12th National Party Congress: turning Vietnam into an industrial count In his opening speech at the 12th National Party Congress, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed the goal of turning Vietnam into a modern industrialized country. Delegates to the 12th National Party Congress support the goal and agree that the Communist Party of Vietnam has wisely assessed the situation and set appropriate development orientations for the future. The 8th National Party Congress set a goal of turning Vietnam into a modern industrialized country by 2020. For the past 20 years, the Party and the nation have strived to reach the target. But for a number of internal and external reasons, that goal will not be achieved. Accurately assessing reality Analysts say industrialization and modernization over the past 20 years recorded 9 accomplishments and 10 shortcomings. Notable results were sustainable and corporate development in agriculture and rapid growth in industry, construction, and services. But these achievements could not negate the 10 shortcomings, which included insufficient economic restructuring, slow industrialization and modernization, and sluggish technological advances.   Delegates to the 12th National Party Congress say the Party has looked straight at reality and admitted the unlikelihood of achieving the goal of industrialization and modernization by 2020. Dang Quoc Vinh is from Ha Tinh: “It’s a frank and serious assessment by the Party. We have discussed subjective and objective reasons. I’m glad the Party looks straight at reality and doesn’t avoid the facts. I believe that the Party will improve itself and progress.” A long-term vision is needed Truong Giang Long of the Ministry of Public Security’s delegation said the goal of becoming a modern industrial nation requires a continuous process of renewal. Vietnam needs long-term policy orientations and solutions. The short-term tasks are to improve human resources, develop science and technology, and apply advanced technology. Long said: “Vietnam needs to adopt foreign technological advancements in order to fully realize its potential. We must exploit all resources and grasp all opportunities to reach the goals set by the 12th National Party Congress.” Vuong Quoc Tuan, a delegate from Bac Ninh province, said Vietnam needs to strengthen its economy. “We need to help the private sector develop the support industry to increase national competitiveness. Adequate support should be given to agriculture and rural areas to raise farmers’ living standards.” The delegates recommended pushing ahead with the equitization of state-owned enterprises and corporations. Nghiem Xuan Thanh, a representative of the Party Committee of the Central Business Sector, said: “We should continue to resolve bad debts and ensure public debts.  The public sector needs to focus on equitizing SOEs and corporations. I believe that after the Congress, we can achieve the goal of becoming a prosperous people and strong nation.” The Communist Party of Vietnam is determined that in the next 5 years Vietnam will strive harder to become a modern industrial country. VOV5