Vietnam's participation in political innovation and international integration

Fan Thi Nhuan ORCID: 0000-0003-3928-7531 Postgraduate student of the Department of Comparative Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), Moscow, Russian Federation. 117198, Russia, Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 3 sindyphan@yandex.ru

Introduction

Political innovation is an alternative, general political innovation or an integral element of politics, including the renewal of political consciousness and political institutions, or the main innovation of ideology and political system. In Vietnam, political innovation is an important content of the comprehensive innovation of the country, initiated by the Communist Party of Vietnam at the VI Congress in 1986, along with economic, cultural innovations, as well as innovations in education.

International integration is a popular term in the world and in Vietnam. From the point of view of the State, international integration is a process by which a country participates in the general activities of the international community in accordance with the principles and standards recognized by the international community. But the choice of the direction, degree and path of integration is a subjective decision of each country in accordance with its specific interests and circumstances.

In 1990, the School of Pacific Studies of the Australian National University organized a conference entitled "Doi Moi: Vietnamese Renewal Policy and Effectiveness"^[14] to study social, economic and political circumstances. Changing values are common in Vietnam. The event was attended by more than 160 people, which indicates an interest in innovative issues of Vietnam. The conference materials showed that the second most populous country in Southeast Asia is quickly getting rid of the hardships of a painful and cruel past and is embarking on the path of rapid development and prosperity. In the research "International Integration of Vietnam: from Theory to Practice" (2014) to Son Hai ^[4], "International integration and the problems posed for Vietnam. Handbook" (2015) edited by Bui Thanh Son ^[1], "International integration of Vietnam. The problems posed to date" (2017) by Wu Zuong Ninh the authors believe that the process of globalization and international integration creates opportunities, as well as problems that the process of political innovation in Vietnam is facing today.

Based on this, the content of the article mainly analyzes and clarifies the relationship between political innovations, international integration and the problems posed in the modern period. In the first part of this article, the author focuses on clarifying the views of the Communist Party of Vietnam on international integration and establishing a dialectical connection between political innovation and international integration. In the next section, the author mentions the achievements and problems that have arisen in the practice of political innovation and international integration in Vietnam over the past time. At the end of the article, directions and solutions are proposed for further settlement of the relationship between political innovation and international integration in Vietnam to ensure political stability in the near future.

The relationship between political innovation and international integration in Vietnam

- The view of the Communist Party of Vietnam on political innovation and international integration

The Communist Party of Vietnam argues that political innovation is essentially a renewal of political thinking and a renewal of the party's political system. The renewal of thinking about the ruling party is the renewal of thinking and awareness of the leadership role. In the current exciting period of international integration, the main focus in updating the political system is on updating the organization and mode of operation of the components of the political system to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, compliance with the requirements of innovation and international integration, as well as fully using the factors of favorable opportunities to promptly solve complex problems of international integration.

Before the IX Congress in 2001, the document of the Communist Party of Vietnam mentioned only "internationalization", but did not mention "globalization". At the IX Congress of the Party, Vietnam mentioned "economic globalization" ^[9]. During the two terms of the IX and X Party Congresses, Vietnam emphasized "economic globalization" ^[5]. By the XI Congress of the Party (2011), Vietnam had moved from the perception of "economic globalization" to the perception of "globalization" ^[7]. The XII Congress of the party (2016) continued to assert: "The continuation of the development of globalization, international integration, the scientific and technological revolution, the knowledge economy" ^{[4, p. 8]}. The political report of the XIII Party Congress (2021) emphasized: "Globalization and international integration continue to develop, but face the growth of nationalism ..." (Report of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong: "Report of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party on the documents submitted to the XIII Party Congress).

- International integration regulates and influences political innovation

International integration is considered as a characteristic element of the socio-economic conditions of the modern era, reflecting the change in social life, and usually begins with international economic integration. This integration creates conditions for each country to use more external resources for the development of domestic productive forces. The development of productive forces inevitably leads to a change in production relations, a change in production relations inevitably changes the public infrastructure, inevitably changes the superstructure and public consciousness. The transformation of the superstructure is the transformation of the form of political consciousness, the rule of law and the corresponding political institutions, namely the state and the political party, or, in other words, political innovation. A change in public consciousness is a change in political consciousness, including political psychology and political ideology.

The external objective impact of international integration on political innovation can be positive and negative. International integration opens up new opportunities and opportunities for development, so that the process of political innovation can be understood and used to their advantage. However, international integration also brings challenges and difficulties that force us to solve and overcome issues of the process of political renewal. The internal objective impact of international integration on political innovation comes from the reality of the international integration process. If international integration is an active process supported by the ruling party or the State, and the degree of deep integration increases, the positive effects will be used and promoted, while the negative effects will be used and promoted in a limited way.

- Political innovations have relative independence and influence international integration

Political independence means self-determination of the country's goals and development path; independently plan development directions, activities and strategies; create and maintain political institutions themselves, do not accept any outside interference, resolutely defend the sovereignty and territory of the country, public order and security. Independence and political autonomy are reflected both in internal and external affairs, both in economic, cultural, social, and national defense and security... For Vietnam, the implementation of the open Door policy and the Import Association has created an open mechanism and an open environment for capturing and exploiting many great opportunities from outside, such as investment capital, markets, transfer of science and technology, information society and business, knowledge economy... However, the use of these favorable opportunities depends on subjective factors, such as the role of the leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the ability to govern the state.^[2]

Historical reality shows that a country's participation in international integration can be caused by internal or external reasons. The external reason is connected with the influence of economic development trends and changes in international relations, which forces this country to integrate for economic development and support peaceful diplomacy. Thus, the process of international integration of a country is fast or slow, success or failure depends on whether this country demonstrates an integration-receptive mindset or actively integrates. This shows that political innovation is an internal subjective factor affecting the process of international integration in two ways: hindering or stimulating.

Thanks to the implementation of the policy of "doi moi" — openness and integration, Vietnam successfully solved the problem of inflation and crisis after the first 10 years of "doi moi" (1986 — 1996). In the next 10 years (1996 - 2006) Vietnam has developed a market economy and international integration, accelerated industrialization and modernization, thereby emerging from a backward and underdeveloped state and becoming a country of average growth, albeit low average. In the last 10 years, from 2006 to 2016, reality demands that, with the development of a market economy and active integration into the world, great attention should be paid to solving social problems, ensuring the integrity of the country, synchronizing economic innovations and political innovations. ^[13]

Consequently, the relationship between political innovation and international integration is a dialectical connection between theory and practice, which are both unified and contradictory, simultaneously affect and complement each other, this factor is a prerequisite and condition for the development of another factor and vice versa, in which international integration is an objective factor outside the rules, affecting political innovation as opportunities, and with problems. Political innovation is an internal subjective factor determining the success or failure of international integration in the direction of its promotion or inhibition.

For Vietnam, by building an active and positive international integration policy based on upholding a foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, in the name of the state and the nation, in the name of peace, cooperation, development and implementation of an open foreign policy, multilateralism and diversification of international relations contributed to an ever deeper process of international integration, increasing the position and prestige of the country in the international arena. More than 35 years of innovation show that the Communist Party of Vietnam is following the right path of political renewal, openness and international integration and has created a new position and power for the country. "With all humility, we can still say: our country has never had such opportunities, potential, position and international prestige as it has today" (Speech by Secretary General and President Nguyen Phu Trong in the report of the CPV Central Committee of the 12th convocation on the documents presented at the XIII Congress of the CPV, January 26, 2021).

 Achievements and challenges

- Achievements

In the field of politics - diplomacy: So far, Vietnam has had diplomatic relations with 189/193 Member countries of the United Nations, including strategic partnership and comprehensive partnership with 30 countries, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Organization, members of the entire Group of Leading Industrialized Countries (G7) and all members of ASEAN. The Communist Party of Vietnam has established relations with 247 political parties in 111 countries, the National Assembly of Vietnam has relations with parliaments of more than 140 countries. Peoples' Friendship organizations have relations with 1,200 foreign people's organizations and public organizations (Compiled on the basis of data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam). Vietnam is actively and actively integrating into the world comprehensively, widely and effectively, is an active participant and a responsible participant in the common efforts of the international community. Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995; ASEM 1996; APEC in 1998; WTO in 2007; CPTPP 2018. Successful holding of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in 2006 and 2017; the second US-North Korea Summit in 2019… Vietnam will also assume the role of ASEAN Chair in 2010 and 2020; Twice elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2008-2009, the term 2020-2021.

In the economic sphere: Vietnam maintains trade relations with more than 220 partners; 71 states have recognized the Vietnamese economy as a market economy. He joined and had good relations with many leading organizations and mechanisms of economic cooperation and development, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). In particular, Vietnam has joined 15 free trade agreements (FTAs), including the "new generation" FTAs, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (VPTPP), the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA), the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership (VREP) (Generalized sources based on the results of the reports of the Government of Vietnam).

In the field of defense and security: At the bilateral level, Vietnam maintains defense relations with 80 countries, including world powers; has appointed Vietnamese defense attaches in 32 countries, and 45 countries have appointed defense attaches or work part-time in Vietnam. At the multilateral level, Vietnam has joined the ASEAN Regional Security Forum (ARF), Shangri-La Dialogue, ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM), ADMM+.. (Sources of reports on foreign defense activities of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam).

In the field of culture and society: Vietnam has signed many bilateral agreements on cultural cooperation with countries and international organizations such as Japan, Korea, China, the EU, ASEAN and the United Nations.

- The problem posed

How to implement political innovations in the context of international integration while ensuring and maintaining political stability? Political stability is a vital condition for a country to maintain its independence and sovereignty, demonstrating the stability and integrity of the existing State regime under the leadership of a political party. In Vietnam, political stability creates peace and prosperity for the country, promotes economic growth, develops social life, strengthens the leadership role of the party and strengthens the governance of the state, promoting folk art, expanding international cooperation and strengthening the national position.

In relation to political innovation, political stability is both a prerequisite and the goal and objective of political innovation. Since politics affects particularly complex and sensitive relations in society, political innovations must necessarily be based on very serious research and preparation, avoiding political instability leading to confusion. But this does not mean that political reform is delayed, especially in terms of organizational structure and personnel, relations between the party, the state and mass organizations, because this is a condition for promoting development, economic, social and democratic implementation ^[9]. Therefore, when conducting political innovations in the context of international integration, it is necessary to take into account the close combination of two tasks and two important goals, namely political innovation and political stability.

Resolving the relationship between political innovation in the context of international integration and ensuring political stability?

The 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (2021) was held in the context of complex domestic and international events, namely: globalization and international integration continue to develop, but they are also threatened by the growth of extreme nationalism, strategic competition, economic competition and a fierce trade war. The Communist Party of Vietnam has put forward a guiding point of view: Ensuring the highest interests of the nation - nation based on the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, equality, cooperation and cooperation. The combination of national strength with the power of time; to support the desire to be independent, independent, active, actively integrate and increase the effectiveness of international cooperation; to maximize internal resources, use external resources, in which internal resources, especially human resources, are the most important.^[8]

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world has plunged into a serious crisis in many aspects. The Fourth Industrial Revolution developed strongly, creating breakthroughs in many areas, bringing both opportunities and challenges for all countries. The Communist Party of Vietnam confirmed that in order to implement the strategic directions of national development in the period 2021-2030. Vietnam needs to continue to develop and regulate the basic relations well, including the relations between independence and international integration ^[8].

Thus, the relationship between political innovation and political stability is one of the main and important relationships that must be taken into account in the process of nation-building and defense. This is a dialectical connection between the conditions, methods and goals of development in the new conditions; if there is no innovation, there will be internal destabilizing factors; in fact, this is shown in many countries and even in Vietnam. Thus, the effective resolution of the relationship between political innovations in the context of international integration and political stability requires synchronous treatment with a certain content.

Solving the relationship between political innovation and political stability in relation to development creates driving forces for rapid and sustainable development in which people are at the center of both the subject and the goal of innovation and political stability. Therefore, it is necessary to build an institution capable of linking the rights, duties, responsibilities and interests of each person, family, organization, unit, community in the process of renewal and political stability, national interests.

Focus on active political cooperation in non-traditional security issues in accordance with orientation XIII The National Assembly of the Communist Party of Vietnam: "actively exchange information, coordinate research, exploitation, efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring environmental safety, water security, food security, energy security" ^{[8, p. 164]}. Develop programs and projects aimed at "expanding ties and promoting cooperation with political, social forces and peoples of other countries seeking peace, national independence, democracy, cooperation for development and social progress" ^{[8, p. 165]}.

Actively participate and promote a formative role, "taking leadership and mediation as a basis", in multilateral mechanisms; explore and participate in the creation and formation of political institutions, institutions, laws and standards; closely and effectively cooperate in bilateral relations. "International integration is a process of both cooperation and struggle; steadily defend national and ethnic interests; proactively predict, flexibly respond to all situations, not to fall into a passive, confrontational position; not to participate in gatherings of forces, alliances of one side against the other" ^[12].

To strengthen the propaganda and implementation of the party and state's policies and directions, the government's policy and strategy on the obligations of political integration; "to update the content and methods, increase the effectiveness of foreign propaganda, protect citizens and more comprehensively and decisively carry out the work of Vietnamese citizens abroad. To increase the courage, quality, abilities, professional style, innovation of employees working in the field of foreign affairs and international integration; to actively adapt to changes in the situation" ^{[8, p. 135]}.

The relationship between political innovation and international integration is dialectical; it is a big relationship that needs to be addressed synchronously and systematically in Vietnam. The achievements achieved in the innovation process, in the process of political innovation and international integration over the past time have confirmed that the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam is on the right track and corresponds to the time. In the coming period, Vietnam will continue to find solutions to strengthen its position in the international arena, creating a new position and strength for this country.