The new era
"A new starting point" marks a significant time, often defined by key events or shifts in perception and action that create turning points with a profound impact on the nation's development. Examples include Ngo Quyen's victory in 938, King Ly Thai To's decision to move the capital in 1010, the August Revolution of 1945, the success of the Ho Chi Minh campaign on April 30, 1975, or the decision to implement the Doi Moi policy in 1986.
A "new era" refers to a period, often spanning decades, marked by efforts toward certain goals. In modern Vietnamese history, the period from 1930 to 1945 was characterized by the revolutionary struggle for national independence and reunification. Similarly, the period from 1986 to the present has been marked by efforts for socio-economic reform and proactive international integration.
In this sense, the phrase "new era" refers to the upcoming future, when the goals of the current period have been, or are close to being, achieved.
After nearly 40 years of implementing reform policies, Vietnam has achieved undeniable successes in economic, social, and diplomatic fields, elevating the country to a new position. Therefore, 2021 can be considered a new starting point for the nation, as the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam set strategic goals: by 2030, Vietnam aims to join the group of upper-middle-income countries, and by 2045, the goal is to become a developed nation.
This means that the next two decades, from 2021 to 2045, mark a new era, the era of Vietnam’s rise. This period is referred to as the nation's rising era because, under the leadership of the Party, the revolutionary struggle from the early 20th century and the country’s development since 1975 have established solid foundations. As a result, Vietnam can now confidently set higher-level goals, no longer focusing solely on establishing initial foundations.
To lead Vietnam into a new era, the Party remains steadfast in its core values that guide the nation's development: "A prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, justice, and civilization." Since the 11th Party Congress, three strategic breakthrough priorities have been identified: institutions, human resources, and infrastructure. These three priorities represent tangible forces, which will inevitably face limitations in terms of their capacity for change and effectiveness.
This reality suggests that the vision for leading the country towards 2045 cannot be achieved without spiritual pillars and driving forces. Spiritual motivation and national unity will be essential in overcoming challenges and harnessing the material strengths of these priorities to reach the nation's long-term goals.
Spirit as a driving force
Looking at the history of nations that have successfully made breakthroughs to create new historical starting points and lead their people into a new era, the critical role of the spirit becomes evident. This driving force not only fosters stronger unity and determination but also enables people to transcend material limitations and overcome even life-threatening challenges.
At the end of the 18th century, despite facing the vastly superior British Empire, the intense desire and determination for independence among the American people led to the success of the American Revolution, ending their colonial status and forming a modern nation-state.
In the early 1940s, it was precisely the deep spiritual strength that empowered the Soviet people to halt the overwhelming advance of fascist forces, thereby changing the course of World War II.
In East Asia, from the late 19th century, the awareness of national dignity and status prompted the Japanese to commit to reforms and national revitalization, avoiding the risk of subjugation by Western powers and the U.S. Similarly, South Korea emerged from the ashes of war to become one of Asia’s leading developed countries in just a few decades in the 20th century. Meanwhile, since the late 1970s, China has patiently accumulated resources and waited for the opportunity to rise with its "Chinese Dream," competing on equal footing with the world's superpowers today.
What these nations have achieved is a testament to the power of "national spirit," a collective psychological and spiritual state. National spirit is shaped and nurtured over time by the character, will, and temperament of groups who share a common culture, language, psychology, history, and traditions, along with both glorious achievements and tragic outcomes in their developmental journey.
As a psychological and spiritual state, national spirit exists as an idea. It can be imagined, felt, and sensed, but it cannot be physically observed or described. What we can see, both in the past and present, are the concrete manifestations that evoke this spirit, rather than the spirit itself in its complete mental-spiritual form.
A common factor in the breakthrough successes of many nations is the awakening of their national spirit, particularly in different contexts. This sense of national pride and self-respect not only provides a strong foundation but also serves as a driving force for efforts to break through limitations, raising the nation's status on the global stage.
The national spirit of Vietnam
Vietnam's history of nation-building and defense has forged a unique national spirit, characterized by intense patriotism, national pride, courage, and unwavering determination for independence. This spirit is deeply ingrained in Vietnam’s heroic past, symbolized by figures such as the Trung Sisters, Lady Trieu, Ngo Quyen, Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, and Quang Trung.
The national spirit has also been preserved and nurtured through powerful expressions of resolve and bravery, such as Lady Trieu's vow to "ride the strong winds, trample the roaring waves, slash the orca in the East Sea, and drive the invaders away to reclaim our country." Tran Binh Trong's defiant declaration, "I would rather die as a ghost of Vietnam than live as a king of the North," and Tran Hung Dao's iconic words, "If His Majesty wishes to surrender, cut off my head first," are emblematic of Vietnam's tenacious spirit.
In the 20th century, revolutionary fighters who endured imprisonment and sacrificed their lives for noble causes further enriched this national spirit. President Ho Chi Minh's timeless statement, "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," stands as an eternal declaration of Vietnam's resolve. Other figures like Tran Phu, Le Hong Phong, Ha Huy Tap, Nguyen Van Cu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, and Nguyen Thai Hoc, alongside their comrades, left indelible marks on the nation's legacy. More recently, former General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's reflection, "Honor is the most sacred and noble thing," reinforces this enduring spirit.
Both domestic and international history demonstrate that national spirit can serve as a powerful driving force, enabling individuals and groups with diverse interests to transcend selfish considerations and unite for the common good of the nation. Therefore, Vietnam's ability to rise in the new era largely depends on whether we can unlock and awaken this national spirit. The question is whether we can harness this spiritual energy and transform it into a force that drives the country toward its development goals by 2045.
Recognizing the power of the spiritual factor, recent Party Congresses have consistently emphasized the need to ignite "patriotism, national resilience, the strength of national unity, and the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation."
However, the journey from policy to the actual formation and spread of national spirit requires specific conditions. The most important and decisive factor is the collective need that manifests in national goals, alongside a team of political leaders with a burning desire to revitalize the country and elevate its position.
To lead the country into the new era, the Communist Party of Vietnam has been bold and correct in publicly declaring a political commitment to the people: to transform Vietnam into a developed nation by 2045. This national development goal over the next two decades reflects the collective aspiration of the vast majority of Vietnamese people today.
To awaken the national spirit, the next requirement is for political leaders to remain steadfast and absolutely loyal to the nation's development goals, rising above ordinary thinking and behavior.
When political leaders deeply understand the nation's interests and consistently align their thinking, speech, and actions, they will inspire and spread the national spirit to social forces. This, in turn, transforms the comprehensive strength of the nation, both material and spiritual, into momentum for realizing the national development goals.
Nguyen Van Dang
Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy
Vietnamnet.vn
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