On the morning of August 26 (New York time), the high-level Vietnamese delegation led by Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang successfully completed the Vietnam Leadership Program (VLP) 2026 after 3 working days at Columbia University, New York, USA, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking at the closing of the Program, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang assessed that, in the spirit of open exchange, the topics of discussion of the VLP Program have shown practicality and usefulness for Vietnamese relevant agencies in the process of policy planning and implementation.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang shared that the assessment of professors and experts on the world is at an important turning point, challenges always intertwined with opportunities for countries with aspirations for self-reliance and rise.
To realize the goal of double-digit growth and the two 100-year goals, Vietnam clearly recognizes the requirement to steadfastly maintain macroeconomic stability, proactively adapt to external shocks, and consider science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and modern financial infrastructure as important growth drivers.
Improving institutions, creating a favorable environment for innovation and improving national competitiveness will be the key for Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global supply chain and value chain.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang expressed his belief that the success of the Vietnam Leadership Program 2026 will continue to consolidate the bridge of knowledge, contributing to bringing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the United States to become increasingly in-depth and substantive.
Executive Vice President of Columbia University Amy Hungerford highly appreciated the frank, substantive and multi-dimensional exchanges on the contents of the VLP Program.
She emphasized the role of the University in promoting dialogue, connecting policymakers, scholars and businesses; affirmed that Columbia University is committed to long-term cooperation with Vietnam, wishing to strengthen teaching and research activities, and considers the VLP 2026 Program as the beginning of a sustainable dialogue and cooperation relationship between the two sides.
At the discussion sessions within the framework of the Program, US professors and experts highly appreciated Vietnam's breakthrough potential, and at the same time said that mastering technology and developing modern digital financial infrastructure will be a lever to improve labor productivity and national competitiveness.
On that basis, scholars recommend that Vietnam proactively apply AI and data technology to improve autonomy capacity; build a pioneering institutional framework to promote innovation, master foundational technologies and safely manage technology finance models; reform the capital market associated with modernizing the banking system to optimize resource allocation, ensuring high growth in parallel with macroeconomic stability.
