Aspirations return nationwide as normality looms

Adaptation

The fact is that what we have experienced during the past year is beyond our normal expectations. No one anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would be continuing to have an impact on societies around the world. Indeed, the pandemic has so far claimed more than 5,500,000 lives globally, including more than 430,000 in the United States alone in 2021.

The pandemic has also come as a shock to Vietnam, particularly in its role as a developing economy that was integrating deep into the world. The country hasn’t endured such a major loss of human life since the end of the war in the 20th century. Initial statistics show nearly 40,000 people have lost their lives since the start of the fourth outbreak in late April 2021.

A national memorial service for compatriots and frontline forces such as healthcare workers and soldiers who became victims of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was solemnly organised. Candles were lit and tears ran down the faces of loved ones, but above all lessons must be learnt.

The pandemic has taught us about how we can stay prepared to adapt to changes that are happening more rapidly, unexpectedly, and unpredictably. It has also taught us to wake up promptly and adapt to changes. Nothing is permanently invariant, even when it comes to the fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has not only served to unite the world, but it has also divided it and deepened differences between nations, peoples, and societies.

Upon addressing such a challenge, the question which arises is how best to face it; either by joining hands or seeking one’s own way as a course of action? Typically, the greater power a nation or an individual wields then greater the outcome is. The decisive choice will therefore always be evaluated and judged.

For Vietnam, 2021 can be considered a year of public awareness and consciousness. The way it dealt with the pandemic initially brought success in protecting people’s lives and health, although this approach was no longer appropriate. As a result, many chances were missed and the country later understood the necessity of adjusting the anti-pandemic strategy.

Safe adaptation and effective, flexible control of COVID-19 were a motto that can be applied to other issues, not only the pandemic fight. When the perception changes and the entire political system operates more effectively, then the fight against the virus brings about good results.

Going from a ‘white point’ on the global vaccine map, Vietnam has emerged as one of the leading countries with the highest vaccination coverage in the world. To date, not a single citizen aged 18 or older has not been vaccinated against the virus. As a result, economic activities and people's livelihoods have now begun to show signs of recovery.

These results not only mirror the bravery and determination of the leadership, but also reflect the wholehearted support from the general public.

Return

The Lunar New Year holiday, known locally as Tet, is an occasion in which people, especially those living overseas, wish to return home for family reunions. The devastation brought about by the pandemic, together with the great loss of human life, has fueled people’s wish to return home as a way of re-adjusting their personal needs and making relevant changes.

Perhaps people find moments of peace more precious than material desires, with the need to stay with loved ones in their homes becoming ever more pressing. It can therefore be considered time to return to the sacred spiritual values of any society: love and kindness. Any acts of cashing in on the pain of fellow countrymen should be duly condemned and despised. In line with this, selfishness, malice, and personal ambitions, regardless of the rule of law, will certainly be engulfed by emotions and a strong sense of humanism.

It’s worth remembering that citizens felt happy when they were provided with gracious meals, rolls of hot crispy bread, and bottles of water free of charge during the height of the outbreak. The incalculable sacrifices and losses made by frontline forces, including healthcare workers, would become meaningless unless spreading such acts of compassion and love were promoted.

Making changes is a must for every individual, organisation, and enterprise given the current context. Apparently the pandemic has prompted us to discover new ways to connect, survive, and develop, including connection in the digital space and the value of digital transformation. Organisations and businesses have quickly adopted digital transitions and are now finding new opportunities. The pandemic has also forced countries to close their borders and people to isolate themselves, although in some cases healing and connections happen faster.

At a higher level, the political system still adheres to the principle of self-reflection and self-correction of limitations and shortcomings. The ongoing fight against corruption continues in order to build up and protect people’s trust in the Party leadership.

Above all, the nation sees more clearly its original cultural bravery to flexibly adapt to new situations based on its resilience and solidarity, thereby creating the source of endogenous strength and the driving force behind development. It always draws valuable lessons which aim to rise up and ensure people’s sacrifices do not become meaningless.

Aspirations ahead

Spring is always associated with hope, with the darkest hour coming just before the dawn. Hopefully in 2022, the year of the Tiger, people’s lives will be improved, the economy will once again gather full steam, and businesses will prosper.

Despite some optimistic signs, the pandemic cannot be contained completely overnight, but it is also impossible to sit back and do nothing. Time and tide waits for no man. Hope is not enough, but aspirations are necessary to make the country strong and its people prosperous in a fair, democratic, and civilised society as enshrined in the 13th National Party Congress’s resolution.

Even in difficult days, a score of solutions have been introduced aimed at removing bottlenecks for development. Of the three-pronged breakthroughs of infrastructure, human resources, and the institution, the institution is the most important. Recent years have seen the institution fail to keep up with reality, becoming a hindrance to innovation and creativity. Perfecting the institution is not just about removing the bottlenecks, but also about perfecting a system of policies and laws capable of creating development.

The first extraordinary session of the National Assembly held at the beginning of the year adopted an unprecedented US$15 billion socio-economic recovery package. It also approved amendments to a number of bills aimed at sprucing up national infrastructure construction. This reflects that no country can achieve breakthrough developments without a modern highway system, with modern and synchronous infrastructure being considered the highway leading to prosperity.

Hopefully our nation will witness many promising events so that happiness and greater prosperity will be achieved over the coming year.