Party chief promises accelerated reforms
Vietnam's top leader yesterday vowed to accelerate economic reforms and tackle corruption while defending the role of the Communist Party in the country's development.
General Secretary Nong Duc Manh emerged from his party's congress with a fresh five-year term at the head of a significantly younger team in the ruling Politburo, acknowledging 'very frank opinions' from the public and foreign investors on the party's future role after 20 years of reform.
Mr Manh also spoke of a growing rich-poor divide and the need to ensure stability in the push to industrialise by 2020 and lift Vietnam's 83 million people out of poverty within four years.
He said renewal and stability were forces behind development, hinting at the party's juggling act as it tries to drive growth and modernisation while clinging to its monopoly on power.
'The whole party, people and army will strive for ... comprehensive reform, bringing our country out of underdevelopment and creating a foundation for industrialisation,' he said.
His comments came after the close of the eight-day congress that saw unprecedented internal debate and voting powers extended across 1,176 national representatives.
The session confirmed a Politburo headed by Mr Manh and a new prime minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, and president, Nguyen Minh Triet.
Mr Manh said that priority would be given to reforms to boost foreign and domestic investment as part of development plans - but made clear that the state sector would still play the 'lead role'.
'They can complement one another,' he told the South China Morning Post when asked about the long-term role of the still-dominant state sector.
'We do not want to limit any development and everyone has a role to play,' Mr Manh said, insisting upon market reforms with 'socialist orientation'.
He also spoke of the importance of 'strategic investment' to help develop Vietnam's poorest rural provinces, mostly in the mountainous north.
Vietnam's biggest firms are all state-run but are gradually modernising and being sold off in part to workers. They are expected to dominate the country's fledgling stock exchange, now getting international attention.
Foreign analysts and local businessmen are keen for an end to the bureaucracy that hampers private investment, claiming the state giants remain unfairly protected.
Mr Manh raised extensive concerns about corruption - a hot issue during debates over his first five years in office - but did not provide specific solutions.
He acknowledged the 'poor quality' and 'bad ethics' of some of his comrades in the party but said 'the root causes of corruption are hard to specify'.
'We are determined to fight this social evil to purify our organisation and the system,' he said.
Mr Manh pledged the introduction of new anti-corruption 'mechanisms' and tighter management and supervision.
The congress took place under the shadow of one of the worst corruption scandals in the nation's deep history of graft. Its transport minister was forced to resign after his senior staff pilfered millions in international aid earmarked for construction projects.
The money was spent on flash houses and cars, elaborate entertainment and illegal betting on European football.
