Party General Secretary To Lam on January 7 stressed the urgent and critical need to transform the country’s development model toward one based on science and technology, alongside the pursuit of double-digit growth in tandem with the establishment of a new growth model.
The Party chief made the emphasis while holding a working session with the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies which sought to discuss orientations for drafting two key resolutions: one on renewing the national development model based on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation; and another on strategic solutions to achieve double-digit growth in association with the establishment of a new growth model.
He said that the drafting of the two resolutions must meet five overarching requirements. They must closely follow and fully institutionalise the viewpoints and goals set out in the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress; adopt a long-term, comprehensive and in-depth vision that transcends short-term interests and term-based thinking; be firmly grounded in Vietnam’s realities rather than mechanically replicating foreign models; ensure strong feasibility and actionability with clear roadmaps, implementation steps and resource allocation; and possess strong mobilising and inspirational power to generate high unity within the Party and political system, broad social consensus, and to ignite the national aspiration to contribute and rise through knowledge and innovation.
On major orientations, the Party chief emphasised that transforming the development model and establishing a new growth model must begin with a fundamental shift in mindset: from extensive growth to intensive growth; from reliance on natural resources and low-skilled labour to knowledge, technology and productivity; from management to development facilitation; and from the State “doing for” to “creating conditions for society and enterprises to innovate.”
He highlighted the need to fully harness the role of all economic sectors, with the State economy playing a guiding and enabling role, while the private sector serves as the most important driving force of the national economy. The General Secretary also called for a proper understanding of the dialectical relationship between stability and development. Rapid growth, he said, must go hand in hand with sustainability, social progress and equity, environmental protection, and improvements in people’s livelihoods. High growth must be built on a foundation of stability, with macroeconomic stability and the maintenance of major economic balances as top priorities.
He underlined that shifting to a development model driven by science and technology is not merely an economic requirement, but a comprehensive strategic issue, contributing to enhancing national performance closely linked to renewing the Party’s leadership and governance methods, improving state management and governance, perfecting institutions, developing human capital, ensuring national defence and security, and enhancing the country’s international standing. This, he affirmed, is an indispensable path to realising the country’s goals set for 2030 and 2045, and building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilised and happy Vietnam.
The Party leader reaffirmed that science, technology, innovation and digital transformation must be clearly identified as the primary drivers of the new development and growth models, and as the most fundamental factors for achieving long-term double-digit growth.
At the same time, people must be recognised as the most important resource, the centre, subject and ultimate goal of development. Advancing science and technology must go hand in hand with the comprehensive development of Vietnamese people endowed with knowledge, mettle, morality and a strong aspiration to devote, he stressed.
General Secretary Lam further emphasised that growth and development must be accompanied by strengthened national strategic autonomy across sectors, reinforced national defence and security, and enhanced economic self-reliance and resilience to proactively respond to external uncertainties. The entire process must be under the comprehensive and direct leadership of the Party, while promoting democracy, social intellect and the creative aspirations of the whole society to build strong consensus and political determination throughout the political system.
He urged the commission to devote maximum time and effort, proactively deepen theoretical research and practical review, boldly renew thinking, confront difficult issues, and mobilise the wisdom of domestic and international experts and scientists to advise the Party Central Committee on truly breakthrough solutions for national development in the coming period.
