Nha Trang- Vietnam’s long-term development strategy has consistently placed human development at the heart of national progress, according to a 2025 academic analysis by Luu Mai Hoa from Nha Trang University. Published in the International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research, the article explains how Vietnam’s ruling party views people not only as beneficiaries of development but as its primary driving force.
The research matters because it offers a clear explanation of why Vietnam has pursued a development path that balances economic growth with education, culture, and social welfare. At a time when many developing countries face pressure to prioritize rapid industrial expansion, Vietnam’s experience highlights an alternative model that treats human well-being as the foundation of sustainable progress.
A people-centered approach to national development
Since launching its economic reform program known as Renovation (Đổi Mới) in the late 1980s, Vietnam has restructured its economy while maintaining a strong emphasis on social development. According to Luu Mai Hoa, this approach reflects a long-standing political philosophy rooted in Marxism–Leninism and the teachings of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s founding leader.
Rather than treating economic growth as an end in itself, Vietnamese policy documents consistently describe development as a process aimed at improving quality of life, expanding human capabilities, and creating conditions for individuals to grow intellectually, morally, and socially. In this framework, people are seen as both the subject and the purpose of modernization.
Why this research is timely
Globalization, technological change, and international economic integration have intensified competition for skilled labor and innovation. The article situates Vietnam’s development strategy within this global context, arguing that human development has become a decisive factor in national resilience.
As Vietnam integrates more deeply into global markets, its ability to adapt depends on education, training, and social cohesion. The study highlights how Vietnam’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that investment in people—through education systems, cultural development, and social policy—is essential to meeting these challenges.
How the analysis was conducted
The research is based on a qualitative review of official policy documents issued by Vietnam’s ruling party from the Sixth National Congress in 1986 through the Thirteenth National Congress in 2021. Rather than collecting new survey data, the author examined how ideas about human development evolved across decades of political resolutions, strategies, and reports.
By tracing these documents over time, the study identifies both continuity and change in how human development has been defined and prioritized. This historical approach allows readers to see how policy thinking has matured alongside Vietnam’s economic and social transformation.
Key findings from four decades of policy
The analysis shows that despite changes in economic conditions, Vietnam’s leadership has remained consistent in treating people as the country’s most valuable resource. Several core themes appear repeatedly across different periods:
Education and training as national priorities. From the early 1990s onward, education, science, and technology have been described as the top priorities for strengthening human potential.
Balanced growth and social justice. Economic expansion is consistently linked with social equity, including fair access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Culture and morality as foundations. Human development is not limited to skills and productivity; cultural values, ethics, and social responsibility are emphasized as essential elements.
Human rights and participation. Later policy documents increasingly highlight democratic participation, citizen rights, and the role of people in shaping development outcomes.
According to the study, these principles were reinforced during key milestones such as the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Party Congresses, when Vietnam accelerated industrialization while reaffirming the central role of human development.
From industrial growth to quality of life
One of the article’s most important insights is how Vietnam has tried to avoid the pitfalls of growth-focused development models. While pursuing industrialization and modernization, the country has continued to frame policy success in terms of improved living standards, social security, and cultural vitality.
The Thirteenth National Congress, held in 2021, further strengthened this approach by explicitly linking human development with democracy, the rule of law, and national unity. Long-term strategies for 2021–2030 describe people as the focal point, active agents, and ultimate goal of development.
Real-world implications beyond Vietnam
The findings have implications for policymakers and researchers beyond Vietnam. For countries facing inequality, skills gaps, or social fragmentation, the Vietnamese case illustrates how sustained investment in human development can support economic growth without undermining social cohesion.
The study suggests that development strategies centered on people may be better equipped to handle technological change and global uncertainty. Education systems aligned with national values, combined with social policies that promote fairness, can strengthen both economic performance and public trust.
Author’s perspective
Luu Mai Hoa emphasizes that human development is not a short-term policy choice but a long-term national commitment. Drawing on decades of official documents, the author argues that Vietnam’s progress in education levels, living standards, and social stability reflects the practical impact of this people-centered philosophy.
As global competition intensifies, the article notes that Vietnam’s continued success will depend on maintaining this balance between economic ambition and human well-being.
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