Vietnam's "Communist Review".

Senior staff from Vietnam's "Communist Review" were in Wellington for a brief visit a few days ago . Editorial Board member Dr Nguyen Tri Tuc sat down for a quick interview on just where the publication fits into the Vietnam government's plans for the country 

Vietnam’s Communist Review (CR) is the very model of a modern communist journal. A mouthpiece for the Communist Party, and a thought-leader in the constant revision that appears to be required in the struggle to find true socialism. Most of the content in the long-running publication focuses on the successes of the current administration in Vietnam, a one-party state – or to give it the full title – a “unitary Marxist-Leninist one-party socialist republic”.

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has a degree of control over all aspects of Vietnamese society, and while the country can be viewed as something less than free by western standards, Vietnam's economic policies are regarded as becoming increasingly capitalist in nature.

In a communist state of this kind, ideology is right out in the open and it’s the role of the CR to not only promote the CPV’s ideology, but also to applaud the nation’s successes and praise its leadership in a way just not seen in western media.

It’s worth mentioning the latest survey on press freedom from “Reporters Without Borders” puts Vietnam third from last in a list of nations. The final two being China, and North Korea.   

It's not often we have the opportunity to speak to the senior managers behind a publication like the CR, an outlet directly connected to a one-party state system.

Members of the Communist Review staff meet with Vietnam's Ambassador to New Zealand, Nguyen Van Trung (5th from left)

We sat down with Dr Nguyen Tri Tuc, a member of the CR’s Editorial Board, and head of the publication’s “Thematic Department”.

The Communist Review is charged with being the conduit for political theory from the Vietnam Communist Party’s (CPV’s) central committee - Do you think there is a form of socialism that is specifically Vietnamese in nature?

Since the establishment in 1930, the CPV is still focused on its aims to build a socialist democracy, with a Vietnamese nature and character. Every country faces its own differences and its own struggles, especially in terms of the world as it is today. In Vietnam, the CPV and the people are continuing to work on the way to find the right and unique way to reach our country's particular form of socialism.

Where does Vietnam look for an example of success in that journey towards socialism?

“The ideological foundation of Vietnamese socialism is Marxist-Leninism, and also the thoughts of Ho Chi Minh, and we have learned from the experience of the other communist countries, and the democratic countries as well. Vietnam has come a long way in recent years, but there is more to do.     

Ho Chi Minh is obviously a huge figure in Vietnam and regarded as the father of the Vietnamese revolution, but his theories on Vietnamese socialism weren’t really cemented until the early 1990’s. Is he still regarded as “forward thinking” in Vietnam today, and is there another Ho Chi Minh in the wings?

“Ho Chi Minh is not only the leader of the Vietnamese people but is also a world-famous figure. Everyone in Vietnam is expected to follow his moral style and his lifestyle, he is still very relevant today.

As for a Ho Ch Minh for the new generation – there is no one – he is still valid today.

He is still hugely influential in his thinking and writings which have been read around the world, and continue to be read. 

Dr Nguyen Tri Thuc / photo AMC

 How do you see the developing relationship between New Zealand and Vietnam ?

“We have seen the positive results in the relationship between the two countries, but we can see there is more to do in the agriculture sphere.

You mean in the trade of things like dairy products, or in the expertise, the skills New Zealand has in these areas?

“Yes, in export trade of goods, but also in technical research, agricultural skills, we are busy developing these sectors in Vietnam.

What is the economic situation in Vietnam like at the moment, what are you working towards ?

“We are keen to progress things in the cattle farming area – meat and dairy, both. The economic development in Vietnam is positive more broadly, and post-covid the government has released an economic support package for Vietnamese businesses. The economy grew significantly over the post-covid period, although things have slowed this year and there are still some issues with supply chains. I think a lot of countries around the world facing those same issues But they are being sorted out and Vietnam is still a trusted economic partner for overseas countries like the USA and others.

Is the recent slowdown in the Chinese economy impacting Vietnam?

There are certainly some challenges, but there are also some good opportunities. Of course, the concept of foreign investment in Vietnam is very strong, and that can include foreign firms relocating their factories from China to Vietnam. We have changed the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy so we can attract more investors. But the difference is we choose those investors more carefully now, which allows us to grow the green economy in Vietnam more effectively.

Which offshore countries are most interested in Vietnam?

“The top countries are Singapore, South Korea, the USA and Japan.  There is big interest from US-based tech companies, and some of the bigger ones from South Korea like Samsung.  Apple has a factory in the south of the country too.

Vietnam has come ahead in leaps and bounds economically over recent years, and there is currently a real buzz around this communist-capitalist nation  – how do you see the current development of Vietnam, and how do you see the country in five years from now ?

“Vietnam remains a communist country, and we are able to plan our development carefully. We can plan the economy out by five, ten and twelve years so that allows us some real control over how the economy performs domestically. The CPV is able to undertake this planning on a continual basis. By 2030 Vietnam will, I believe, become a developing country with a high-middle income level, and in 2045 it will become a developing country with a high-income level. We are also continuing to develop our strategic partnership with the USA, but we are also strategic partners with Russia, China, South Korea, and India. Vietnam is on the road to successful development.

Just on a personal level – how did you find things here and how can Vietnam and New Zealand develop relations most effectively?

“It’s my second time here, and I just love the tranquility and hospitality and the peaceful environment. I think we have an opportunity to develop relations through education, healthcare and agriculture, and that’s through dialogue primarily”.

• Asia Media Centre