Vietnam today is ten times more beautiful. This was Ho Chi Minh’s dream when the country won its independence 70 years ago and the new republic was founded.
Since September 2, 1945, Vietnam has set out on a new path, leaving behind the bloody memories of a harsh and prolonged war which devastated the country.
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of this event, Granma spoke with Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Cuba, Duong Minh, who described how the country has changed and the new challenges it faces.
“We Vietnamese feel proud to have fulfilled the desire of our supreme leader, and now we want to build a county 50 or 100 times more beautiful and prosperous,” he commented.
After recalling the painful memories and actions of the people during the country’s struggle for independence, the diplomat noted that Vietnam will soon be celebrating 30 years since the implementation of the Renovation policy (Doi Moi), a vital step that contributed to the nation’s economic growth.
The ambassador emphasized that the policy was responsible for the social and economic achievements the country currently enjoys.
Over these years, the Vietnamese economy has experienced a sustained growth rate of 7%, industry has been diversified, and the nation has established itself as a leading competitor in the global market, he explained.
“We have gone from being a rice importing country to the world’s second largest exporter. What is more, Vietnam is among the top exporters of agricultural and industry products, the country’s biggest sources of revenue,” he highlighted.
The renovation plan launched by the Party and government has also focused on diversifying the economy. The country has successfully inserted itself in the telecommunications market as well as that of coffee, rubber, textiles and footwear exports, according to Ambassador Minh.
“In particular, the sale and manufacture of cell phones and their components contributed 26 million dollars to the national economy last year.”
He stated that economic development is only one part of the Renovation process. Solving society’s problems is also an important issue for the government.
“The people’s quality of life greatly improved in comparison to when the Doi Moi was initially implemented, we Vietnamese now enjoy full access to public health, education, work, housing, transport and other aspects of social life which have been resolved over recent years,” he noted.
A FRIEND TO THE WORLD
The ambassador highlighted that the country’s international policy has been modified through the Communist Party of Vietnam congresses.
Since 1991, after the disappearance of the Soviet Union and the fall of the socialist camp, it became necessary to diversify and multi-lateralize foreign relations. From that moment on Vietnam defined itself as a friend to all peoples of the world.
“The agreements adopted during successive Communist Party congresses resulted in comprehensive international integration, not only in the economic sphere, but also in regards to policies, education, culture, defense and security,” he added.
According to Minh, through the implementation of this policy the country has, to date, established and maintained diplomatic relations with the majority of the world’s nations.
“We participate with initiatives in all the organizations and worldwide economic treaties, as well as in cooperation structures with Asia, Europe and Latin America.”
He made special reference to Vietnam’s role as one of the most important members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); highlighting his country’s efforts to strengthen unity among members, including among the group of ambassadors here in Cuba.
Given the organization’s regional and global importance, we will soon found what will be the ASEAN Community, confident of the transcendental role it will play in the development of our countries and contribution it will make to global peace, security, democracy and social progress, he stated.
ASEAN, he noted, participates in other associated international mechanisms such as summits with the European Union, United States, Russia, China and Japan.
CUBA AND VIETNAM MORE THAN FRIENDS, SISTERS
This December will see the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations.
For Minh, these ties are based on fraternity and solidarity, first expressed in a story by José Martí called Un paseo por la tierra de los anamitas.
“Relations between Cuba and Vietnam, recognized internationally, have been nurtured and strengthened by various generations of leaders from both countries, especially Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro,” he stated.
For Vietnamese, Cuba is a second homeland. Our ties have been forged out of the shared struggle for the independence of both our peoples, he noted.
The ambassador highlighted the willingness of both governments to raise economic cooperation to the same high level of the political understanding the two countries share, with the implementation of joint cooperation projects.
One of the most important initiatives is rice production. With a 14 year trajectory being implemented across all of the country’s provinces, the program aims to increase yields of the grain in order to satisfy national demand, with the added possibility of exporting the product.
He also commented on the interest of the Vietnamese business community in investing in the island, given the country’s new Foreign Investment Law.
Vietnam wants to be one of the first to establish itself in the Mariel Special Development Zone. The country’s businesspeople are interested in areas such as telecommunications, oil exploration and exploitation, hotel construction and associated facilities, as well as factories producing tile, ceramics and medical products, he noted.
The ambassador added that his country imports various Cuban medicines and hopes to build a biotechnology center similar to that which exists on the island.
“We hope to receive help from the island to realize this dream of Vietnamese science,” he highlighted.
Cuba and Vietnam are countries with similar goals, following the same road: toward the construction of a sustainable and prosperous socialism. Our related experiences allow us to offer advice on the most effective way to progress and struggle to achieve our shared goal: our peoples’ happiness, he concluded.
