According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), former Deputy Prime Minister, former Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Doan Duy Thanh is a leader who has made many important contributions to the economic renovation process and the development of the Vietnamese business community.
Both in the position of state management and when directly participating in leading business representative organizations, he always consistently pursued the goal of creating a transparent business environment, encouraging production and promoting integration. His passing left deep regret for entrepreneurs and those working in promoting and supporting businesses.
Born on September 15, 1929, in Cong Hoa commune, Kim Thanh district, Hai Duong province (old), in a family with patriotic traditions, he participated in the revolution early and grew up through many working positions. Throughout his activities, he was known as a leading cadre with rich practical experience, innovative thinking, decisiveness and always putting the common interests first.
In the locality, in his position as Secretary of the Hai Phong City Party Committee, he made his mark with bold policies aimed at expanding the economic development space and improving people's lives, such as the reclaiming project, building Dinh Vu dike, forming new residential areas, or the "rural tiling" movement. Flexible and practical approaches have contributed to changing the face of the locality in a difficult period.
When taking office as Minister of Foreign Trade, he continued to show the bravery of an economic operator in the context of a volatile market. Decisions such as importing gold to contribute to curbing inflation, while gradually eliminating the foreign trade monopoly mechanism and expanding autonomy for businesses in import and export activities, have helped to unlock trade flows and create conditions for production and business development.
In particular, during the period of holding the position of Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Deputy Prime Minister) from 1987 to 1990, he participated in promoting important economic reform policies, removing barriers to the subsidy mechanism, and encouraging economic sectors to develop. These contributions contributed to laying the foundation for a more open business environment in the renovation period.
One of his most prominent and persistent imprints is associated with the role of Chairman of VCCI. In the context that the Vietnamese business community is still young, lacking connection and unified representative voice, he has devoted a lot of effort to building and developing this organization in a more professional and effective direction. Under his leadership, VCCI has gradually transformed strongly, becoming a national organization that gathers and represents the business community, entrepreneurs, employers and business associations.
He focused on expanding practical support activities for businesses, from trade promotion, cooperation connections, to participating in contributing opinions and policy recommendations to improve the business environment. At the same time, VCCI was also promoted to strengthen international cooperation relations, build prestige with foreign partners, thereby helping Vietnamese businesses have more opportunities to access the market and integrate more deeply.
With a close and practical management approach, he always listens to the thoughts and difficulties of businesses and considers business development as a measure of the organization's operational efficiency. The image of a dedicated, responsible leader who persistently protects the legitimate rights and interests of the business community has left many respectful feelings in the hearts of generations of VCCI officials and businessmen.
The passing of former Deputy Prime Minister, former Chairman of VCCI Doan Duy Thanh is a great loss for the Vietnamese business community. His persistent contributions to the economic renovation process and to the maturity of VCCI will always be remembered as an important milestone in the development journey of the organization and Vietnamese businesses.
