Prime Minister writes about former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai

We respectfully introduce the article "In memory of Mr. Sau Khai, a technocratic, innovative leader, devoted to the country and the people" by Politburo member,Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In these days, when the country enters a new stage of development, deep integration with increasingly strong position and power, and constantly improving international prestige and position, we increasingly recognize the great contributions and merits of previous generations, including former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, dear brother Sau Khai - a leader with heart, vision, and profound and comprehensive innovation thinking.

Having been well-trained at the Plekhanov National Economics University of the Soviet Union and trained through many positions from local to central level, he has always been absolutely loyal to the Party's ideals, maintaining political courage and principles in his work but not being rigid but very proactive and flexible in his direction and management, ensuring that it is suitable to the conditions and practical circumstances in each period with the goal of bringing the highest benefits to the nation, the people, the country and the people.

Speaking of Mr. Sau, we cannot help but remember his great efforts and contributions as Prime Minister, helping to bring the country out of the Asian financial crisis, promoting the development of the business community and entrepreneurs, and promoting deep international integration through historic milestones such as the signing of the Vietnam-US Free Trade Agreement (BTA) and joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Stability and development:In the late years of the 20th century, in the context of being heavily affected by the Asian financial crisis, the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai reported to the Central Committee and the Politburo and made efforts to implement many policies to help our country's economy overcome difficulties and challenges, especially urgent solutions to both stabilize the macro-economy and stimulate investment and consumption, stop the decline and maintain a reasonable growth rate.

During the 2001-2006 period, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, including natural disasters and widespread bird flu, we focused on improving the investment and business environment, removing difficulties and obstacles, and creating favorable conditions for businesses of all economic sectors to develop. During his 9 years as Prime Minister, Anh contributed to laying a solid foundation for the sustainable development perspective and focused on the effectiveness and efficiency of policy direction and implementation, with specific evidence being an average annual GDP growth of about 7%, a stable macro-economy, controlled inflation, and public debt of no more than 50% of GDP. The orientations and solutions to remove difficulties, attract investment, improve the investment and business environment, etc. have become good experiences for the Government and future generations of leaders.

Openness and integration:Prime Minister Phan Van Khai left many profound impressions, contributing to creating important steps forward, qualitative changes in foreign affairs and integration. He closely directed the negotiation of the Vietnam-US Free Trade Agreement (BTA) from September 1996 through 11 rounds of arduous negotiations; on July 13, 2000, the BTA was officially signed, opening a new phase, promoting economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the United States.

Six years after the success of the BTA, implementing the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress on integration, the UK directed the acceleration of negotiations for Vietnam to officially become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). After more than 11 years of negotiations, on November 7, 2006, the WTO officially admitted Vietnam and since January 11, 2007, Vietnam has become a full member of the WTO. This is an important milestone in Vietnam's international economic integration process.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai had many successful foreign trips, contributing to strengthening foreign relations in politics, diplomacy, and economics, and bringing about opportunities in trade, investment, and attracting ODA and FDI resources for national development. He was also the first Vietnamese leader to officially visit the United States since 1975, opening a new era in relations between the two countries. Thanks to that, to this day, Vietnam has achieved success and stands in a different position in the global economy.

Business and Entrepreneur Development:As the head of the Government, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has shown his determination to build and perfect institutions, laws, mechanisms and policies to promote socio-economic development, especially submitting the Enterprise Law to the National Assembly for promulgation. This is the most fundamental and powerful reform step, untying economic development and creating momentum for the development of the private sector.

He also directed the official establishment of the stock exchange in 2000; at the same time, he focused on amending and perfecting the legal framework to make Vietnam more attractive to foreign investors, and to increase the mobilization of resources for national development. It can be said that he was the one who directed the "unleashing" of businesses, building institutions so that all people have the right to freely conduct business according to the law.

At the Conference with enterprises on February 9, 2006, through the practice of developing enterprises and forming a team of entrepreneurs, Anh clearly identified the need to arouse and promote patriotism, entrepreneurial spirit, liberate productive forces, promote the material and intellectual strength, and the spirit of the people, mobilize and improve the effectiveness of international cooperation. The decision to recognize October 13 as Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day clearly demonstrated Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's viewpoint of always accompanying and determined to create all favorable conditions for the development of enterprises and the private economic sector.

A "technocratic" leader, upholding the spirit of solidarity and unity: Looking back on Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's entire journey of dedication to the Party, the revolution, and the country, we see an innovative mindset, a profound economic leadership mindset, and a great personality from the British man, always valuing quality, efficiency, and substance, without being petty or impersonal.

In his leadership and management, he demonstrated a comprehensive vision and was always consistent in his goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Government and the entire state administrative system. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai always maintained the spirit of solidarity, gathering comrades and brothers to join hands and work together for the common cause of the country. He was always fair and objective in all work, criticizing localism and localism, especially in personnel work.

Clear assignment and assignment of tasks, always paying attention to directing and trusting comrades. His reform viewpoint also laid the foundation for reducing direct State intervention in specific economic activities, promoting the development of a socialist-oriented market economy associated with expanding freedom for enterprises; creating a foundation for the State to change its management method from "pre-inspection" to "post-inspection", organizing management and supervision according to the principles of publicity and transparency. The establishment of a Working Group to implement the Enterprise Law, reviewing the proposal to abolish 50% of "sub-licenses"; focusing on dialogue and listening to the opinions of people and enterprises are appropriate approaches that are being continued and effectively promoted until today.

He is a person who always knows how to listen to opinions and multi-dimensional criticism in all fields. He was the one who innovated the Research Team of Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and established the Research Board of the Prime Minister.

He is also a person who attaches great importance to inheriting previous generations and training and nurturing the next generation in the Government. When he was re-elected as Prime Minister by the 11th National Assembly in 2002, he said: "When taking office, I kept in mind to learn from my predecessors' experience in transferring tasks to the next generation, implementing a timely transition, ensuring stability and constantly improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Government's operations."

Closely connected with the people:Regardless of his position, always caring about the material and spiritual life of the people, always worrying about policies and strategies to protect the people's rights is the nature, natural style, and pure morality of the revolutionary soldier Phan Van Khai. He is always close, sincere, regularly visits, encourages, and listens to the opinions of the people across the country.

With that lifestyle, he led the Government to make important decisions on social security, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, support, create conditions, and encourage people to escape poverty, bringing a prosperous and happy life to millions of people, which was highly appreciated by the international community. He also paid special attention to training the young generation, focusing on nurturing and promoting human factors in terms of physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects, creating conditions for people to develop their great potential, considering it an inexhaustible resource of the country.

Full of courage and principles but also very close, simple, and kind, whether in office, holding important responsibilities assigned by the Party and the State or resigning or retiring according to the regime, he always lived in harmony and was loved and respected by everyone. In the years before his death, he brought many good things, calling for the construction of cultural, social works, and housing for the poor, practically serving the lives of the people. These were actions of profound humanity. He left behind endless sorrow for his family, friends, comrades and people about a beloved son of the heroic land of Cu Chi:

"For the country decided to leave when young

Love the village, please contribute in old age".

During meetings and conversations with those who worked closely with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, one of the special impressions that people often mention is the image of a very friendly leader, sharing memories full of comradeship and humanity. Deep and sincere, always thoughtfully encouraging and motivating, in any position, especially as the head of the Government, he has attracted and promoted the intelligence of many hearts and minds, contributing to the homeland and the country.

Farewell, Brother Sau, always remembering you, following your example, the Government and each member of the Government vow to strive with all their might, together with the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army, to continue building a strong and prosperous homeland and country, worthy of continuing the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and our nation that previous generations have passed down, including beloved Brother Sau Khai.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc

Member of Politburo, Prime Minister