The scientific conference attracted scientists and managers from functional agencies of Hanoi National University, universities and research institutes nationwide, specialized agencies in localities (Nam Dinh, Hai Phong), and many students and postgraduate researchers. Among nearly 50 papers presented by scientists from various research and training institutions across the country, the conference discussed several reports on the theoretical basis and domestic and international experiences in local governance and development; and the current practice of local governance and development in Vietnam.
Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Giang - Chairman of the Science and Training Council, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, chaired the workshop.
Dr. Pham Duc Anh - Deputy Director in charge, Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development, Vietnam National University, Hanoi The term "local governance" emerged in the world around the 1960s, associated with the process of decentralization in many countries, and has become increasingly popular since the 1990s.
In Vietnam, national governance and local governance are relatively new approaches. The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (2021) identified the goal: "to modernize national governance towards efficiency." The socio-economic development strategy for the period 2021-2030 emphasizes "modernizing national governance, especially development management and social management." The Resolution of the 13th National Congress also affirmed the principle of "modernizing national governance towards efficiency and competitiveness." This marks the first time the term "national governance" has been officially used in Party documents. At the same time, one of the outstanding new points of the 13th National Congress documents is the emphasis on the requirement to strengthen people's participation in national and local governance in order to realize the viewpoint that "the people are the center and the subject of the renovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland; all policies and guidelines must truly stem from the lives, aspirations, rights and legitimate interests of the people, taking the happiness and well-being of the people as the goal to strive for."
It can be affirmed that the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party is the political basis and important orientation for continuing to improve and enhance the quality of organization and operation of local governments, meeting the requirements of national development in the new situation. The context of national renewal and increasingly deep international integration, the impacts of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are presenting many opportunities as well as challenges in national and local governance in Vietnam.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Suu - Head of the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
In his presentation titled "Local Development in Vietnam: Approaches, Practices, and Policy Suggestions," Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Suu, Head of the Anthropology Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, emphasized that local development is one of the levels of social development (international, national, and regional). Local development plans need to consider the local context, thoroughly analyze the capabilities and limitations of the locality; pay attention to the needs of the locality, and initiate the participation and collaboration of people, communities, and local authorities in the development process. According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Suu, each locality is a unique development space, therefore, a development approach appropriate to the context of each locality is necessary.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Suu proposed three methods for local development: encouraging development from below, with the locality as the center; selectively utilizing development from above, implying a recommendation for a state-led development model; and integrated development. The scientist from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recommended that local development should be interdisciplinary, exploiting the advantages of integrated development and harmonizing the interests of the people and the government in the process of economic, cultural, and social development.
Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, former Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presented three important aspects of local development.
Contributing his opinions at the workshop, Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, former Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and a leading expert on modern and contemporary Vietnamese history, presented three important aspects of local development. According to Professor Nguyen Van Khanh, it is necessary to develop a plan and mobilize all resources for development in a specific locality. To have a correct plan, it is essential to understand the economic, social, and cultural characteristics and conditions of that locality. Local development policies must be consistent with national development policies and must have a strategy for local linkages and expanded regional cooperation.
Associate Professor Vu Van Quan, Head of the History Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, stated that in local development and governance, it is necessary to identify the unique characteristics of each locality in terms of economics and culture in order to develop appropriate development strategies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Quan - Head of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
The workshop on local governance and development attracted many reputable scientists to participate in the discussions. The contributions of scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, brought new and comprehensive perspectives on local governance and development to the conference, contributing to the refinement of theoretical and practical foundations and policy recommendations for this specialized field.
Recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary expertise in local governance, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Head of Training at Hanoi National University, has proactively launched a Master's program in Local Governance, developed and administered by the Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences.
The content of the Master's Program in Local Government is built upon three fundamental knowledge blocks: knowledge of management science and public administration; knowledge of local studies, regional studies, and Vietnamese studies; and knowledge of management tools and methods (institutions, policies, technological platforms, etc.).
