In total, more than 20,000 questions divided into nine topics were submitted by residents and foreigners. The nine discussion topics were: Viet Nam’s 2006 socio-economic achievements; anti-corruption; administrative reform; science and technology development; employment; social policies; socio-economic solutions for 2007 and the future; housing and land policies; education policies, culture and health and disaster relief and epidemic prevention. The following is an excerpt of the dialogue:

Nguyen Van Sac, HCM City, Nguyen Van Tuan, Ha Noi; Do Van Binh, Phu Tho Province; Nguyen Chi Dung, Thai Nguyen Province and Dinh Thi Cuc, Ha Noi, asked:

Do you believe Viet Nam will be successful when it fully integrates into the world economy after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accession period?

Viet Nam has thousands of years of fine tradition. We have just commemorated the 77th anniversary of the Viet Nam Communist Party’s founding on February 3rd. Since its inception, the Party has led the Vietnamese people to continue in that fine tradition.

We were forced to take up arms in the struggle for national independence. We were successful in switching from a command economy to the socialist-oriented market economy.

We began to integrate into the regional and global economy a few years ago and gained initial successes. Now we are integrating more deeply into the world economy.

In 1995, we joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and created free trade agreements with ASEAN, China, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand among others.

Our regional integration helped us begin to integrate on an international level.

In addition, Viet Nam has established trade relations with more than 200 countries and signed bilateral trade agreements with more than 80 nations.

On an average, over the last 20 years, our economy has continued to increase at the rate of 7.5-8 per cent.

Under the leadership of the Party, over the past 77 years, we won back national independence and unified the country. We have also been successful in the present renewal process.

We’ve won initial success in the international integration.

Based on these victories and with the strengths and posture that our nation has acquired over the past 20 years of renewal, I have a great confidence that we’ll gain more successes in the future.

What are the main socio-economic goals for 2007?

To seize opportunities presented to the nation, the National Assembly (NA) has issued a resolution on socio-economic development for 2007. I must say, the plan adopted by the NA is comprehensive.

Based on the NA resolution, the government has initiated a plan of action for socio-economic development in 2007, including a plan spanning 2006 to 2010.

The plan of action is available on the Government Website and through national media outlets.

The plan contains three main points as follows:

First, Viet Nam will try to reach an efficient and sustainable gross domestic product of 8.2 per cent for 2007.

Second, the government will exert its efforts in administrative reform in the nation’s institutions, State-owned initiatives and the areas of civil servant management and public administration.

If we do not conduct a thorough reform, we will not be able to mobilise the hidden potential of businesses and different economic sectors in our national development.

If we don’t carry out the reform in the administrative procedures, we can’t respond to the people’s democratic rights.

And finally, we vow to take tough measures to fight against corruption.

Fighting corruption

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu said if we want to fight against corruption we must have a "steel but clean hand." How will you reflect the concept of "steel" and "clean" in the fight?

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu did not elaborate what he referred to as "steel" and "clean hand" in the sentence.

However, in my opinion, a leader in the fight against corruption needs to have the following characteristics:

First, he/she must have great determination to engage in the fight. He/she must be devoted and be aware of the extensive damage corruption will cost the nation and live up to the people’s confidence.

The leader should think fighting against corruption is for the benefit of the country, the nation and the people and have a high sense of responsibility in the fight.

He/she should go after the guilty parties regardless of their social positions and not be afraid of difficulties or challenges, the possibility of revenge or being dismissed from his/her position.

Secondly, the leader, himself/herself, must not be involved in corruption or work with those guilty of sins against the nation.

And he/she must be knowledgeable about the laws and obey them.

Corruption is a crime, but to turn a blind eye to corruption or violating laws while fighting corruption are also crimes.

Have you ever been blocked in your fight against corruption?

Are there any "restricted" or taboo issues related to corruption?

What is the most difficult challenge you face in terms of stopping corruption?

So far I’ve not encountered any problem fighting against corruption.

There is no restricted area in this fight.

In my opinion, the most difficult problem I’m facing right now is that I don’t have sufficient budget to ensure a decent living for public servants to rid the nation of this problem.

In addition, a small number of Party members and public servants have not fulfilled their duties or lived up to the nation’s expectations.

In many localities, people have only paid lip service to the fight against corruption.

Housing and land policy

Will the Government Decree 61/CP still be valid so that tenants living in the government housing can eventually buy the homes?

The Decree 61/CP was issued in 1994 allowing tenants to buy government houses that were rented to them.

According to reports from the Minister of Construction, by late 2006, about 200,000 apartments had been sold to the families living in them. The remaining 64,000 apartments have not been sold although the Government has extended the deadline twice.

At the cabinet meeting early this year, the Government agreed to extend the time people have to purchase these houses until the end of 2007.

The Ministry of Construction and other functional agencies were assigned to review the Decree to enable and accelerate its implementation.

The Government also asked local People’s Committees to review all the purchases to see if any of them were mishandled and, if so, take corrective actions, including invalidating the purchase.

However, the government will not look into purchases made before Decree 61 was issued.

We, overseas Vietnamese living abroad, want to buy houses in Viet Nam so we have somewhere to stay during our visits home but are having trouble doing so. What measures are available to help us?

The three million Vietnamese living abroad are part and parcel of the Vietnamese nation. The Party Politburo and the Party Central Committee have issued Resolution 36 to address overseas Vietnamese.

The Land Law states overseas Vietnamese people are allowed to buy houses in Viet Nam. Any overseas Vietnamese investor, individual who has rendered services to the country’s development, scientist, cultural specialist or people who want to return and settle in the country or have a permit to stay for six months, have the right to buy houses.

However, I understand the procedures are still cumbersome.

At the most recent cabinet meeting, I instructed the Minister of Construction – the ministry responsible for overseeing this issue — to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies to give suggestions to the Government to facilitate conditions for overseas Vietnamese who wish to work and live in the homeland.

Have you got any solutions to help people whose land has been taken to build socio-economic infrastructure, urban areas and industrial zones to overcome difficulties?

Your question is a matter of concern of the Government and myself.

The country is implementing industrialisation and modernisation, which go hand in hand with urbanisation.

The only way to do this is to use agricultural and residential spaces to build infrastructure, such as roadways, irrigation dikes, electrical projects and industrial and economic zones.

However, revoking land should always mean people get resettled as quickly and comfortably as possible.

The Government is continuing to inspect the implementation of policies for the resettlement villages to make sure that these people will have better lives.

We will surely reach this target. This is also the Government’s responsibility to the people.

Administrative reform

You signed a decree banning the privatisation of the media in any form. Isn’t this against our nation’s goal to be more liberal and democratic?

On behalf of the Government, I signed an instruction to tighten management of the media to bring into full play the role of the media in developing the country. The instruction has one stipulation banning the privatisation of the media in any form, and not allowing any one to control or influence the media for their individual gain, going against the law and national interests.

My instruction suits Viet Nam laws, and also suits most people’s aspirations and Viet Nam’s conditions. I think people should support this decision and the media outlets should obey it.

The Party and State appreciate the role of media. Their achievements should be respected and given awards.

But media outlets’ wrong doings should be also punished following the laws.

What do you think about the opinion saying State-owned enterprises are weak and are causing losses to the economy?

That opinion is not objective or correct.

State-owned enterprises still have many shortcomings but they have also made contributions to the development of the country.

During the 20 years of doi moi (renewal), State businesses played a key role supporting the nation’s economy. From 1986, changing from the bureaucratic and subsidised economic mechanism to a market-driven economy, the State enterprises had to adapt to new situation and, so far, they have succeeded.

Today, State enterprises are doing well in the new markets and following the State laws. They are equal to other private businesses.

We now only have 1,800 State enterprises. We will equitise them in the future with many becoming multi-ownership ventures.

Last year, State-owned enterprises contributed 30 per cent of the nation’s GDP, 40 per cent of the State budget and 50 per cent of exports.

Development of education, culture and health care

Do you have solutions to help poor people go to school?

The Party and State consider education one of the most important national values.

In the past years, we have focused on developing education and training.

The Party and State especially care about poverty stricken residents going to school. This is the target and nature of our government.

The State has policies to exempt tuition for all the primary pupils. Poor students are exempted from tuition in junior and senior high schools, colleges and universities.

Last year, 27.5 million people went to school, accounting for 33 per cent of total population.

We also have policies to support poor households that have children going to school. I believe that, with the State efforts as well as efforts by each family and resident, we can fulfill Uncle Ho’s wishes, "For everyone to be able to go to school."

I wish to be the Prime Minister in the future. Can you tell us about how you became the PM?

During my time in the Party, I always obeyed the instruction of the organisation, eventhough the duties might be difficult or dangerous. We did not avoid tasks but tried to implement them effectively.

Considering our work, we should give it our best try to benefit the country and nation.

In life, we should be always honest and be considerate of all people.

We are a new WTO member-country. It means integration and fierce competition but there are still many poor people here in Viet Nam. What are your solutions to help fellow citizens escape from poverty?

The Government has implemented a number of programmes designed to help those in need. Our programmes include eliminating poverty and hunger and assisting in investment, seedling, and farming techniques for the poor. The Government invests in infrastructure, schools and villages in need. The programme, referred to as 135, has finished its first phase and is now starting the second phase.

Work has been done and must be done better. The Party’s 9th Resolution sets out the target of building asphalt road to all villages. The National Assembly has mobilised investment by issuing bonds. Two-hundred villages are still not connected to cities by roads. We would have realised this goal if new divided villages had not been set up. We must finish the plan this year.

Programme 134 is in the works and is designed to give each household VND5 million to buy farmland or space for business development, housing or safe drinking water.

We also have a farming programme for nomadic people and population distribution programmes for districts along the Vietnamese-Chinese border and the Vietnamese-Laotian border.

To continue improving the living standard of farmers and promote agriculture and rural development, we will focus on: infrastructure, incentive policies to apply scientific and technological achievements to agriculture and aquaculture in order to reduce production costs and increase productivity as well as policies to develop diversified production businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to improve farmers’ living standards, developing education and training and resolving cultural and environmental issues as well as other areas of concern.

Some newspapers said your two children studied in the US and your daughter married a Viet Kieu. Do people question your authority to lead?

My son studied in the US where he attained doctorate in civil construction. He returned to Viet Nam and is now in charge of training postgraduates at the Ho Chi Minh City Architecture University. My daughter did not study in the US and she has not yet married. That information is inaccurate.

Through mass media, I know your country fought against the US and hate it very much. Why did you allow your son to study in the US?

I spent 13 years in the southern Viet Nam battlefields fighting against the American aggressors. We, fighters, and other citizens hated the US’s arrogant administration and its armies very much back then. I was injured four times and suffered more than 30 wounds over the course of my fighting career. My father and my two uncles died during the American War.

But we, and all other Vietnamese, did not hate all American people or the US as a country. We thanked Americans who protested the war in Viet Nam. We sympathised with American mothers who lost their sons and husbands. I am sure you still remember we were so moved when a young American lit himself on fire to oppose the war.

My son was already a member of the Party when he was a student. While learning in the US, he was Secretary of the Youth Union and Deputy Secretary of the Party Cell of Overseas Vietnamese Students.

My son’s study was covered by the State’s doctorate training fund. I think science and technology, and architecture in particular, had little to do with the war in Viet Nam.

As a state, a nation and a citizen, no one will forget our nation’s painful suffering. But, in terms of the nation’s reconciliation tradition, the Party and State advocate looking toward to the future, and at the same time building the relations for peace, co-operation, development and equality between two our countries and their peoples.

Source: Vietnam News