The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee held a conference in Hanoi on February 14 to collect opinions for the draft political report to be presented at the up-coming tenth national Party congress. Over 50 delegates attended the conference. We would like to introduce some of their opinions.

With high sense of responsibility and sincere sentiment, delegates said that the great achievements in the past 20 years under the leadership of the Party were of extreme importance. According to professor Nguyen Duy Quy from Hanoi and professor Vu Dinh Bach from the Hanoi College of Economics, in spite of difficulties and limits, the country has undergone fundamental and comprehensive changes. The economy is out of crisis and sees a fairly high growth rate. Industrialisation and modernisation and socialist-oriented market economy have been boosted, people’s living conditions have been improved, the country’s international position has steadily been enhanced and raised.  However, delegates suggested that the phrase “historical significance” be considered. Some said that it was necessary to identify what place in the world’s development that Vietnam is holding and compare the level of development of Vietnam with other regional countries and countries in the world.

Professor Nguyen Lan Dung from Hanoi voiced the opinion that  education, training, science and technology has become the State’s prime policy, however, objectives, guidelines and ways of use are not clearly mentioned in the draft report. To improve the quality of education and training, professor Nguyen Lan Dung said that it was important to build and improve the contingent of teachers. Meanwhile, professor Pham Thi Tran Chau said that the root of negative phenomenon in education and training was the motive of students which the country’s education does not pay attention to. It is necessary to teach basic knowledge to understand nature and society to serve the society. She asked to build a specific policy on fostering, training and using talents.

Catholic priest Nguyen Tan Hoa from Quang Nam said that he heard various opinions from people about the daily changes of the country and the improvement of people’s living standards. All these things have been recognised by people. However, it is sad that part of officials and State employees and their children have committed crimes and violated laws. Some delegates also said that although culture was seen a goal and motive for development and spiritual foundation of society, however the management work of culture is still ineffective. Therefore, the Party and State should pay attention and take measures to improve the management of culture. Some delegates also requested to consider the model and development of new Vietnamese people. The Party and State should have mechanism ensuring the harmonious human development.

(To be continued)