A new era and human resource development

Education, and building an education system for the people and for the nation, is a matter of fundamental significance for the country, vital to every family, and decisive to the success or failure of society, both in the present and the future.

Human resources and talent are strategic national assets that determine a country's prosperity. Photo: Comrade Thai Bao, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Organization Commission, and Secretary of the Party Committee of Provincial Agencies, recently met with delegates at the Long Khanh ward Party Congress.

Renewing education and training approach

Should general education begin by training students to become responsible, mature individuals? Schools should serve as places for initial training, nurturing learners to become good citizens of a democratic society, rather than merely boasting about achievements or training academic "fighting cocks" for competitions, or even creating "puppets" only to serve the fierce competition of the  labor market later on.

Schools must be places of true equality, where all learners enjoy equal opportunities to develop their natural personalities, aspirations, and hidden talents. In other words, regardless of their different backgrounds or inherent abilities, every learner should  should be provided with the same opportunities and held to the same expectations for their outcomes.

With this in mind, the motto of education work should be guided by key principles: Equality – Respect – Fairness – Discipline – and Trust.

These words must underpin and guide all relationships guide and permeate all the complex, multifaceted, and delicate relationships, demanding great rigor: between students, among students and the class, between learners and teachers, between educators and institutions, between schools and families, and between and between the students, the schools, the family, and society, and vice versa..

Above all, we must have absolute faith in the potential of each learner.

Strictly adhering to the principle of 'ethics from school – self-reliance', from fair educators to dedicated learners. There’s a need to foster independent thinking from an early stage, starting in general education, gradually shaping proactive individuals with critical thinking skills, creativity, and a lifelong learning mindset.

Based on this philosophy, four aspects should be firmly grasped:

First, it’s necessary to thoroughly renew training mindsets. Education must shift from a degree-centric approach to one that values practical competence, creativity, and autonomy. Training should be tied to real-world problem-solving abilities, not simply geared toward passing exams or just obtaining certificates.

Second, focusing on building strategic human capital. This includes training a contingent for creating the new era: political and social leaders with theoretical vision, scientists with interdisciplinary mindset, business leaders with national vision, and citizens with digital competence, patriotism and a strong sense of responsibility.

Third, redesigning the entire education and training system. Education must be aligned with the nation’s sustainable development strategy and public policy priorities. It should prioritize real learning and practical application, allow for seamless transitions between academic levels, and link training with workforce needs.

Fourth, efforts should be made to rejuvenate education on a cultural foundation. Humans in the new era must be culturally grounded, intellectually resilient, and continuously creative. Leaders, managers, and experts must not suffer from technological illiteracy, critical thinking deficits, or cultural detachment.

Vision, development mechanisms, and the value of human capital

In the process of nation-building and defense, human resources and talents must be regarded as  national political matter. It is necessary to create the political geography of talent.”

On the whole, without reforming mindset, without making institutional innovation, and not building manpower to be ahead of the new era, Vietnam will not be able to enter the new era on its own terms.

Thus, a revolution in human resources and talent development must precede all others.

It’s impossible to rely upon the mindset and approaches of the outdated governance apparatus to train, identify, or make use of talents in the new context and conditions.

Hence, there’s an urgent need to make a comprehensive overhaul for a long-term vision, clear political commitment, and specific mechanisms.

Manpower and talents are strategic national resources and constitute one of the key factors determining a nation’s rise or decline, not merely a “serving workforce.” They are the outcome of an interconnected ecosystem of culture, politics, and education. Talents are not merely individuals with good expertise, but those having intellectual depth, political integrity, innovation capacity, and a commitment to national service. Talent can emerge from academia or from historical circumstances, meaning individuals from all social strata have the potential to contribute significantly if the nation knows how to seek for and empower them, talents are all the nation’s spirit and pillars .

A country cannot move faster than the intellectual stature and strategic mindset of its elite.

Without capable human resources and worthy talent, national strength cannot be realized. Talent must therefore be treated as a national political issue. In this regard, it is essential to develop a geopolitical framework for cultivating and honoring human capital. In building a high-quality workforce as part of a national strategy, the top priority must be given to establishing a mechanism for selecting and employing capable individuals, especially talents. At the heart of this effort lies a core team of political leaders, administrators, technocrats, strategists, scientists, and ethical, innovative, and courageous entrepreneurs, individuals who uphold honor and embody cultural integrity. Moreover, this must be accompanied by the creation of a modern public service ecosystem, one that promotes equality, civility, and respect for human dignity, both within Vietnam and in harmony with the international community of nations.

Accordingly, policies on human resource and talent management should be regarded as a matter of national ethics, not merely   administrative privileges.

Principles and approaches in selecting and employing talents

The task of selecting and employing human resources and talents cannot be resigned to conventional administrative mechanism.

In terms of principles:

This must be placed in the framework of  national strategy and viewed from four key perspectives.

It is necessary to select individuals who are both virtuous and talented, yet virtue should not be confused with passivity. It’s difficult for a mediocre administrative system to employ talents unless it fundamentally changes its mindset and organizational principles.

Selection must be based on merit, not on personal background. Structure and background should not be overemphasized; what matters is how to choose individuals capable of getting the jobs done, not how easy a person is to control. The system must open institutional doors to talent both within and beyond the public sector, both inside and outside the country.

High-quality human resources and talents must be placed where they can truly shine. Any talented individual, if not placed in the right position, risks becoming either ineffective or a potential risk. The core principle is clear: for the right job, at the right time, and at the right level.

Talent must be protected from factionalism, jealousy, and narrow institutional frameworks. Talented individuals often think independently, speak frankly, and act decisively, traits that may lead to isolation. While they are experts with political courage and national commitment, they are not necessarily “obedient” or “easily managed.” The State must protect them as it would safeguard the vital sources of renewal and innovation.

In terms of approach:

Recruiting talent should follow clear standards, not public opinion, and employing capable individuals should not aim to simply fill seats, but to break through bottlenecks and generate progress.

This philosophy can be summarized in key words: Openness – Equality – Substance – Respect.

• Openness means expanding recruitment spaces and standards, without being bound by outdated systems.
• Equality demonstrates equal opportunities, without favoritism based on connections or familiarity.
• Substance requires genuine evaluation, focused on actual work performance, not merely on resumes.
• Respect means valuing people over degrees, outcomes over processes, and individuals over positions.

Dr. Nhi Le, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Review

Translated by M.Nguyet-Thu Ha

(To be continued)