Opportunity for Vietnam's economy to make a strong breakthrough
On September 16, 2025, the University of Economics - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, in collaboration with the Vietnam and World Economic Institute - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, organized the 2025 Economic Conference with the theme "Driver for Vietnam's economic growth in the new era".
In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, emphasized: Vietnam is entering a period of development of historical significance. The Party and State have also set a double-digit economic growth target for the period 2026 - 2030, considering this not only a strategic aspiration, but also a measure of the country's mettle, vision and ability to operate the macro economy.
However, to achieve those great goals, we cannot continue to rely on traditional growth drivers such as resource exploitation, cheap labor or expansionary investment capital. Vietnam needs to create modern, sustainable motivations, in line with the digital and green era, while taking advantage of opportunities from international economic integration to make a strong breakthrough.
Dr. Pham Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam and the World Economic Institute, commented that the increasingly complex world context requires us to innovate development thinking, have flexible, breakthrough and effective strategies, take advantage of opportunities, overcome challenges, and gradually affirm the national position.
Associate Professor, Dr. Le Trung Thanh, President of the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi affirmed that Vietnam needs to urgently create modern and sustainable development drivers, based on transparent institutions, innovation, digital transformation and green development, while effectively taking advantage of opportunities for international integration to make strong breakthroughs. He also emphasized the role of academic institutions and universities in research and policy consultation.
Economic growth must be for the life and happiness of the people
Presenting a speech at the workshop, Professor Tran Van Tho, Distinguished Professor, Waseda University (Japan) said that over the past 35 years, Vietnam has developed by an average of 6.5%.
"Vietnam has not had a double-digit growth period (10% continuously for over 10 years) like Japan, Korea, China" - Professor Tran Van Tho commented.
Regarding Vietnam's economic growth solutions, Professor Tran Van Tho proposed policies such as: Creating a mechanism for large enterprises to share with the state about the long-term vision of the economy in the future; Encouraging technology transfer and management knowledge in association with small and medium enterprises; expanding production and export scale for existing industries or developing new industries; having policies to develop supporting industries...
"With the determination of the current leadership to reform institutions and the policies discussed, I believe that Vietnam can develop at a higher pace than it is now in the coming time" - Professor Tran Van Tho said and especially noted that economic growth must be for the lives and happiness of the people. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to focus on implementing all labor, thoroughly popularizing free primary and secondary education, and investing appropriately in health services.
It is necessary to develop policies and regimes on pensions and unemployment insurance so that everyone can feel secure about the future" - Professor Tran Van Tho emphasized.
