In implementation of co-ordinated programme, recently, the Party’s Commission for Science and Education, in co-ordination with the Union of Scientific and Technological Associations held three conferences to collect inputs of contingent of scientists for the draft political report which will be presented at the tenth congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Hundreds of outstanding scientists attended these conferences which were held in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City respectively. We would like to summarise some of their opinions.

Delegates to the three conferences agreed that in general after 20 years of renovation, the country has had developments, including the great achievements in many fields, the improvement of people’s living conditions, the enhancement of country’s position, etc, bringing about happiness and belief to people. However, there remain problems and challenges which need overcoming. If we fail to overcome these challenges, the renovation’s objectives are not easy to be achieved. Therefore, the collection of input for the draft report is an important step for the planning the country’s strategic development.

Concerning the theme of the congress and oriented contents, scientists such as doctor Mai Duc Loc from Da Nang city, professor Pham Huu Duc from Da Lat university, professor and doctor Nguyen An Nien from the southern irrigation science institute all agreed that the draft report has mentioned basic and main contend of the country’s situation in the past five years. Associated professor To Ba Trong from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations said that “since the renovation initiated at the sixth Party congress, we has had striking achievement. This is a strategic exploit decisive the long-term development of the country. However, it is important to be aware of subjective and over-satisfactory spirit because we have many works to do to catch up with regional countries. Doctor Pham Si Liem from Vietnam Construction Association said that in the past 20 years, the Party has led our people to gain basic and great achievements. However, as Uncle Ho taught, when one should not be deepened in his victory but be aware of ahead challenges. To improve the draft report, professor Tran Ngoc Hien from Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, suggested that renewal of the Party’s thinking. One must look at matters in a new thinking-systematic thinking. The tenth congress of the Party should make a breakthrough on theory thinking to work out lines and policies from now to 2010 and 2020. Researcher Tran Bach Dang from Ho Chi Minh City said that “I see the tenth congress of the Party as a necessary turn point for the our country’s revolutionary development.” Historian Duong Trung Quoc from the Vietnam Historians’ Association said that the draft showed a strong determination and responsibility for the nation, however all could come true when there are  the belief and consensus of the entire society.

Like professor and doctor Nguyen The Hung from Da Nang university, associated professor and doctor Vo Xuan Chien from Ho Chi Minh City Economics College, associated professor Nguyen Trong Bao affirmed: “motive for socio-economic development is science and technology”. Professor Pham Duy Hien from the National Energy Institute said that “the draft political report affirms the soon taking the country out of under-developed situation”. Perhaps, it should be to make more clear what does “under-developed” mean and specific steps to escape the situation. Mentioning the strategy development based on survey of practice and theoretical and scientific bases, professor and doctor Phan Ky Phung from Da Nang university said that the development of knowledge-based economy should be clearly defined and it should be focus on key scientific and technological fields which are suitable with the country’s circumstance and meet the requirement of development. Doctor Doan Gia Dung suggested that the draft report should make clear the two concepts “economic growth” and “quality of economic growth”.

The equitisation is also drawn attention from many scientists. Professor and doctor Nguyen The Tho from Hue university said that attention should be paid to the process of changing the national resources into equitisation. Many businesses have changed land as common asset to investors, from the State to private, so there is a circumstance of “privatisation of land”. Similarly, professor and doctor Nguyen An Nien asked that “the equitisation of State-owned businesses must be strictly controlled otherwise people’s assets will be lost”.

The gap between the rich and the poor is also a hot topic. Many opinions show that if the gap is widen more, the social fairness and equality will be seriously affected. Many intellectuals, scientists have asked the Party, State to pay more attention on policies for the poor such as health care, housing, vocational training, etc. In addition, many scientists have said the problem is not just the policies themselves but also the implementation of these policies. Many delegates said that the symmetrical development among regions, especially development of remote areas should be paid more attention, especially its efficiencies. Professor and doctor Hoang Xuan Sinh said that: “for sustainable development, it should promote rural and agricultural industrialisation and modernisation. Developing infrastructure in rural and remote areas and effectively implementing the poverty reduction work to bring the poor out of their miserable situation. Some also said that the situation in which great investment by the State without supervision and check leading to the waste must be stopped.

Education and training is also a topic which draws great attention from delegates. These showed through the opinions of professor and doctor Pham Tat Dong, Associated Professor and Doctor Nguyen Le Ninh, Professor and Doctor Phan Ky Phung. Professor Hoang Tuy who said that educational, scientific and technological development is the State’s prime policy, however so far, education, science and technology still lagged behind those of the world and region. Why? According to professor Hoang Tuy, one of the reasons is “we have yet to change our thinking or the method of management and leadership in this field. So there is waste of both materials and grey matter. He hoped that the congress would review the problem and work out basic policies to promote education and science effectively.

Scientists also raised their opinions on “human qualities”. Professor Cao Van Phuong said that for the sustainable development of the country, “human qualities” must be counted first. While, human qualities are formed by education. According to professor Cao Van Phuong, ways of learning and organising classes should be diversified.

Most of opinions laid emphasis that in the current period, the most important issue for the Party is to build a strong contingent of well-qualified officials to lead the country. 

In addition, according to many scientists, the tasks of renovation and rectification are closely related to the expansion of democracy in the inner Party and democracy in economic-cultural and social activities. Professor Mac Duong sees solidarity as a “vital factor for the socio-economic development and condition for promotion of advanced culture and imbued with national identity.

By TO VUONG and NGUYEN HOA