14th Party Congress - "Pursuant Congress" opens a new era

The 6th Party Congress (in 1986) opened a "bottleneck" for Vietnam's foreign policy. This is an extremely important breakthrough that has created favorable international conditions to support the renovation process to carry out the country's strategic tasks. 40 years later, the 14th Party Congress is a "Purpose Congress" expected to open a new era to bring Vietnam "the Saints of the five continents" as Mr. Ho wished.

That was the affirmation of former member of the Party Central Committee, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Ly Nien in an interview with Nhan Dan Newspaper reporters about Vietnam's 40-year achievements in Doi Moi.

40 years of Doi Moi - Long and certain steps in economy and diplomacy

Reporter: It can be said that the 6th National Party Congress (in 1986) has opened a "bottleneck" for Vietnam's foreign policy. As a person directly involved in foreign affairs activities to gradually integrate Vietnam into the international community, can you share the important milestones in the early stages of Vietnam's foreign affairs when we carried out the renovation process?

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien: Looking back at the 40-year process of Vietnam implementing innovation, we have taken very long and steady steps in both the economic and diplomatic fields. The 6th National Party Congress (in 1986) took place in the context of a domestic economic crisis, a difficult social situation, and the need for change. From that reality, our Party has made a wise decision to carry out the Doi Moi process.

At that time, the extremely complex world situation in the Soviet Union and Eastern European socialist countries caused many disadvantages. In that context, Vietnam has made accurate and timely decisions to avoid unfavorable risks to the country.

Thanks to the Party's correct policies, after only 1-2 years of implementing the renovation process, from a country "located on rice warehouses but hungry, on coal piles but cold", Vietnam's economy has gradually recovered, people have enough food to eat, clothes to wear and started exporting rice.

Regarding foreign affairs, it can be said that the 6th National Party Congress (in 1986) opened a "bottleneck" for Vietnam's foreign policy. Although at that time, thinking had to change step by step, those who conducted direct dialogue saw it as an opportunity.

However, in the context of being surrounded by embargoes and isolated in terms of politics and diplomacy, we really need the efforts of the entire Party, people and army as well as the synchronization and support of all levels and sectors in implementing foreign policies in the early stages of the renovation process.

The Resolution of the 6th Congress and the Resolutions of the Central Committee have shifted diplomatic policies, the policy of promoting and expanding relations with all countries in the world, regardless of difference in socio-political regimes, implementing policies of friendship, cooperation, and peaceful existence for development, in line with the interests of our people and the general development trend of the world.

Looking back at the first stage of the renovation process launched by our Party starting from the 6th Congress, we can see that it is a completely correct policy.

Implementing the open foreign policy according to the new thinking, Vietnamese diplomacy has collaborated with friends and progressive forces around the world to handle and resolve relations with neighboring countries.

We have normalized relations with China 1991), with the US 1995), joined ASEAN (1995), joined ASEM (Asia Summit) in 1996, APEC (November 1998), and in the field of economic diplomacy, we have signed many bilateral and multilateral economic agreements with other countries.

This is an extremely important diplomatic breakthrough, creating favorable international conditions for economic innovation to carry out strategic tasks.

In my career as a diplomatic worker, I have always focused on cultural diplomacy activities

Reporter: Cultural diplomacy is considered a "soft power", "soft power" in protecting national interests, enhancing position in the international arena. So how do you evaluate the role of cultural diplomacy, contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to the world; at the same time, absorbing human culture to enrich the country's culture?

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien: Right from the initiation of the renovation road, our Party and State have identified cultural diplomacy as one of the three pillars of comprehensive diplomacy, along with politics and economics.

In fact, these three fields are closely linked and complement each other, in which culture is both a foundation and a catalyst for political and economic diplomacy to promote efficiency.

Over the past decades, cultural diplomacy has made the world better aware of the country, culture and people, increased the building of trust with countries around the world, brought the relationship between Vietnam and its partners into depth, stability and sustainability, thereby enhancing the country's position in the international arena, creating conditions to support socio-economic development. Along with that, cultural exchange activities contribute to absorbing the cultural quintessence of humanity, enriching and deepening the traditional cultural values of the country.

In my career as a diplomatic career, I have always focused on cultural diplomacy activities because Vietnam has a rich culture that is not inferior to any country in the world.

Before taking on the position of Foreign Minister (from February 2000 to June 2006), I spent 13 years as Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO. During this time, with the efforts and coordination of relevant agencies, for the first time, Vietnam's heritages such as the ancient capital of Hue, My Son, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay have been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage.

In the context of the current extensive and comprehensive integration, creating jobs for the international community to understand the country, culture, people and the policies and progress of Vietnam is extremely important, contributing to enhancing the position, image and strength of the national synthesis.

Accordingly, cultural diplomacy needs to be implemented proactively, actively, creatively, and innovatively in the overall foreign affairs and international integration activities, closely following the requirements set by General Secretary To Lam for the diplomatic sector: "Combining culture with diplomacy, culture in diplomacy, making each foreign affairs activity not only have profound cultural content but also become a cultural activity; culture is both a means, a motto, a principle, and a goal of foreign affairs, constantly multiplying national soft power to new heights".

The honor of President Ho Chi Minh is the deepest mark in my diplomatic life

Reporter: In his career as a diplomatic pilot, he left his mark in cultural diplomacy, with activities to honor President Ho Chi Minh abroad and spread Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic ideology. So can you share some memories of the historical event 35 years ago, when UNESCO issued a Resolution to honor "Ho Chi Minh as the Hero of National Liberation, Outstanding Cultural figure of Vietnam"?

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien: It can be said that participating in activities to honor President Ho Chi Minh is the deepest mark in my diplomatic life.

In 1987, I attended the 24th UNESCO General Assembly in Paris, France as the head of the Vietnamese delegation. Also joining the delegation were Ms. Phan Thi Phuc, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Committee, and poet Huy Can, then Deputy Minister of Culture, and a number of other Ambassadors. We participate in the campaign for UNESCO to vote to honor President Ho Chi Minh.

At the time of this event, Vietnam only had diplomatic relations with more than 50 countries. Most of the countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam are strongly opposing Vietnam.

However, the UNESCO General Assembly issued a vote and achieved almost absolute support to honor Uncle Ho. The world's honoring of President Ho Chi Minh is a testament to the soft power, reputation and prestige of the leader and country of Vietnam, a heroic nation.

Resolution 59 marks a historic turning point in the process of international integration

Reporter: Do you have any comments on the Party's guiding viewpoint in Resolution 59 on current international integration and the direction of implementing the goals set out in the Resolution?

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien: In my opinion, the birth of Resolution No. 59 is an important decision, marking a historic turning point in the country's international integration process, identifying integration as a strategic driving force for Vietnam to firmly enter a new era.

After nearly 40 years of renovation and international integration, Vietnam has achieved many outstanding and quite comprehensive achievements, contributing to increasing the strength of the national complex, firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and national and ethnic interests, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; enhancing the country's potential, position and prestige and has shifted from international economic integration to extensive and comprehensive international integration; actively contributing to the common efforts of the international community in responding to global challenges and promoting cooperation for the development of friendship and relations between countries.

Reporting on the main contents of Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, it presented 5 guiding viewpoints on international integration. These viewpoints have been mentioned in previous resolutions, but in Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, there are viewpoints that have been reaffirmed to show that these are the consistent viewpoints of the Party in the process of innovation and integration.

With the effective application of the "Ho Chi Minh diplomatic ideology" in foreign affairs activities, Resolution 59 will be a "golden opportunity", a launching pad for diplomacy; contributing to taking Vietnam firmly forward, entering a new era so that our country can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers as President Ho Chi Minh always wished.

Reporter: Looking back on the 40-year journey of innovation, what do you see as the most important lesson and what is the decisive factor for Vietnam to achieve the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045?

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien: In my opinion, the revolution of streamlining the administrative apparatus and organizing the two-level local government model initiated by our Party, headed by General Secretary To Lam, is being implemented resolutely and is of great significance, helping to change the state from a developing country to a developed country by 2045.

To successfully carry out this revolution, the prerequisite is still to change ideology and thinking, as the Party did 40 years ago. In the context of extensive integration, Vietnam needs to go with humanity, the world, and other countries. However, he also noted the issue of preserving national identity and said that no matter how deeply integrated, he must "keep his identity".

The resolutions and conclusions that the Party has issued in recent times, including 4 Resolutions considered as "The Four pillars" include: Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 of the Politburo on "international integration in the new situation"; Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW on innovation in law-making and enforcement to meet the requirements of national development in the new era; Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025 of the Politburo on private economic development has a great impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

From the initial difficulties of the Doi Moi process to the current position, along with expectations and challenges for the future, I have a deep belief that the 14th National Party Congress is a "Three-Piece Congress" opening a new era, believing in the path that the country is taking and aspiring for a Vietnam "sharing the shoulders with the five continents" as Mr. Ho wished.

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