Besides the heroic feats on the military front, the struggle for national liberation also recorded the silent but extremely great contributions of all classes of people, including the patriotic businessmen. They are not only simple businessmen but also children carrying the blood of Lac Hong, always concerned about the fate of the country.
Entrepreneurs in the cause of national liberation
The attack of 13 French warships on Da Nang on August 31, 1858 marked the beginning of the French colonial invasion of Vietnam. Despite fierce resistance, after 26 years, France successfully imposed its domination over the entire country of Vietnam through the Patenotre Treaty of 1884, turning Vietnam into a colony, stripping the country of its sovereignty and making all economic activities serve only the interests of the mother country.
The French colonial exploitation policy focused on resource exploitation and labor exploitation, bringing huge profits to French capitalist groups but pushing the Vietnamese economy into a state of dependence and underdevelopment. Researcher J.P. Aumiphin described: “On one side, customs policy and on the other, mining regulations, allowed financial groups to realize important profits, most of which were transported out of Indochina. Mining was a profitable industry for the mother country's economy but became unprofitable for the Indochina economy.”
Although the Vietnamese economy during this period was mainly based on agriculture, a group of entrepreneurs with national spirit began to appear. They clearly recognized that national independence was the foundation for development, and their role in promoting the economy and society became increasingly important, especially during the Duy Tan and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc movements in the early 20th century. Since then, Vietnamese entrepreneurs have played an indispensable role in the history of the struggle for independence and national construction.
However, by the 1940s, the scale of Vietnam's private economy was still very small. The appearance of Japanese fascism in Indochina unintentionally created opportunities for Vietnamese industrialists and merchants to rise. The weakening of France, combined with the Allied trade embargo, paved the way for domestic production to develop. The Vietnamese business community gradually asserted its position in society, contributing to nurturing the spirit of national pride among the Vietnamese people.
The "big businessmen" of Vietnam in the early 20th century such as Trinh Van Bo, Bach Thai Buoi, Nguyen Son Ha and many others left a significant mark in the history of the Vietnamese economy and revolution. They were not only famous for their business talent and wealth, but also known for their strong patriotism. These businessmen proved that success in business and patriotism and national spirit are not contradictory but can complement each other. They used their talents and resources not only to develop their personal careers but also to contribute to the common cause of the nation. Their shining examples are a strong source of inspiration for later generations of businessmen, affirming that business is not only about making profits but also part of social responsibility and patriotism.
New era Vietnamese entrepreneur
According to statistics, during the period 2004 - 2023, Vietnam witnessed a significant increase in the number of newly established enterprises, reaching more than 1.88 million enterprises. Notably, the number of newly established enterprises in 2023 increased 4.3 times compared to 2004. Entering 2024, this trend continued with more than 110,000 newly established enterprises in just the first 8 months of the year, an increase of 4.4% over the same period last year.
It is forecasted that for the whole year of 2024, this figure may exceed 159,000, marking the third consecutive year that Vietnam has set a record for the number of newly established enterprises. From 2000 to 2024, the total number of newly established enterprises is estimated to exceed 2.1 million. This strong growth is also reflected in the enterprise density, increasing from 1.1 enterprises/1,000 people in 2004 to 9.2 enterprises/1,000 people in 2023, equivalent to an increase of 8.4 times.
The Vietnamese business community and entrepreneurs have demonstrated their national spirit and high social responsibility, especially in difficult and challenging contexts. They are not only pioneers in production and business activities but also actively participate in meaningful social programs, aiming at poverty reduction, gratitude, and community support. The connection with all classes of people, from workers, farmers to intellectuals, contributes to strengthening the great national unity bloc.
The spirit of mutual love is further affirmed when the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and natural disasters. Although production and business activities are heavily affected, the business community is still resilient to overcome difficulties, making efforts to adapt to maintain operations, ensure jobs for workers and livelihoods for people.
In particular, Typhoon Yagi devastated 26 northern provinces and cities, causing great loss of life and property. The business community immediately joined hands to support and share with people in the disaster area in a timely and effective manner. This practical action is a clear demonstration of the national spirit, compatriotism, and solidarity of the Vietnamese people in the face of difficulties and challenges.
