This is a matter of strategic significance, reflecting the Party’s far-sighted vision and strong political resolve in the new stage of the revolution, said Colonel Dr. Nguyen Van Manh, head of the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Marxism–Leninism Theory at the National Defence Academy, in an interview granted to VOV.

Elevating the Party’s ideological standing and political resolve

Dr. Manh affirmed that incorporating the Renewal theory into the Party’s ideological foundation represents an elevation of political thinking, demonstrating the Party’s capacity for self-renewal, self-rectification and creative development. The Renewal policy line, he stressed, does not constitute a “deviation” as distorted by some erroneous views, but rather a process of creative application and development of Marxism–Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in line with Vietnam’s specific conditions.

One of the clearest manifestations of this creative application is the formation and continued refinement of the socialist-oriented market economy model. According to Dr Manh, the Renewal theory has clarified the nature of this model in both its operational mechanisms and development objectives. It is an economy that adheres to the objective laws of a modern market economy while maintaining socialist orientation as a guiding principle. In this model, the socialist rule-of-law state plays a constructive and regulatory role to ensure social progress and equity in every development policy, harmonising economic growth with socialist orientation, and refusing to sacrifice social justice for growth alone.

He emphasised that Renewal goes beyond theoretical cognition, directly contributing to policy formulation, institutional improvement, enhanced national governance and sustainable development. Practice, he noted, remains the most objective measure to refute claims that Renewal is merely “copying” or “abandoning principles.” Such arguments, in his view, are one-sided, lack scientific basis, and often conceal negative political motives.

Such views equate renewal with mechanical imitation, whereas in reality renewal is a dynamic and continuous revolutionary process, evolving in line with practical demands and rejecting any notion of an immutable framework, stated the scholar.

Reviewing more than 40 years of Renewal, Vietnam has undergone a profound transformation from a closed, centrally planned, subsidy-based economy to a market economy deeply integrated into the global system. The size of the economy has expanded many times over, people’s living standards have markedly improved, and political stability has been maintained.

These achievements constitute the most vivid and convincing evidence refuting distorted viewpoints and affirming the correctness of the Renewal path chosen by the Party, said Dr. Manh.

A foundational role in national defence and security

Beyond its socio-economic significance, the Renewal theory also plays a foundational role in national defence and security. The scholar analysed that renewal has shaped a modern defence–security mindset, emphasising proactive prevention and safeguarding the country early and from afar, even before risks fully materialise.

The Renewal line also reaffirms and ensures the absolute, direct and comprehensive leadership of the Party over the Vietnam People’s Army, a decisive factor in preserving its class nature, combat objectives, and political–spiritual strength, he affirmed.

At the same time, he pointed out, renewed thinking has provided a basis for building national defence potential in close linkage with socio-economic development; modernising the armed forces on the foundation of independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening; enhancing the capacity to respond to non-traditional security challenges; and promoting overall national strength through the close integration of defence, security and diplomacy.

A recurring highlight in the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress, according to Dr. Manh, is the spirit of independence, self-reliance and resilience. Independence and self-reliance are understood comprehensively, extending beyond territorial sovereignty to encompass political, economic, cultural, defence–security and foreign affairs domains.

International integration is an objective requirement, but it must rest on the firm foundation of national independence and self-reliance. Only when internal strength is strong can independence be truly sustainable, he said.

According to Dr. Manh, sustainable national defence in the new context must go hand in hand with strengthening economic capacity, science and technology, cultural resilience, and the nation’s immunity to external shocks. On this basis, foreign policy thinking continues to be refined toward diversification and multilateralisation, closely linking the protection of national independence with safeguarding the political system, the ideological foundation of the Party, and national interests.

Concluding the interview, Dr. Manh affirmed that the continued development of the Renewal theory constitutes a vital scientific and political foundation, enabling the Party to enhance its leadership capacity, uphold its ideological base, strengthen national defence and security, and guide the country confidently into a new era of development.

Party Central Committee finalises preparations for 14th National Party Congress

VOV.VN - The 15th plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee convened its closing session in Hanoi on December 23, completing all agenda items and tasks as scheduled, including key preparations for the 14th National Party Congress.