WEF President Børge Brende Praises Vietnam’s Self-Reliance Vision

On June 26, Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, tweeted on X about Vietnam’s vision. He stated, “Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared Vietnam’s ambitious vision for growth and global balance during our session at Summer Davos.” This is after a key discussion with Vietnam’s prime minister on ‘Vietnam’s New Era: From Vision to Action.’ This meeting happened on June 25, at the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC25) in Tianjin, China. Chinh emphasized the idea of the country’s self-reliant economy goal.

A Grounded Vision with Strong Roots

Prime Minister Chinh mentioned ‘A New Era’ for Vietnam in the AMNC25 meeting. He stated, “Vietnam remains committed to an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to become a high-income developed country by 2045.” This vision also includes increasing Vietnam’s GDP to 8% by this year’s end. Vietnam’s economic record already tells a compelling story. It is now the world’s 32nd largest economy and has reached upper-middle-income status.

In 2024, Vietnam’s GDP approached $500 billion, with total trade turnover nearing $800 billion. Chinh also mentioned Vietnam’s 19 free trade agreements. These are with China, the U.S., the EU, Japan, and Korea. The Prime Minister noted that Vietnam’s high openness makes it vulnerable to external shocks. Chinh said, “We must keep people and development in motion to generate fresh momentum,” which is a part of the self-reliant vision.

A Self-Reliant Economy Built on National Identity

Chinh’s message about a self-reliant economy wasn’t abstract. He grounded it in Vietnam’s painful yet proud past. PM mentioned, “We endured decades of war. Over three million Vietnamese suffered from Agent Orange. More than 300,000 fallen soldiers are still unaccounted for.” Also added, “But we rose by relying on our strength.” Vietnam’s development model blends market principles with socialist orientation. “We respect supply and demand, value, and competition,” Chinh explained. Yet, the soul of this model lies in the country’s identity. He emphasized three pillars for self-reliance that the Vietnamese people, the nation’s natural resources and geography, and its 4,000-year cultural heritage.

PM emphasized, “We consider internal resources fundamental and decisive.” “But we also embrace external resources like technology, talent, and capital as important breakthroughs.” Chinh didn’t shy away from modern challenges. He recognized that future growth must come from more than just exports or investment. “We are now focusing on science and technology, digital transformation, green development, and the circular economy.”

Balancing Friends, Markets, and National Interests

Vietnam’s foreign policy is built on balance. “The US is our largest export market. China is our largest import partner,” said Chinh. “We must remain friends with all, and never side against anyone.” He restated Vietnam’s “Four No’s” defence principle: no military alliances, no foreign bases, no siding with one against another, and no use of force. Vietnam aims to deepen international cooperation while maintaining independence. Chinh noted, “We pursue a foreign policy of self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralism.” The emphasis is not only diplomatic, it reflects an effort to insulate the economy from global risks without retreating from globalization.

Self-Reliant Vision Rising with Resolve

As the dialogue closed, Prime Minister Chinh shared a line that struck a chord. He concluded with, “The greater the pressure, the greater the effort must be.” The country knows its challenges, climate vulnerability, global fragmentation, and rising protectionism. But it also knows its strengths. The vision of a self-reliant economy is not about isolation. It is about standing firm while embracing change. It means staying open to the world while anchored in history, people, and values. As Chinh put it, “Innovation begins with the right mindset. Momentum comes from within.” In Tianjin, Vietnam didn’t just share an economic strategy. It shared a message of belief in its people, in resilience, and in a future where self-reliance fuels global integration.