgrading positions within value chains.

An open but vulnerable economy

Vietnam is among the most open economies in the world, with total trade turnover far exceeding GDP. Deep integration has enabled impressive growth over many years. However, this high degree of external dependence also makes the economy sensitive to shocks.

A notable feature is the dominance of the foreign direct investment (FDI) sector. It plays a leading role in exports and manufacturing, while occupying a central position in global value chains involving Vietnam. Domestic enterprises largely operate in low value-added segments, with limited linkages to FDI.

As a result, a significant portion of growth drivers depends on decisions made by multinational corporations - actors not directly governed by domestic policy.

At the same time, Vietnam’s current growth model relies heavily on bank credit, with a high credit-to-GDP ratio. The issue lies not only in scale but also in allocation. A large share of credit flows into real estate and rent-seeking activities, while production, technology, research and development sectors face difficulties accessing capital.

A shift in mindset: From growth to capability

To enhance strategic autonomy, the first essential step is to change the development mindset. Instead of chasing short-term growth, the focus should shift toward growth quality, productivity and endogenous capacity.

Substantive reforms are needed to improve the efficiency of resource allocation. Evaluation criteria should move from quantity to quality, from scale to effectiveness.

Integration also needs to be redefined. In earlier stages, integration was synonymous with growth. In the current context, integration is primarily about maintaining markets, protecting positions and expanding strategic options. Growth becomes a consequence, not the direct objective.

Institutional breakthroughs and resource allocation

One of the most critical breakthroughs lies in institutional reform, particularly in improving the business environment. Meaningful reduction of barriers, simplification of procedures and lowering compliance costs will not only support enterprise development but also lay the foundation for productivity gains.

At the same time, the approach to resource allocation must be fundamentally reformed. In credit, there should be a shift from collateral-based lending, largely tied to real estate, to assessments based on cash flow and project efficiency, while improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Regarding land, the mindset must change from viewing land as a store of wealth to treating it as a production input. Land taxation, anti-speculation measures and greater transparency in planning can redirect resources from speculation to productive use, thereby improving efficiency.

Science, technology and AI: New growth drivers

In the long term, strategic autonomy cannot be achieved without stronger technological capability. Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence must serve as the main engines of growth.

The key lies in bringing technology into real production and business activities, with enterprises at the center of innovation. AI, with its capacity to automate knowledge and optimize decision-making, can create significant productivity gains if widely applied.

At the same time, it is essential to develop data infrastructure, build data markets and train an appropriate workforce. Without data and human resources, digital transformation and AI will remain slogans rather than reality.

FDI enterprises

FDI will continue to play an important role, but the approach needs to evolve. Instead of attracting investment at all costs, Vietnam can move toward selective attraction tied to strengthening domestic capacity.

Evaluation criteria for FDI should focus on the ability to generate new capabilities, the level of linkage with domestic enterprises and contributions to strategic autonomy. Projects that fail to meet these criteria, regardless of scale, should not be prioritized.

Conclusion: Autonomy starts from within

In a world of constant change, integration is no longer a guaranteed path to growth but a tool to sustain development capacity. Strategic autonomy means integrating proactively and strategically.

Ultimately, the decisive factor is internal strength. An economy can only achieve autonomy when it is supported by effective institutions, strong enterprises and enhanced technological capacity. Without addressing this core challenge, the benefits of integration will remain temporary.

Conversely, if Vietnam can seize the current moment to adjust its development model, it will not only reduce vulnerability but also position itself to rise within a rapidly reshaping global economic order.

Nguyen Dinh Cung