Teacher Sùng Thị Say helps her first-grade students in the mountainous northern province of Tuyên Quang. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — The third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, held in Hà Nội from July 20 to 24 under the chairmanship of Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, outlined a long-term strategy to build a harmonious and sustainably developed society, placing people at the centre of development while improving quality of life and strengthening social cohesion.

Associate Professor Vũ Tuấn Hưng, director of the Institute of Social Sciences for the Southern Region and co-chair of the Mekong Delta Research Institutions Alliance, said that the third plenum reaffirmed a strategic principle that will guide Việt Nam's development in the new era: pursuing rapid growth while ensuring sustainability, with people serving as the centre, driving force and ultimate goal of development.

“The approach goes beyond economic policy, representing a comprehensive development philosophy that reflects the Party's evolving thinking on human development as the country enters an era of digital transformation, deeper international integration and renewed growth models,” he said.

Discussing measures to realise the vision of a harmonious, civilised and sustainable society, Hưng said that the top priority is to embed the principle of people-centred development throughout the entire policy-making and implementation process.

All development strategies and programmes should focus on improving quality of life, fostering comprehensive human development and ensuring balanced progress across the economy, culture, society and the environment, he said.

Institutions should continue to be modernised and streamlined, with citizens and businesses placed at the heart of public service delivery.

Effective national governance must be founded on transparency, accountability, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making, he added.

Stronger coordination among the State, businesses, social organisations and citizens is also essential to build consensus and harness the collective strength of society in policy formulation and implementation.

At the same time, developing a highly skilled workforce should remain a strategic priority.

As science, technology and artificial intelligence continue to transform production methods and social governance, Việt Nam needs to invest more heavily in education, training, science and technology while building a robust national innovation ecosystem.

Particular attention should be paid to enhancing digital skills, creativity, adaptability and lifelong learning so that workers are equipped to meet the demands of the knowledge-based and digital economy.

Hưng also called for further improvements to the country's social security system, making it more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable.

Alongside expanding social insurance, health insurance and employment support policies, he said new mechanisms are needed to protect vulnerable groups from the impacts of population ageing, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics and technological disruption.

Development must go hand in hand with ensuring equal access to essential public services and narrowing development gaps between urban and rural areas, regions and population groups, he said.

Balanced, green and smart regional and urban development should likewise be prioritised.

He noted that urbanisation must be underpinned by integrated planning, synchronised infrastructure development, environmental protection, climate resilience and improvements in living conditions.

Policies should also promote stronger regional connectivity, enabling localities to make better use of their comparative advantages while ensuring balanced development across economic regions, particularly key growth areas such as the southeast and the Mekong Delta.

Hưng further emphasised the growing role of the social sciences and humanities in research, forecasting and policy advice.

Rapid social changes are creating new challenges, including population ageing, AI-driven labour market transformation, digital inequality, migration, changing family structures and social governance in the digital environment.

He said the social sciences should take the lead in identifying emerging trends, providing scientific evidence and proposing policy solutions that promote balanced economic growth, social progress and human development.

Hưng expressed his confidence in the country's future, adding that the goals set out by the Party are both achievable and realistic.

Their successful implementation would enable Việt Nam to not only sustain strong economic growth, but also build an inclusive, humane and sustainable society, laying the foundation for the country's aspiration to become prosperous, powerful and happy by the middle of the 21st century.

Tourists join the inter-ethnic exchange festival at the Việt Nam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Khánh Hòa

Strengthening social cohesion

Hưng also underscored the importance of harnessing culture as an endogenous resource and a driver of sustainable development.

Culture not only reinforces national identity, but also strengthens soft power and social cohesion, he said.

According to Hưng, Việt Nam should continue developing a national value system, cultural values, family values and standards for Vietnamese people in the new era.

Efforts should also be intensified to preserve cultural heritage, develop cultural industries and foster a healthy cultural environment in both the physical and digital spheres.

Associate Professor Nguyễn Đức Chiện, deputy director of the Institute of Sociology and Psychology under the Việt Nam Academy of Social Sciences, said building a civilised and harmonious society is determined not only by economic growth, but also by people's access to development opportunities, quality of life and the strength of social cohesion.

Economic growth is a necessary condition, but by itself is insufficient to create a civilised and sustainable society, he said.

More importantly, every citizen must enjoy equitable access to development resources and share in the benefits of the country's renewal and growth.

He called for continued efforts to improve public access to essential services and reduce inequalities in education, healthcare, employment, culture and, in particular, digital infrastructure.

These are decisive factors in enhancing individuals' capabilities and enabling broader participation in the modern economy.

Priority investment should be directed towards remote and disadvantaged areas, ethnic communities and localities facing persistent socio-economic challenges to narrow regional disparities.

Chiện said that reducing development gaps is not merely an economic task, but also a social imperative.

“When everyone has the opportunity to develop, access quality basic services and participate equally in economic, cultural and social life, the foundations are laid for a harmonious, humane and inclusive society in which no one is left behind,” he said.

As for the social impact of digital transformation, Chiện said it is fundamentally reshaping every aspect of modern life.

Technology has also facilitated the emergence of online communities, promoted knowledge sharing, encouraged innovation, strengthened interaction and reinforced social cohesion.

However, the process also presents considerable challenges.

The widening digital divide remains a growing concern, particularly for vulnerable groups with limited access to technology or inadequate digital skills.

Without inclusive digital access, disparities in technology could evolve into broader inequalities in development opportunities.

Impoverished households, ethnic communities and older people may consequently face even greater difficulties.

At the same time, the digital environment and social media have contributed to the spread of misinformation, online fraud, breaches of personal data and inappropriate online behaviour.

Such problems risk eroding public trust, fuelling social scepticism and weakening interpersonal relationships.

Overreliance on digital devices may also reduce face-to-face interaction within families and communities, undermining family bonds and broader social cohesion.

Chiện noted that for digital transformation to genuinely serve people, a comprehensive package of measures is required.

These include expanding digital infrastructure and ensuring affordable access to technology for all; and improving digital literacy, media literacy and responsible online behaviour across society, particularly among young people, older adults and low-income groups.

Strengthening the legal framework on personal data protection, cybersecurity and the accountability of digital platforms for harmful content and promoting digital ethics, digital culture and responsible citizenship online will also be necessary.

Above all, digital transformation must remain firmly anchored in a people-centred development philosophy, he said.

Technology should be used to improve quality of life, expand development opportunities and strengthen social cohesion, rather than simply maximise productivity or economic efficiency.

When digital transformation is guided by humanistic values, ensures equitable access and reinforces public trust, it will provide a solid foundation for building a safe, civilised and sustainable society. — VNS