Strengthening and expanding international cooperation, contributing to improving the capacity, prestige, and position of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in the new context

ASSOC. PROF., DR. DUONG TRUNG Y
Vice President of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

1. Expanding international cooperation: An inevitable and objective necessity
In recent years, the activities of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, particularly its international cooperation efforts, have taken place in a context of both favorable conditions and intertwined challenges at home and abroad. These include
changes in the international environment, such as increasingly intense and expanding strategic adjustments and competition among major powers; increasingly complicated geo-political instability; the significant impacts of Industrial Revolution 4.0; and the effects exerted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The international community has to deal with huge challenges such as traditional and non-traditional security, particularly cyber security, financial security, energy and water security, food security, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics as well as new forms of conflicts and wars, etc. However, peace, cooperation, and development remain the dominant trends in international relations. Globalization and international integration continued to advance rapidly, with cooperation going hand in hand with fierce struggle and competition to protect the legitimate rights and interests of countries. The above mentioned factors have exerted multi-dimensional impacts, creating not only opportunities but also challenges for the cause of renovating and developing Vietnam in general and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in particular.

In the inevitable context of globalization and international integration, as a national center for the training and development of leaders and managers, and for scientific research on political theory, leadership, and management, as well as policy advice and consultation for the Party and State, the Academy’s promotion of international cooperation is an objective necessity. This area of activity is particularly important as it contributes to improving the quality and efficiency of implementing the Academy’s functions and tasks, while also enhancing its potential, prestige and position in the country, the region, and the world.

At the 70^th Anniversary celebrating the Academy’s illustrious tradition (in 2019), Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary and President of the State emphasized: “The Academy must strive to become a modern school that integrates internationally, yet maintains its distinct identity, etc. The Academy needs to focus on expanding and improving the quality and effectiveness of international cooperation in order to selectively absorb the world’s achievements and experiences in training and fostering senior personnel as well as in scientific research, particularly political science, leadership science, and advanced management”(1). In implementing the instructions of the General Secretary and President, the Academy has proactively established viewpoints, objectives, and strategic orientations for international cooperation in both training and scientific research, policy advice and consultation for the Party and State, enhancing the capacity of its staff and faculty, and modernizing its facilities, etc.

With its important position and role in Vietnam’s political system, in addition to the role of Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of Politburo, President of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, the Academy has increasingly attracted the attention and cooperation of international partners. These include international organizations such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank (WB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB); the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); the Temasek Fund under Singapore Global Investment Group, etc., and major partners such as embassies, academies, universities, research institutes, Think Tank organizations in many countries, political parties in the region and the world, particularly in major and developed countries, countries with special relations, strategic partnerships, comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam, and so on. In implementing its assigned functions and tasks, the Academy has proactively, f lexibly, and promptly adjusted its programs, and methods of international cooperation, determining that international cooperation is an task important task in the training of cadre, scientific research, and policy advisory work.

2. Perspective, vision, and strategic objectives for international cooperation

To meet the demands of its mission in the new context, with the objective of building and developing the Academy to a higher level, the Academy has formulated the “Development strategy of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics until 2030, vision to 2045”. The objectives, perspectives, mission and vision, aiming for the Academy to become a leading national center with a high reputation in training and developing mid - and senior-level leaders and managers by 2030 and 2045, following the direction of “modern, integrated, and highly reputable in Asia and globally.” This vision is based on 5 core values of “Consistency - Renovation - Exemplarity - Service - Development”. This is an important task, requirement, and premise to promote, expand, and strengthen international cooperation for the Academy in training and fostering cadres, conducting scientific research, and providing policy consultancy.

The Academy’s international cooperation efforts are seen not only as crucial contributions to deepening the vision, goals, and core values mentioned above, but also as essential for spreading and concretely demonstrating these core values through international cooperation activities in training and development, scientific research, and policy consultation for the Party and the State.

Direction perspective

First, international cooperation is an important activity within the functions and tasks of the Academy as stipulated in Decision No. 145-QD/TW dated August 8th, 2018 issued by the Politburo on the functions, tasks, rights, and organizational structure of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics: “International cooperation in training and fostering cadres and implementing scientific research with international organizations, training and scientific research institutions of other countries, communist and workers’ parties, progressive forces, political parties and ruling parties in countries throughout the world”(2).

Second, the Academy’s international cooperation must be performed in compliance with the perspectives, guidelines, and policies on foreign affairs of the Party and the State, for the benefit of the country and people. These activities must thoroughly understand the fundamental and comprehensive issues established in principles, goals, approaches, major orientations, and specific foreign affairs tasks as outlined in the 2011 Platform and the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress.

Third, international cooperation is the responsibility of all entities, particularly the Academy’s Party Committee and Presidential Board, who must promote the roles and responsibilities of cadres and party members. In which, the Academy’s Party Committee and Presidential Board should pay attention to and create conditions to implement cooperative activities. The International Cooperation Department should properly promote its role in consulting and effectively managing the system, being active and proactive in developing and expanding the scope and fields of cooperation while organizing activities efficiently. The affiliated units must adhere to the regulations issued by the Party, the State and the Academy in international cooperation activities.

Fourth, solutions to promote international cooperation activities must be implemented in a synchronous, effective and systematic manner under the motto “leveraging external resources to serve internal development”. Timely innovate and improve institutional documents on international cooperation to ensure consistency in the implementation process of regulations issued by the Party and the State, preventing duplication in guiding circulars issued by ministries, branches, and authorities. Take advantage of the attention and support from central leadership, ministries, sectors, and localities, while enhancing the leadership, direction, and facilitation of the Academy’s Party Committee and Presidential Board. Strengthen coordination and proactive efforts from the Academy’s subordinate units in proposing and implementing international cooperation activities.

Objectives

First, contribute to improving the capacity, quality, and effectiveness of the Academy implementing its functions and tasks in training, fostering, and performing scientific research, as well as its roles of providing policy advisory and recommendations. This, in turn, contributes to enhancing the Academy’s position and reputation in the country, region, and the world.

Second, contribute to propagating the Party’s perspectives and guidelines, as well as the State’s policies to the international community. Through international forums, conferences, seminars, delegation exchange activities, exchanges between experts, and experience sharing, the Academy’s international cooperation serves as an important diplomatic channel to promote the propagation and dissemination of Vietnam’s achievements in implementing the guidelines on national renovation and development. It also shares knowledge on political institutions, promoting the excellent values of Vietnamese culture, land, and people to international friends, thereby enhancing the understandings, building trust and strengthening political credibility between Vietnam and other nations in the region and the world.

Third, contribute to improving the capacity and quality of the Academy’s staff and lecturers, especially leading scientific experts with professional qualifications, capable of meeting the demands of integrating and working in an international environment. T hey should have visions and strategic thinking, be proficient in foreign languages, and possess the ability to apply advanced and modern global technologies in research and teaching, and so on.

Fourth, contribute to promoting the application of advanced science and technology as well as modernizing the Academy’s physical and technical facilities. T hrough programs, projects, and international cooperation activities, applying advanced knowledge, skills, and experience from the world, along with the support of international partners to accelerate the process of building a smart Academy, modernizing facilities, and digital infrastructure. This aims to help the Academy meet international standards as a leading teaching, learning, and research environment in the nation and region, and to fulfill the requirements of international integration in the current context.

Mission and vision

International cooperation plays a decisive role, making important contributions to realizing the Development Strategy of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics by 2030, with a vision to 2045. The goal is to become a leading and highly reputable national center for training and fostering high- and middle-level leaders and managers, as well as political theory scientists of the Party and the State. It aims to be the leading national center for scientific research on Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, research on the Party’s guidelines and policies, State’s policies and laws, and political theory, leadership, and management sciences. Additionally it serves as a strategic advisory body for the Party and the State embodying the distinct characteristics of the Central Party School, while gradually integrating, modernizing, and developing to achieve great prestige and status in the region and the world.

3. Key achievements of international cooperation activities from 2019 – 2024

Firstly, expansion in scale, number of partners, and areas of cooperation

Building on previous achievements, during 2019-2024, international cooperation activities have been strengthened with a focus on diversifying forms, content, and partners. Efforts have been made to establish relations with reputable training facilities from the countries in the region, and across the world. International cooperation activities have been constantly expanded and developed in both breadth and depth.

The Academy has continued to consolidate and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities with our traditional partners: China’s Central Party School, the Lao National Academy of Politics and Administration, the Central Party School of the Communist Party of Cuba, JICA, KOICA, and international organizations such as the UN, UNDP, WB, ADB, UNWomen, etc.; It has also expanded both the scale and content of cooperation, creating all conditions necessary to establish and connect with many international partners, including political parties, ruling parties, states’ agencies and organizations, governments’ organization, research institutes, universities, and international and regional organizations.

The Academy has particularly focused on connecting and establishing relationships with many new partners, including reputable and prestigious universities and research institutes from many countries across the world, international organizations and NGOs, such as The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Saint-Petersburg University; Indiana University, Harvard Kennedy School (USA), Academy of Public Administration under the aegis of the President of the Republic of Belarus; International Institute of Social Studies (Netherlands); Japan National Personnel Authority, South Korea National Human Resources Development Institute (NHI), University of Wollongong (Australia), Swinburne University of Technology (Australia). It has also developed and implemented many international programs and projects with partners from Australia, Japan, Singapore, ADB, etc. To date, the Academy has relationships with over 200 international partners from 60 countries and territories.

A highlight over the past 5 years (2019 - 2024) were the nature, level, and scale of many international cooperation activities which have risen to a new height typically: Notable examples include overseas delegations led by senior Party and State leaders, such as comrade Professor, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo Member, President of the National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theory Council, who led delegations to Russia and Estonia (2019); Laos, Japan, Germany, and Israel (2022); China, South Korea, Australia (2023); the United States of America (2024), and so on.

International cooperation in recent years has promoted systematicity and synchronization, strengthening connections and providing support to provincial and city political schools and affiliated Academies. 3 national-level forums were conducted, creating online connections for 59/63 provinces and cities with the participation of the Prime Minister, many leaders who are members of the Party Central Committee, leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, and Secretaries/Deputy Secretaries, and Chairs/Vice Chairs of provinces and cities(3). A series of 15 ministry-level workshops were held as part of the Local Development Forum Project in collaboration with Indiana University, USA.

Through several programs and projects with international partners, new centers were established: The International Knowledge Sharing Center (2021) and the Vietnam - Australia Center (2022). T hese two centers have the function and task of promoting, expanding, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the Academy’s cooperation with international partners in many fields, including training and fostering cadres, implementing scientific research, and providing policy consultancy and recommendations to Central and local-level authorities.

Secondly, increasing the number of sent and visiting delegations as well as exchange activities

Despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020-2022, the expansion of international cooperation continued to develop. The entire Academy system organized 45 to 55 outbound delegations per year, with 350-400 participants per year. It welcomed about 100 to 120 visiting delegations per year, involving 400-500 participants, in various forms. Among them, 35 - 40 visiting delegations per year focus on work and exchanges; 40 - 50 visiting delegations per year organized conferences, seminars, and discussions; About 30 visiting delegations per year implemented training and fostering courses. Additionally, the Academy organized more than 100 international guest reception activities each year, with over 300 participants coming to exchange and work at the Academy and its affiliated units. The Academy also hosted courtesy meetings with ambassadors, embassies, international organizations, and international partners, as well as academic exchanges with international experts from countries such as the UK, France, Germany, the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Venezuela, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the EU, WB, UNDP, ADB, etc..

The number of outbound delegations increased sharply, with a variety of formats and levels of delegation. In 2022, the Academy coordinated with the Central Foreign Relations Committee, the Party Central Committee Office, and other Central authorities to organize 14 delegations abroad. In 2023, international cooperation activities saw a resurgence, marked by notable results. The Academy organized 48 outbound delegations with more than 300 staff members and received over 50 inbound delegations(4).

The number of inbound delegations continues to grow, reflecting the commitment and attention to the Academy by international partners. Many high-level delegations from countries and international organizations have visited the Academy, including high-level delegation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the delegation of the Communist Party of Cuba, Presidents of National Assemblies of Cuba and Mozambique, The First Vice President of the PSU Party - President of the Constitutional Assembly of Venezuela, Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretary of Dominican Republic’s United Left Movement (MIU), Commander of the US Pacific Air Force (PACAF), the President of the Australian Senate, etc. In addition, the Academy has welcomed many delegations of experts, and scholars from China, Japan, France, the USA, Australia, etc., who have given thematic presentations to the training courses for cadres studying to be strategic-level officials and provided thematic lectures to cadre development courses and classes, as well as advanced political theory classes.

Numerous diplomatic activities were also carried out, including meetings with various foreign partners, high-ranking leadership delegations from countries that have a strategic partnerships with Vietnam, and potential partner countries, and received courtesy visits from ambassadors of countries such as: the UK, France, USA, Russia, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Australia, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, South Korea, India, Israel, Germany, the 4 Nordic countries, the Netherlands, and Mozambique. Representatives of international organizations such as the Chief Representative of JICA, Director of KOICA, Vice President of WB, Vice President of ADB, the Boston Global Forum, FES Institute, etc., were also received; Additionally, a friendship exchange program was organized with the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration of Laos on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, etc.

Thirdly, results of international cooperation in training and fostering cadres

First, actively and effectively serving the training and fostering of leaders and managers

International cooperation activities in the period of 2019-2024 made an important contribution to the training of high-and-middle-level leaders and managers for our political system. For the training courses for potential Central Committee members, the Academy invited experts, scholars, and ambassadors from countries such as Japan, South Korea, the UK, France, the U.S., Thailand, Singapore, and India to teach and deliver specialized reports for these classes. In 2023, the Academy organized 24 training courses and specialized lectures, with active participation from international experts for 3 training classes aimed updating knowledge for the members of the 13th Party Central Committee as well as several leadership development and advanced political theory classes(5). In 2024, through several cooperation programs with China, Japan, and Australia, the Academy invited international experts to give thematic presentations, share, and exchange their experiences on leadership and management at the training classes for cadres planning to be members of the 14th Party Central Committee. The Academy also collaborated with international organizations to arrange multiple study tours and short-term training programs in Japan, South Korea, the UK, Singapore, and Australia for the training classes of reserve cadres.

Through cooperative programs and projects with international partners (Samsung Group - South Korea/VOSP, Vietnam - Australia Center project, cooperation with KOICA, JICA, ADB, UNDP, etc.), the Academy invited dozens of experts (from the USA, Australia, Japan, China, France, etc.) to perform thematic exchanges at professional fostering classes and advanced political theory classes. Within the framework of the Vietnam - Australia Center project, the Academy organized 9 extracurricular specialized lectures, presented by Australian experts for professional development classes, advanced political theory classes, and for the Board of Directors of political schools, as well as the leaders and lectures at the Academy).

Second, contributing to the renovation of content, programs, and teaching materials

A notable highlight is that, within the framework of the professional development classes and the advanced political theory classes (class A), the Academy organized an extracurricular seminar taught directly in English by international experts from the USA, Japan, Australia. The seminar was successfully implemented and highly appreciated for its effectiveness.

International cooperation activities have actively contributed to renovating the Academy’s content, programs, and teaching materials. The Academy developed and promulgated the Advanced Political Theory and Administration Program Framework for the cadres of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (a 5-month course). Additionally, it developed 3 program frameworks, detailed outlines, and lecture sets to foster political theory for the cadres of countries cooperating with the Academy in training and development, including Cambodia, Angola, and Mozambique. In 2022 and 2023, the Academy revised the curriculum framework, and by 2024, it completed compilation of high-level, middle-level and elementary political theories textbooks for the cadres of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Within the framework of Project 1309(6) during the period of 2019 - 2022, the Australia Human Rights Commission supported the Academy in implementing several important tasks, including organizing nationwide training courses on human rights education content and methods for education management officials and lecturers, and translating several specialized books on human rights into Vietnamese.

In 2022, within the framework of Project 979(7), the Academy developed and introduced the “Program of Fostering and Updating Professional Knowledge on Foreign Relations for Leaders of Laos” in its curriculum.

Thanks to the support provided by international partners, some new scientific disciplines were introduced: Comparative Politics, Methods of handling political situations, Eastern-Western Philosophy, Geopolitics, Sociology of management leadership, Population and development, Human rights, Gender and development. These contribute to renovating and diversifying the training and fostering programs for cadres.

Third, serving the training of leaders and managers for partner parties

The task of training leaders and managers for partner parties, particularly for the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, is identified as one of the Academy’s important political responsibilities. During the 2019 - 2024 period, the Academy continuously expanded the scale, subjects, and objectives in its training for Laos. On average, 6 short-term (2-month training) courses on foreign relations, lecturers at political schools, organization, propaganda, inspection, etc., were organized annually.

The Academy in collaboration with the Central Mass Mobilization Commission, the Central Organizing Commission, and The Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, organized many training classes for the cadres of Lao Party and State. In 2022, 07 training classes were launched to update knowledge for the lecturers and cadres of provincial party committees, with 105 students participating; 01 training class was launched for exchanging experiences on mass mobilization with the Central Committee of the Lao Front, with 30 students participating; Some research classes and thematic exchanges were launched for cadres from central and local departments, ministries, branches, and authorities.

Fourth, in scientific research and policy consulting

The Academy has strengthened scientific research cooperation and collaboration activities with international partners. In addition to its traditional partners, the Academy’s scientific cooperation has been expanded to the countries and organizations in Africa, the Americas, and Latin America. Many collaborative scientific research activities have carried out, such as: studies within the framework of the “Local Development Forum” project in cooperation with US partners during the period of 2019 - 2021; implementing the project “Conducting research and developing a map of Vietnam’s industries” in cooperation with Australia during the 2022-2023 period; a series of research projects for “The summary of 40 years of renovation” in Vietnam within the framework of the Vietnam - Australia Center project in 2023 - 2024; research on provincial gender index between the Vietnam Center for Gender Studies and Women’s Leadership (GeLEAD) and the Sydney University of Technology in 2023 - 2024; the project of “Strengthening human rights research and education in Vietnam’s national education system” in cooperation with the Australia Human Rights Commission in 2023 - 2024; and a research cooperation project with Japan in 2024, etc.

As a national center for political theory research, leadership and management sciences, and policy consultancy, each year the Academy organizes 40 - 50 bilateral and multilateral forums and seminars, discussions, information sharing, and thematic academic exchanges with the participation by a large number of scientists working for the Academy and other organizations, within the country and abroad, meeting the practical requirements. The results of these programs, projects, and workshops with international partners provides scientific arguments and practical basis, contributing to advising and developing reports and policy recommendations. Notably, the “Local Development Forum” project develops policy recommendation reports for 13 provinces/cities, and supports 13 provincial/city political schools in achieving scientific research standards. The Vietnam - Australia Center project developed a Set of documents for the summary of 40 years of renovation in Vietnam, and the collaboration with the Australia Human Rights Commission provided effective assistance for implementing Project 1309 on integrating human rights content in the curriculum of the national education system, etc.

Fifth, international cooperation in developing and enhancing the capacity of cadres and lecturers

Under the sponsorship of many international partners (China, Japan, South Korea, USA, Australia, UNDP, ADB, etc.), dozens of the Academy’s cadres and lecturers, along with those from the provincial political schools are appointed to participate in short- and medium-term training courses abroad each year. Within the framework of the cooperative project with Australia and partner ADB during the 2020-2023 period, the Academy organized dozens of training and development programs to improve their capacity (strategic leadership skills; supporting women in leadership; training for university teaching qualification for lecturers; triple training on strategic analysis and analytical report formulation skills; Study Mission courses in Australia, Philippines, and Laos). Many of the Academy’s cadres participated in the training courses by the Center for Strategic Security Studies in the Asia-Pacific region, sponsored by the US; the “Leadership in the AI era: Skills for leaders in the public sector” forum (2024), sponsored by the Korean National Institute of Human Resource Development, among others. Additionally, thanks to sponsorship by new partners, many of the Academy’s cadres are sent to participate in master’s and doctoral training in various countries, including Japan, Hungary, China, Australia, UK, Sweden, Philippines, Thailand, the USA, etc.

4. Some strategic orientations for international cooperation in the coming years

First, continuing to supplement and develop the International Cooperation Strategy

Develop the International Cooperation Strategy of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics up to 2030, with a vision to 2045 aligned with the Strategy for training and fostering leaders and managers in Vietnam’s political system. Expand international training programs for the cadres of our partner parties and students from partner countries. Develop a strategy for international cooperation in theoretical research, scientific research on leadership and management and other scientific disciplines, with the goal of making the Academy a leading national scientific research center. By 2030 the goal is to become one of the high-ranking strategic consulting institutions in Southeast Asia, with regional and global recognition. It should have a team of prestigious scientists, experts, and scholars on par with others in the region and the world, and these people should have their scientific works and research products published internationally. Develop an international cooperation strategy for the work of consulting and advising the Party and the State on national construction and development guidelines and international integration.

Second, continue to promote international cooperation activities for training and fostering cadres

With the motto “leveraging external resources to serve the internal targets”, promote international cooperation activities that both promote internal strengths and take advantage of external resources, international cooperation activities for training and fostering cadres. The strategy for international cooperation should closely follow the Academy’s Overall strategy for training and fostering leaders and managers of all levels, effectively coordinating with the tasks of Project 587, Project 979, Project 1309, and Project 621, focusing on renovation of the teaching content, programs, and materials of the Academy, to ensure a fundamental, modern, and integrated approach. T he strategy will incorporate advanced global teaching methods and skills, and introduce new topics and courses into the Academy’s curriculum. Continuous renovation and improvement in the quality and effectiveness of the Academy’s training and fostering work will contribute to developing a force of Vietnamese leaders and managers who are capable of integrating and working in an international environment. Furthermore, the Academy will continue to renovate, supplement, and perfect the existing training and fostering programs for leaders and managers, and political theory science cadres for international students. It will also strengthen and expand training and development programs, thematic exchange programs, and practical research for many subjects, classes, and courses for our partner countries and parties.

Third, promote and diversify international cooperation activities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of scientific research, and consultancy on guidelines and policies

Align the International Cooperation Strategy to the Academy’s Scientific Research Strategy, to contribute to renovating and improving the quality of scientific research. T his will serve as the foundation and a decisive factor in enhancing the quality of the Academy’s training and development programs for cadres. It will also spread the good values of the country and the Vietnamese people to our international friends, while combating wrong and hostile views. This cooperation will provide scientific evidence for the Party and the State to formulate guidelines, policies, and strategies for developing and protecting the Fatherland. Additionally, it will develop the Academy’s faculty, especially leading scientific experts with strong professional expertise, modern scientific methods and work styles, proficiency in foreign languages and technology in research and teaching, and the ability to work in an international environment. T he Academy will continuously renovate and diversify the forms of international scientific cooperation, organizing international conference, forums, and seminars in accordance with the Academy’s practical requirements. It will also increase expert exchanges, joint research collaborations, international publications, and the organization of international academic forums.

Fourth, encourage and create conditions for research institutes and affiliated academies to proactively expand international cooperation activities

Promote the role of affiliated academies and specialized institutes in supporting, connecting, and expanding international cooperation with global partners, ensuring consistency and a systematic approach in the Academy’s foreign relations. International cooperation will strengthen support for specialized institutes, faculty members, and researchers, providing opportunities for them to access new and advanced global knowledge. They will also be able to participate in academic forums and international networks of reputable experts and scholars in the region and the world, improving their professional expertise, foreign language skills, and equipping them with the ability to work in an international environment.

Fifth, continue to tap into and enhance the cooperation potential of traditional partners, while expanding new partnerships in accordance with the Academy’s functions and tasks

In line with the foreign policy of the Party and the State, and making the most of international support and cooperation, the Academy’s international cooperation efforts should continue to promote its existing strengths and advantages. It must continuously enhance renovation and expand the scope and fields of cooperation, as well as explore new methods and forms of cooperation. The Academy should proactively seek out and expand new partnerships and develop cooperation proposals in training and scientific research.

Sixth, build and develop a team of cadres capable of working in an international environment In the context of Industrial

Revolution 4.0, international cooperation must focus on improving the capacity for integration and working in an international environment for the cadres of the Academy system and the political schools in the provinces and cities. At the same time, effort should be made to improve the ability to develop, implement, and operate international research projects and programs of leaders, managers, experts, and scientists by increasing knowledge-sharing activities, academic exchanges, and collaboration. It is important to give attention to and providing adequate investments in medium- and long-term plans in fostering, training, and developing cadres, lecturers and scientists with strong political theoretical qualifications and professional abilities on par with the mission, meeting the requirements of international integration.

5. Conclusion

From 2019 - 2024, the Academy’s international cooperation activities have been implemented in compliance with the Party and the State’s policies on foreign affairs.

The Academy’s outstanding achievements in international cooperation have not only developed in breadth, but also in depth. While the primary form of cooperation in the past was focused on exchanging research delegations and sharing experiences, the Academy’s international cooperation has now reached new heights. It has proactively cooperated and promoted the effectiveness of cooperation to improve the quality of training, scientific research, cadre development, and the enhancement of the Academy’s reputation not only domestically but also in the region and the international levels.

The results of the Academy’s international cooperation with its partners over the years have played a crucial role in helping the Academy fulfill its important responsibilities in scientific research, policy advisory, and the training and development of leadership and management cadres at various levels for Vietnam. As a result, the Academy’s reputation has been increasingly enhanced domestically and internationally, affirming its position as a national center for training, fostering and researching political theory, as well as consulting and providing recommendations on planning policies and guidelines. This has contributed to enhancing Vietnam’s “international capacity, position and reputation” in the world.

Received: August 24, 2024; Revised: August 26, 2024; Approved for publication: August 30, 2024.

(1) Refer to: The speech of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong at the 70th Traditional Anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (1949 - 2019).

(2) Refer to: Politburo: Decision No. 145-QD/TW dated August 8, 2018 on the functions, tasks, rights and organizational structure of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

(3) Seminar “Recovering the economy, flexibly and safely adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic, overcoming economic disruption, strengthening the connections between localities” (in 2020); Seminar “Orientation for connecting and developing the Northern midland and mountainous region until 2030, with a vision to 2045” (in 2021); “2021 dialogue on local development: Implementing development objectives in the new normal status” (2021).

(4), (5) Refer to: Summary report for 2023, mission and directions for 2024.

(6) Project “Introducing human rights contents into the curriculum of the national education system” under Decision No.1309/QD-TTg dated September 5, 2017 by the Prime Minister.

(7) Project “Renovating the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics’ contents and program of training and fostering leaders and managers for the period 2021 – 2026” under Decision No. 979/QD-TTg June 21, 2021 by the Prime Minister