The issue of combining the national strength with the power of the times to defend the Fatherland in the present situation must be continued with comprehensive contents and solutions.

First of all, combination must be carried out at all levels (from the central to the local government), at all industries and sectors (from economy, politics, culture, and society to defense, security and diplomacy...) with appropriate measures. This is the fundamental difference to what have done before as we advocate deep and extensive international integration across all sectors, not just in economic field. On the other hand, the objective and task of national defense today involve all industries and sectors with their own position and responsibility in the spirit: “This is the vital, regular task not of just the armed forces but of the Party, the State and the whole people.” Accordingly, in the context of globalization and international integration, each level, industry and sector will need to thoroughly grasp and apply measures creatively in accordance with the viewpoint of “bringing into full play the strength of the nation in combination with the power of the age” in the process of performing their functions and duties, thus making practical contributions to the cause of national defense.

Secondly, combination must be conducted in the spirit of “strongly upholding the power of the nation”, “promotion of the internal strength as the decisive factor,” while making the most of external factors. To strongly uphold the power of the nation and to promote the internal strength as the decisive factor require us to pay attention to the building and upholding of elements that form the national and internal strength. That is to care for building “a sustainable economy, a strong national defense, a powerful real strength, peaceful hearts and minds of all people, a stable socio-political situation, the whole nation as a unified bloc.” To realize this requirement, it is critical to grasp that economic development is the central mission; Party building is a key task; cultural development is the spiritual foundation of the whole society; strengthening national defense and security is a regular and crucial task. On that basis, it is necessary to maintain the Party’s absolute, direct and all-round leadership over the cause of Homeland protection; to build a truly pure and sound Party and State; to constantly consolidate and strengthen the bloc of great national unity; to closely combine the two strategic tasks; and to combine socio-economic development with the enhancement of defense, security and diplomacy.

Thirdly, combination must be based on “consistent implementation of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development; multilateralization and diversification of external relations; being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community; equal cooperation and mutual benefit with all countries on the basis of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law.” On carrying out diplomatic activities, all levels, industries and sectors in various models (State, Party and people-to-people...) must thoroughly grasp and apply creatively those guidelines through appropriate forms and measures; give top priority to national interest while attaching great importance to creating the most favourable international environment for socio-economic development to fulfill the goal of “a prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, equity, and civilization”. At the same time, it is essential to master the mottoes, namely “both cooperation and competition,” “more friends, fewer enemies,”; to have a dialectical view on “subjects” and “partners” in order to make full use of the aspect of “consensus” in each “subject”; to resolutely struggle with each “partner” on conflicting issues, on the principles of protecting national interest and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for socio-economic development. Bringing into full play our potentials and internal strengths in combination with taking advantage of international cooperation on the basis of a thorough understanding and proper implementation of the guideline of the Party’s diplomacy, every level, industry and specific sector not only brings about direct benefits for themselves, but also makes important contributions to safeguarding independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the country from afar; protecting the Party, the State, the people and, the socialist regime as a whole.

By Nguyen Ngoc Hoi