Zhang Jianguo, Secretary-General of the Charhar Institute, a well-known Chinese think tank, affirmed this in a recent interview granted to a VOV correspondent in Beijing.

As a veteran Chinese diplomat, Zhang assessed that, eight decades after the country’s founding, Vietnam’s endeavors and achievements are truly remarkable. The nation has steadily advanced on the path of building socialism, overcoming arduous stages from post-war reconstruction to focusing on economic development, and has attained significant results.

According to him, Vietnam’s 80-year socialist journey has been a historic process of struggle, from regaining national independence to building a prosperous nation. These achievements are not only reflected in the establishment of a political system and economic take-off, but also demonstrate the adaptability and vitality of socialism in the Southeast Asian context.

He stressed that Vietnam’s progress has not only profoundly shaped its own destiny but also offered valuable experience to the global socialist cause. “Whether in economic development, improving people’s livelihoods, reforming education, or poverty reduction, Vietnam has made great strides. Moreover, the country’s international standing has risen considerably. Therefore, I believe Vietnam’s development brings benefits to its own people, and contributes to the peoples of Asia and, in particular, the world. Vietnam’s growth also makes a major contribution to global peace and development.”

The Secretary-General of the Charhar Institute emphasized that Vietnam’s 80 years of socialist practice illustrate the positive combination of a socialist path with market-oriented reform, providing a reference model of “institutional resilience combined with the dynamism of openness” for developing countries.

Assessing Vietnam’s development prospects, Zhang Jianguo noted that the country possesses tremendous potential, with core strengths forming the foundation for future growth.

First, there is institutional assurance for political stability. The policy of “continuing the renewal  process and opening” adopted at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has received broad consensus and provides policy guarantees for long-term development.

Second, Vietnam’s demographic advantage continues to be unlocked. Of the country’s more than 100 million people, those aged 15-64 account for over 67%. More importantly, the educational attainment of Vietnam’s younger generation has improved, and its English proficiency ranks high within ASEAN, providing a human resources base capable of taking on key roles in mid- to high-end industries such as electronics assembly and software development.

Third, Vietnam benefits from regional economic integration. The country has joined numerous international free trade agreements, creating a dual advantage of “supporting supply chain linkages with China while accessing European and US markets.”

Fourth, international cooperation will be a key driver of Vietnam’s future development. According to Zhang, by further strengthening cooperation with China in sectors such as auto parts and new energy, aligning standards with the EU (such as green production certification), and integrating markets with ASEAN (such as unified logistics standards), Vietnam will be able to further expand its advantages and realize a leap from a “large manufacturing country” to an “intelligent manufacturing power.”

Zhang Jianguo expressed strong optimism about Vietnam’s development: “I believe Vietnam’s development prospects are very promising. First, Vietnam enjoys a favorable geographical position in Asia. It has taken part in a number of Asian trade and economic cooperation organizations. Furthermore, it can connect with both China’s industrial chain and those of Europe and the United States. Therefore, I believe Vietnam’s role in economic globalization will grow ever stronger.”

Vietnam, China strengthen substantive military cooperation

The ground forces of Vietnam and China are conducting their first joint training exercise in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from July 21 to 30.