HÀ NỘI — Czech journalist Pavel Herman has released a book titled Việt Nam – Past, Present and Future, expressing the author’s view on the country’s history, culture, people, and landscapes.

In the first part of the book, Việt Nam – Hidden Charm, Herman introduces the country’s basic characteristics such as its natural features, climate, political system, and economy, and also touches on the topics of culture and religion.

Herman writes that the Việt Nam Central Communist Party has taken a leadership role in the cause of protecting, building, and developing the country. He also expresses admiration for the personality and revolutionary career of President Hồ Chí Minh, who the Vietnamese have nicknamed “Uncle Hồ”.

The next chapter, called Việt Nam – Country of Sea and Island, consists of the author’s research on the country’s sea and island features, as well as their importance in the sea strategy of Việt Nam.

He notes that the Communist Party and Việt Nam as a state take great care of its sea strategy to turn the country into a strong nation that efficiently takes advantage of its aquatic resources to boost the economy while securing its maritime territory.

In the book, Herman also uses legal and historical evidence, including dozens of ancient maps, to confirm that the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes belong to Việt Nam.

With regard to conflicts in the East Sea, Herman writes that even as the area has been a hotly-contested area in the global map, the construction of man-made islands and militarisation of the area by China violated international law and increased tensions in the region, posing a serious harm to peace and stability in the East Sea.

Herman also writes that because ensuring peace, stability, safety, and free maritime and air traffic over the East Sea is extremely important, the nations involved in territorial disputes in the area should solve conflicts through peaceful means based on international law.

In a chapter titled, Việt Nam – Renewal, Integration and Development, Herman writes that the Việt Nam Communist Party made the right choice in implementing the renewal policy since 1986.

“In more than 30 years of applying the renewal policy, Việt Nam has realised many important achievements in economic development, improving people’s lives, ensuring social security, and enhancing the legal system,” Herman writes. “This is an important foundation for Việt Nam to implement policies on multi-orientation, diversifying international relations, and integration."

The author also claims that Việt Nam has gained prestige and boosted its position in world politics.

Herman notes the long diplomatic relationship between Việt Nam and the Czech Republic, which has strengthened over the past decades as a result of visits by high-ranking leaders, enhanced economic and trade relations, and significant co-operations in culture and education.

Herman also writes about his appreciation for the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, describing them as eager to learn and hardworking.

“Doing research on the socialist model in Việt Nam and comparing it with previous and present models in other countries is an interesting topic especially because Việt Nam has succeeded in applying the renewal policy,” Herman told a Vietnam News Agency reporter. “In addition to that, I also wanted to provide Czech audiences with a multi-angled view on the on-going conflict in the East Sea.” — VNS