Vietnam Pushes Shift to 'Creative Labor' for New Development Phase

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has called for a fundamental shift from “simple labour” to “creative labour”, describing it as the core objective of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57 and a key driver of Vietnam’s next development phase. This policy shift signifies Vietnam's ambition to move beyond its long-standing role as the "world's factory" driven by manufacturing, towards a more value-added and innovation-led economic model. Vietnam has already built a highly open economy, with cumulative registered foreign direct investment (FDI) nearing $550 billion USD and over 46,000 active projects. However, the focus is now shifting from attracting labor-intensive industries to transforming the economic structure to prioritize research and development, high technology, and intellectual property. Party General Secretary To Lam urged the entire Party and political system to fully grasp and effectively implement the Party Central Committee's new strategic decisions. He stressed that every resolution must be translated into practical, accountable action programs tailored to each ministry, sector, and locality. This aims to ensure consistent execution at all levels of national development under the Party's leadership. Vietnam is also working to enhance its international presence, launching a nationwide competition to design the official logo and visual identity for APEC Vietnam 2027. Furthermore, the country aims to establish its first UNESCO Creative City of Photography as early as 2027. These initiatives highlight a focus on nurturing cultural and creative industries, positioning them as essential components of national development alongside economic growth. Additionally, Vietnam is exploring potential cooperation with Indonesia in artificial intelligence (AI) and the semiconductor industry. This suggests Vietnam's accelerated push into advanced technology sectors and its efforts to expand its role in global supply chains. These diverse initiatives can be interpreted as part of a comprehensive national strategy for Vietnam to evolve from a mere manufacturing hub into a developed nation centered on innovation and creativity. Source: VietnamPlus English