Integration for national development

Q: On the threshold of the New Year 2016, could you brief us on socio-economic developments in the past year?

A: 2015, the final year of the country’s five-year plan (2011-2015), was considered a very difficult year, both domestically and regionally. However, with the joint efforts of the entire Party, people and army, Vietnam still recorded positive results in socio-economic development with a high economic growth rate and macroeconomic stability. Economic potential of the country has been increasing. Efforts have been remarkable and will pave the way for 2016 and subsequent years.

In 2015, Vietnam also signed a series of free trade agreements bilaterally and multilaterally. From these agreements, the market will expand more, and Vietnam is now able to mobilise more resources as well access more advanced technologies. But there are still challenges for the business community in particular, and the Vietnamese economy in general. There must be an extraordinary effort to take full advantage of new opportunities and overcome the challenges of the next five year plan while 2016 has already begun.

Q: Vietnam has signed a series of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs). Is it true that the country has entered into even more fierce competition?

A: That’s right. Looking back to the period prior to the renewal process, we saw a closed and isolated economy with no integration, that could not develop. Since then, the Party and the State have set out the guideline and policy on renewal, and international integration to develop the national economy. But integration requires competition. When signing FTAs agreements with strict criteria, we certainly have to accept competition at a higher level. After 30 years of Doi Moi (reform), today, with the strength of the country, the experience of leadership and administration of the Party and the State, and the growth of Vietnamese entrepreneurs, I am convinced that our country's integration cause in the new period will see fruitful results.

We must stand on our own feet

Q: Opportunities have often come and gone very quickly. If we want to grasp the opportunity, we must have a professional state apparatus and act quickly. What should we do to have a state apparatus that can meet the increasing requirements?

A: During the integration process, in addition to enterprises, which are considered directly in the intense competition, state apparatus at all levels are playing a no less important role. The competence, quality and working style of the public servants must be raised. The interaction between the state apparatus at all levels and entrepreneurs is very important. What worries us most now is that the competitiveness of Vietnamese products is still very low compared to other countries in the region and the world. With new criteria in the integration process, challenges are even greater. It is essential to enhance the competitiveness of products, businesses and the whole economy. Along with the efforts made by enterprises, the State's responsibility is huge. Recently, Vietnam has done relatively well in institutional innovation. There are also positive results in human resources training, however, some shortcomings remain. We must continue to promote the improvement, effectiveness, and efficiency of the State management, to meet the requirements of trade liberalisation and deeper integration of the country.

Q: What should we do in the next five years to mobilise resources to meet development needs?

A: In order to develop the country in the context of integration, there should be close co-ordination between domestic and foreign resources, in which domestic resources are decisive, and external resources are extremely important. Integration must be implemented on the basis of economic independence. We must stand on our own feet.

In fact, recently, there has been a rapid rise in external resources while domestic resources have witnessed slow growth. However, this is not because there is a lack of domestic resources. Domestic resources are very large and are untapped. The National Assembly has recently adopted laws requiring ministries and sectors to promote business freedom as well as create favourable conditions for businesses. Almost all developed countries rely on their own domestic resources. External borrowing is also intended to supplement and exploit internal resources.

The ability to attract external resources is also very large. In the coming time, the ODA and FDI may still increase, but we must not all depend on it. After the 2017-2018 period, the ODA loan interest rate will be completely different because Vietnam will have become a middle income country and will have to accept higher interest rates. Borrowing is necessary, but it is not easy to pay. The ability to attract foreign investment is very large, however, it must be selective and foreign investment should promote the economic restructuring process of the country.

Corruption and waste must be prevented

Q: Is it true that one of the basic adjustments to adapt to the changes in resources is anti-wastefulness and practicing thrift?

A: Yes. Together with the requirement of resource mobilisation, the fight against corruption and wastefulness, and practising thrift is also advocated and a consistent action of all sectors and levels. Corruption and wastefulness reduce investment efficiency, work quality and the people's trust in the Party and State. We worry that corruption and waste still exist, and we must be determined to help Vietnam out of the list of countries with a high corruption rate. All resources should receive due attention with strict management, and used in an efficient manner. More efforts should be made to combat corruption and wastefulness.

Q: Concerning corruption and wastefulness among officials in the State apparatus, what are the measures in place to prevent degradation and improve staff quality to meet the requirements in this new stage of national development?

A: Facing the deterioration of a part of officials and members in the Party and State apparatus, the Party has a lot of measures to fight, with the most important ones concentrating on Resolutions at the Party Central Committee's (11th tenure) 4th meeting on some urgent issues in Party building. The Resolutions was enjoyed and appreciated by the entire Party, people and army and they put high expectations on implementing the Resolution’s goals.

To make such negatives no longer exist, all sectors, branches, officials, Party members, especially those who are heads of Party committees, State organisations, and government agencies, and all people must resolutely implement comprehensive and continuous measures set in the Resolution. I firmly believe that, despite how difficult it is, if the whole Party and people, with great determination and persistence, continuously perform the tasks then certainly we will win.

Q: With the role of a ruling Party, the Party selects cadres for the State apparatus, but when problems arise, who will take responsibility: individuals or collectives?

A: Frankly, both concerned collectives and individuals must take responsibility. But now, at department and sector levels, corporate responsibility is generally clear, while personal responsibility is not clear. This is true not only in personnel work - many other fields are also the same. Besides positive achievements in various fields, the field of personnel management also reveals shortcomings and deficiencies, yet personal responsibility is uncertain, resulting in pressing issues in the society and on National Assembly discussions.

Currently, Party resolutions and State laws are also abundant and various in forms; Vietnam’s institutional system is much more complete compared with that of more than 30 years ago. The current restriction is the provision on personal responsibility still incomplete in the Party's policies and the State’s laws and regulations, so that if something wrong happens, it is not easy to define personal responsibility. Some management agencies have dodged and underestimated officials. It is important to correct it and to strictly implement the regulations as issued.

Firmly developing the country to defend territorial sovereignty

Q: As Vietnam is facing challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity, what factors will help us overcome the challenges?

A: As a nation of over 90 million, during our long history, the whole nation has been unanimously a great unity bloc, working to defeat enemies. The great national unity bloc - the country’s internal resource - is a foundation of strength for us to defend the Fatherland. Today, in the era of globalisation, Vietnam wants to be friends with all countries in the international community for peace, co-operation and development; the more friends we have, the more support of the international community for Doi Moi and national construction and defence. This is a great strength for us to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Progressing towards this direction, making more friends and fewer enemies, closing the past, and looking forwards to the future, surely the world's support for Vietnam will be increased. At the same time, as the country is growing strong and stable, and the internal resource is strengthened, we will have the strength to overcome any challenge and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Q: Could you make clear the position of Vietnam in the international arena nowadays?

A: In the context of the world and the region witnessing complex developments, Vietnam has remained stable and has developed as a safe destination for investors, thanks to the results of 30 years of renovation. More broadly, it is the result of our people's revolution under the Party leadership.

Through proper direction, especially with the renovation process, domestic resources have been facilitated, and the mobilisation of external support has assisted the economic growth, generating political and social stability. From a underdeveloped country, Vietnam has become a middle-income nation and has been praised by the international community for its achievements. At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 that I attended, I met many delegates who shared the same assessments. Its achievements and judicious foreign policies of diversification and multilateralisation, wanting to be a reliable friend and partner of the international community, for peace, co-operation and development, and responsibly participating in regional and global common issues, have helped enhance the role and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

Q: As a new year is approaching, do you have any messages to share with people across the country?

A: The year 2016 is a pivotal year between two terms of the Party Congress, the National Assembly and the Government, and also the transition between the two five-year plans for 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. In 2016 and the next five years, favourable conditions will increase, but there are still big difficulties and challenges, requiring the entire Party, people and army to strive more, comprehensively pushing forwards the renovation process and rapid sustainable socio-economic development, strengthening national defence and security, improving the efficiency of international integration, building a clean and strong Party, and improving effectiveness and efficiency of State management commensurate with the extensive integration period, while continuing to improve the lives and rights of the people. In particular, we should focus on improving the efficient use of resources and competitiveness of enterprises and the economy, stepping up the fight to prevent and repel corruption and wastefulness, and strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the State as is shown in the related documents of the upcoming 12th National Party Congress.

As a new year is coming, I wish all the people, comrades and soldiers throughout the country, as well as Vietnamese living abroad, to unite as one, bringing all intelligence, strength and ability to contribute to the successful implementation of the national renovation, to steadily build and defend our beloved Fatherland in the new period.

Q: Thank you very much.