Communist Party of Vietnam | Marxism, market and nationalism - The Hindu

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The Evolution of the Communist Party of Vietnam

This article details the Communist Party of Vietnam's (CPV) transformation from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one while maintaining its communist leadership. It highlights the pivotal role of 'Doi Moi' (Renovation), a series of economic reforms initiated in 1986.

Economic Transformation: Doi Moi

The article emphasizes the devastating effects of the Vietnam War and subsequent policies on the Vietnamese economy. The CPV's shift towards 'Doi Moi' involved de-collectivization of agriculture, price liberalization, and the encouragement of private enterprise, leading to significant economic growth. Key achievements include a drastic reduction in poverty and a rise in the Human Development Index.

  • Poverty rate decreased from ~60% in the late 1980s to 1.9% in late 2024.
  • GDP per capita increased from ~$430 to $4,347.
  • HDI improved from 0.492 to 0.726.

Despite this progress, the article notes the emergence of inequality and corruption, prompting anti-corruption campaigns within the party.

Political Landscape and Leadership

The article notes the CPV's continued single-party rule and restrictions on political freedoms. The party's legitimacy is heavily linked to its economic success. The article highlights the CPV's commitment to collective leadership, contrasting it with the single-person dominance seen in other communist parties. The legacy of Ho Chi Minh, a key figure in the Vietnamese nationalist and communist movements, continues to shape the party's ideology.

Ho Chi Minh's Legacy

The article underscores Ho Chi Minh's crucial role in combining Vietnamese nationalism with Marxist-Leninist principles. His contributions to the anti-colonial struggle and the establishment of the Indochinese Communist Party are highlighted as foundational to the CPV's ideology and historical narrative.

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