Vai trò đội ngũ trí thức Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh trong gia đoạn hiện nay (2)

VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

BIEU QUOC THANG

THE ROLE OF THE INTELLECTUALS OF HO CHI MINH
CITY IN THE CURRENT PERIOD

Major: Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism
Major code: 62 22 03 02

DOCTORAL DISSERTATION SUMMARY

HANOI - 2017


The doctoral dissertation is completed at:
GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Scientific Supervisor: Assoc. Prof., DSc Luong Dinh Hai

Reviewer 1: Prof.Dr Le Van Quang
Reviewer 2: Prof.Dr Nguyễn Ngọc Long
Reviewer 3: Prof.Dr Dương Xuân Ngọc

The thesis will be defenced in the Commission for doctoral thesis evaluation of
the Graduate Academy of Social Sciences
At……………. on…………. 2017

The thesis can be found at:
The National Libary of Vietnam

The Library of the Graduate Academy of Social Sciences


LIST OF PUBLISHED WORKS OF THE AUTHOR
I. Scientific papers
1. Bieu Quoc Thang (2014) “Ho Chi Minh City brings into play the role of the
itellectuals in the period of promoting industrialization and modernization”, The
Review of Science, No.2, p. 39-45.
2. Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “The role of the intellectuals of Ho Chi Minh City Union of
Science and Technology asscociations in the Renovation period”, The Review of
Propaganda, No3, p 42-45.
3. Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “The scientific research activities in the Ho Chi Minh City
University of Industry” The Review of Education Management, No 71, p. 56-59
4. Truong Van Tan, Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “The requirements for teachers in the Cause
of fundamental and comprehensive renovation of tertiary education in Vietnam today”
The Political Review, No 1 + 2, p. 133-139.
5. Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “Development of high quality human resources answering the
demands of the transformation of the economic model of Ho Chi Minh city in the
current period”. The Processing of the City level Conference “Development of high
quality human resources to meet the demands of the restructuring of the economy of Ho
Chi Minh city”, p. 219- 226.
6. Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “To brings into play the role of the itellectuals in the Cause of
Renovation and International Integration”, The Political Review, No. 7, p. 52-56.
7. Bieu Quoc Thang (2015) “To the understanding of the conception of Intelligence”, The
Review of Human Resource Development, No 6, p. 21-26.
8. Lai Quang Ngoc, Bieu Quoc Thang (2016) “The reality and solutions to promote
the quality of the lecturers of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry”, The
Education Review, No 388, p. 21-24.
9. Bieu Quoc Thang (2016) “Ho Chi Minh thougth on the role of the Youth in the Revolution
Cause”, The Review of Development of Human Resources, No, 1, p. 17-21

10.
Bieu Quoc Thang (2016) “Ho Chi Minh City and the development of high
quality human resources to meet the demands of renovation of economic model”
The Review of Party Building, No 3, p. 18-20 and 62.
11.
Bieu Quoc Thang (2016). “Factors influencing the creative capabilities of the
Vietnamese intellectuals today”, The Political Review , No 3, p. 33-37 and 42
12.
Bieu Quoc Thang (2016) “To identify the present Intellectual”, The Review of
Human Studies, No3, 68-77.
II. Scientific Research
1. Member of the Ministerial level scientific research “Promotion of the effect of
private-public cooperation in the building of infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh city”.
Code B15-20. Evaluated date: May 29, 2016, Result: Average
2. Member of the Ministerial level scientific research “Development of high quality
human resources in Vietnam today: requirements and solutions”. Code B20132014. Evaluated date: Sept 19, 2016, Result: Good.


1

INTRODUCTION
1. The urgency of the research theme
The scientific and technological revolution has transferred humanity
from an industrial economy to a knowledge economy, from using natural
resources, capital, cheap labor workforces to using intelligence, knowledge
as the engine and driving force for the quick and sustainable development of
each country. Therefore, it is of strategic importance for each country to
invest into people’s intellect, to build a strong intellectual resource efficiently
to integrate the country into the new development trend of the era.
As for Vietnam, a country who is in a transition period to socialism

with a low starting point without passing the phase of capitalist
development and with much damage left from the two wars. Being aware
of the trend of the era and the reality of the country, the Communist Party
of Vietnam has clearly stated: it is necessary to make use of different kinds
of resources, especially, for a country with limited financial and material
resources such as ours. Therefore, to avoid not falling behind, and to
quickly develop into a modern industrial country, it is required that we
promote efficiently the totality of all resources, among those are the
intellectuals, which constitute especially important resource. Thus,
promoting the role of the intellectuals to develop our country, take us to a
deserved place in the world stage is one of the most urgent requirement for
Vietnam nowadays.
Concerning Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), from Doi Moi until now, the
intellectuals have constantly grown and contributed to the development of
the city. However, under the demand to be “together with the country, for
the country”, “go first, arrive first” in the process of modernization and
industrialization and with the goal of building HCMC into a civilized,
modern city of high living standard, an economic, financial, commercial,
scientific and technological center in the region; the contribution of the
intellectuals is not of the same level of other cities in the region. Hence,
analyzing deeply, objectively, and systematically the role of the
intellectuals in the transformation period, based on that analysis, proposing
scientific solutions to promote more efficiently the role of the intellectuals,
so as to meet the requirements of development and integration of HCMC
and the whole country is an urgent mission more than ever.
All said, I decided to choose the theme: The role of the intellectuals
of Ho Chi Minh city in the current period for my PhD dissertation, I hope
to clarify and contributes my understanding to some theoretical and
practical issues raised today.

2

2. The purpose and tasks of the disseration
2.1. Purpose: Based on reasoning to clarify the role of HCMC’s
intellectuals in the transformation period, the dissertation will propose
some solutions in order to promote the role of the intellectuals in the
future.
2.2. Tasks: Aside from literature review, the dissertation focuses on
accomplishing the following basic tasks:
First, to clarify some theoretical issues on the intellect and the role of
Vietnamese intellectuals in the transformation period.
Second, to analyze to point out the accomplishment, limitations and
the problems toward fulfilling the role of HCMC’s intellectuals.
Third, to propose some basic solutions in order to promote the role of
HCMC’s intellectuals more in the future.
3. The theoretical foundation and research methodology
Theoretical foundation:the dissertation approaches the issue from the
angle of social philosophy and is based on the theory of MarxismLeninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, the view of the Communist Party of
Vietnam on the role of the intellectuals.
Research methodology: based on dialectic materialism and hisotirical
materialism, the dissertation combines different methodologies such as:
analysis and synthesis, the unity of the historcal and the logical, induction
and deduction, statistic and comparative methods, abstraction and
generalization.
4. Research subject and scope
Research subject: the dissertation focus on role of HCMC’s
intellectuals toward the development of HCMC in the transformation time.
Research scope: HCMC’s intellectuals – who are living and working
for social-political organizations, of all economic components in HCMC

from Doi Moi until now.
5. Contribution of the dissertation
First, the dissertation contribute to the clarification of the role of
HCMC’s intellectuals in the transformation period based on the analysis of
their accomplisments and limitations.
Second, the dissertation points out and analyzes the limitations in
promoting the role of HCMC’s intellectuals since Doi Moi.
Third, the dissertation proposes certain solutions in order to promote
more efficiently the role of HCMC’s intellectuals in the coming time.
6. Theoretical and practical contribution of the dissertation
Theoretical contribution: the dissertation helps clarify some theoretical
issues with regards to conceptions and characteristics of intellectuals,


3

factors that influence the role of Vietnamese intellectuals; characteristics
and reality of the role of HCMC’s intellectuals in the new era.
Practical contribution: the results of the dissertation can be use as
references for the manegerial officals of all levels in HCMC in promoting
the role of intellectuals in the time of strengthening industrialization,
modernization; it could also be used as reference to teaching, researching
with contents related to intellectuals.
7. Structure of the dissertation
Besides the preface, conclusion, references list and appendix, the main
body of the dissertation is structured into four chapters with 12 subsections.
Chapter 1
OVERALL REVIEW OF RESEARCH WORKS RELATED
TO THE THEME
1.1. Overseas and domestic research works related to the

dissertation
1.1.1. Research works on the conception, characteristic, role and
factors influencing the role of Vietnamese intellectuals.
Overseas research: In almost every country, intellectuals have been
studied for a long time. In these works, the authors have clarified the
importance of paying attention to the work of training, selecting, using,
compensating, appointing, etc., for the talented and intellectuals to
develop. For example, Tham Vinh Hoa and Ngo Quoc Dieu: “Respecting
the intellectuals, respecting the talents, a hundred year long-term vision to
build a strong nation”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi,
2008; the collective of authors: “On Russian intellectuals”, The National
Politics Publishing House, Hanoi,2009, etc. Besides, there are many
studies which don’t directly mention the intellectuals, but this theme is slid
into the research. For example, Lee Kwan Yew: “Lee Kwan Yew’s
Collection of 40 years of political essays”, The National Politics
Publishing House, Hanoi,1994; Okuhina Yasuhiro: “Japanese politics and
economics”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi,1994; Nghiem
Ngan Than: “Discovering and using talents”, The National Politics – Truth
Publishing House, Hanoi,2012, etc. The results from those works are
valuable as references for the author of this dissertation.
Domestic research: Broadly speaking, there are a few research works
mention the concept, characteristics, point out the role and factors
influencing the role of Vietnamese intellectuals. For example, Pham Tat
Dong “Vietnamese intellectuals: the reality and potentiality”, The National


4

Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995; Nguyen Thanh Tuan: “ Some
issues regarding Vietnamese intellectuals”, The National Politics

Publishing House, Hanoi, 1998; Nguyen Khanh Bat and Tran Thi Huyen:
“Building the intellectuals in an era of strengthening the cause of
industrialization, modernization according to Ho Chi Minh’s thought”, The
National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 2012. In a narrower sense,
there are works focus on the intellectuals in specific fields such as: Do Thi
Thach: “Promoting the force of Vietnamese woman intellectuals in the
Cause of Industrialization and Modernization”, The National Politics
Publishing House, Hanoi, 2005; Le Quang Quy: “Intellectuals in Architect
in a changing time”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006;
Ngo Thi Phuong: “Intellectuals in Vietnamese social sciences and
humanities in the process of transformation” The National Politics
Publishing House, Hanoi, 2007, etc. Although, there have been some
results through researching the contents including the conceptions,
characteristics, role, influencing factors to the role of Vietnamese
intellectuals, however, those contents are not unified; some research focus
too much on emphasizing the particular characteristics or aspects, thus
overlooking other aspects; or analyzing the role of intellectuals too
broadly, thus having made clear the noble mission of this class of people.
Therefore, in this dissertation, the author will continue to clarify and
analyze the problems above.
1.1.2. The outstanding works on the reality of the role of Vietnam
and HCMC’s intellectuals
Regarding the reality of the role of Vietnamese intellectuals, there are
famous works such as: Nguyen Van Khanh, Nguyen Quoc Bao: “ Some
issues concerning Vietnamese intellectuals”, The Labor Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2001; Nguyen Van Khanh: “Intellectuals with the Party in the
liberation and building of the Nation”, The Press Agency Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2004; Nguyen Dac Hung: “ Vietnamese intellectuals entering into an
era of integration”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 2009;
Dam Duc Vuong: “ The reality and solution in cultivating Vietnamese

intellectuals for the Cause of Renovation”, The National Politics Publishing
House, Hanoi, 2014; etc,. Those works have shed light on the reality of the
role the intellectuals play in the period of national liberation and in the
process of renovate the country. The success of those works will be the
basis for the author in analyzing the reality of the role the HCMC’s
intellectuals play in a period with deeper and more complete change.
Regarding the role of HCMC’s intellectuals, the outstanding works
including: Nguyen Quoi: “HCMC’s intellectuals and the problems of


5

intellectuals building socialism”, Journal of Sociology, No.4, 1989;
Truong Van Tuan: “The reality concerning HCMC’s intellectuals and
solutions to develop intellectuals to renovate the country and integrate
internationally”, The Review of HCM University of Education Science,
No.7, 2012; Vu Duc Khien: “Studying the situation of HCMC’s
intellectuals in the process of industrialization and modernization”, The
Review of Human Resource Development, No.2, 2013; etc. To a certain
extent, those works have clarified the role HCMC’s intellectuals have
played in the era of Renovation. However, the majority of those works are
limited to a generalized, statistical level; they have not explored the issues
in depth to systematically point out the accomplishments, limitations, or
raise problems the intellectuals are facing. Therefore, those areas are
where the author will focus on this dissertation.
1.1.3. The outstanding works concerning the solutions for
promoting the role of Vietnam and HCMC’s intellectuals
Regarding the solutions for promoting the role of Vietnamese
intellectuals, there are: Nguyen Quoc Bao, Doan Thi Lich: “ The
intellectuals in the process of renovating the country”, The Labor

Publishing House, Hanoi, 1998; Pham Tat Dong: “Orientation for
developing Vietnamese intellectuals in the Cause of industrialization and
modernization”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 2001;
Nguyen Dac Hung: “Vietnamese intellectuals and the requirement of
developing the Nation”, The National Politics Publishing House, Hanoi,
2005; Dam Duc Vuong: “The reality and solution of cultivating
Vietnamese intellectuals in the country’s renovation”, The National
Politics Publishing House, Hanoi, 2014; etc,. Those works have proposed
some solutions to promote the role of Vietnamese intellectuals. They will
be the foundation for the author of this dissertation to build the solutions to
a more promotion of the role of HCMC’s intellectuals in the coming future.
Concerning the solutions for promoting the role of HCMC’s
intellectuals, there are: Nguyen Quoi, “HCMC’s intellectuals and the
problem of Viet kieu intellectuals come back and work in HCMC in
international integration era”, The Journal of Sociology, No.4, 1989; Tran
Van Phuong: “The ability to attract and the reality of using Viet kieu
coming back and working in HCMC in the process of development and
integration”, Research project of Institute level, Institute of Developmental
Research HCMC, 2009; Truong Van Thuan: “ HCMC’s intellectuals in the
period of industrialization and modernization of the country”, The Review
of Human Resource Development, No.2, 2009; Nguyen Vo: “ 5 years of
implementing Decision 27-NQ/TW of the HCMC municipal party


6

committee, the first transitions”, Party Building Notebook, No.12, 2013;…
although those works have proposed some solutions, these solutions are
superficial. Therefore, the dissertation will analyze this problem in more a
detailed and systematic way.

1.2. Scientific value of the works related to this dissertation and
the problems the dissertation will continue to clarify
1.2.1. Scientific values of the general works
First, concerning the intellectuals and Vietnamese intellectuals, there
are different viewpoints about intellectuals, however, there have been
some “criteria” that have been supported by majority of the researchers
working on these problems: intellectual is a social stratum, laboring using
the intellect and creativity, holding high educational level, bearing
responsibility concerning the development of society, etc. The majority of
researchers claim that in all eras, intellectuals always have a deciding role
toward the prosperity and advancement of each nation, each society. Many
scientists have pointed out the limitations, weaknesses, opportunities,
challenges of Vietnamese intellectuals: specialized knowledge, creative
ability, language ability, IT, international law, etc. Many works also point
to some influencing factors and propose the direction and solution for
promoting the role of the intellectuals in our nation.
Second, concerning HCMC’s intellectuals, the authors all agree that:
HCMC’s intellectual is a part of Vietnamese intellectuals, always
accompany and work for the cause of nation building and liberation. There
are some works that assess and predict the trend and movement of
HCMC’s intellectuals in the Renovation era. Although, they mostly only
stop at the level of generalization and listing, many have propose the
direction and solution to promoting the role of HCMC’s intellectuals.
1.2.2. Issues that the dissertation will focus to clarify
First, concerning the conceptions and characteristics of intellectuals,
the influencing factors toward the role of Vietnamese intellectuals, agreed
with the view of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the dissertation will
analyze in depth some basic characteristics of the intellectuals in order to
distinguish with other classes in society. Moreover, the dissertation will
focus on analyzing the typical roles of Vietnamese intellectuals nowadays.

Regarding the influencing factors on Vietnamese intellectuals, there has
not been any research articulate these problems in full details. Therefore,
the dissertation will analyze these influencing factors based on the research
done for this work.
Second, concerning the characteristics of HCMC’s intellectuals, there
have not been works focuses on the characteristics and the role of


7

HCMC’s intellectuals in depth from a philosophical point of view. As a
result, the dissertation will focus on this issue based on: first, general
analysis on HCMC. Second, to point out and analyze some characteristics
of HCMC’s intellectuals. Third, to analyze and prove in depth the
accomplishments and limitations in fulfilling the role of HCMC’s
intellectuals in a changing era. Fourth, to point out and analyze some
remaining issues in fulfilling the role of HCMC’s intellectuals. Fifth, to
propose some solutions in order to promote more efficiently an active role
of HCMC’s intellectuals in the coming future.
Chapter Summary 1
The works mentioned above have contributed greatly to clarify the
theoretical and practical issues concerning Vietnamese intellectuals in
general and HCMC’s in particular. On the one hand, the literature review
allows the author to inherit the lessons and results from previous works; on
the other hand, it provides necessary information for the author to gain a
clear understanding of the issues, the aspects where previous works have
not fully explored.
Chapter 2
THEORETICAL ISSUES RELATING TO INTELLECTUALS AND
THE ROLE OF VIETNAMESE INTELLECTUALS

2.1. Conception about and characteristic of intellectuals
2.1.1. Conceptions of intellectuals
First, the view of Marxism and Leninism on intellectuals, according to
the founders of Marxism-Leninism, intellectuals are a special social
stratum, fully specialized in complex intellectual works, with high
educational level, represent the contemporary intellect. Intellectuals also
think independently, are highly creative, they are the main workforce in
spreading and applying knowledge in order to develop the entire society.
Second, Ho Chi Minh’s thought and conception of the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) on intellectuals, according to Ho Chi Minh,
knowledge is understanding. The intellectuals have to use knowledge and
understanding to serve the people, the nation, together with the people
liberate and build an independent nation so as to bring freedom, prosperity,
and happiness to the people.
For the CPV, since its beginning, the important role of the intellectuals
toward the revolution had already realized. However, at first, because of
various reasons, the understanding of the intellectuals of some Party leaders
was distorted and detached from reality. This issue then was later improved;
after which, many intellectuals were able to develop their role in nation


8

liberation. Transitioning into the Doimoi period (Renovation period), our
Party has always cared about the building and promotion of the
intellectuals, prioritizing the role of creativity, innovation and social critique
of the intellectuals in socio-economic construction and development.
Third, other conceptions about the intellectuals, besides the dictionary
definitions, based on different research methods, some other authors have
drawn up their own conceptions of the intellectuals which stress criteria

such as: complex intellectual work, high educational level, creative
scientific work, specialized knowledge, sensitive to changes, moral, brave,
social responsibility.
In this dissertation, the author basically agree with the conception of
the Communist Party of Vietnam that intellectuals are brainworkers, with
high educational level on certain specialized area, have an ability to think
independently, creatively, are able to spread and enrich knowledge, create
products that are valuable for society. As such, this definition has covered
quite comprehensively the target, raised the characteristics of intellectuals;
in which, the definition has pointed out the labour products of the
intellectuals have a bigger content than other conception. Given these
reasons, the dissertation believes that this is the most comprehensive
definition.
2.1.2. Basic features of intellectuals
First, they are brainworkers, this is a type of labour that requires the
subjects to develop a high level of thinking in order to generalize and
abstract so as to understand scientifically and systematically all objects and
phenomenon. With this type of labour, the labourers have to expend much
of his central nervous energy, because this type of labour often bring about
scientific knowledge, theoretical knowledge, cultural values, in which,
there is so much “gray-matter.”
Second, they are able to think independently and creatively. Thinking
is a process of understanding rationally; it is a high level of human
understanding. Intellectuals are those with an ability to go deep into
research to grasp an understanding the properties, the relations, the nature
and discover the governing laws of the movement an development, from
there on, develop the concepts correspond to different aspects and relations
to construct of the objects. In nature, it is a creative activity of the
intellectuals to discover the nature of the world. To act like that, it is a
requirement that the intellectuals have a creative thinking ability, which

means, they can think out of the box, beyond the dogmas, independent of
the old ideas, they have to always think, be curious, ready to discover the
new, the suitable, the optimal so as to meet the demand of certain


9

historical circumstances. This creativity is not for everyone, it always
appears, usually, as the seeds, and accumulate and grow through
education, experience, and the inspiration from research, discovery,
expression or emotion. This is the most typical and basic characteristic of
the intellectuals.
Third, the intellectuals are those with high level of education and
specialty. With the special type of labour, the intellectuals must have high
level of education, at least a university degree. As a consequence,
compared with the average of the society, intellectuals are those with
higher education. However, in reality, there are those with less education
but create much more for society, and get acknowledged as the real
intellectuals. There are people with university degree, or higher but their
labour do not employ the brain or creativity, they don’t have an
independent mind; those people are not consider intellectuals, they are
only half-intellectuals. As such, the qualifications are only necessary
conditions but not sufficient conditions for a person to become an
intellectual. In addition, the intellectuals are also those with high level of
specialty, deep specialized knowledge.
Fourth, the intellectuals create the intellectual products that have high
value toward society. The intellectuals often use their intellect to create
intellectual products which hold high value for society. Those products
possess a high level of gray-matter, they have an ability to predict and
influence widely the society, they are high in sincerity, inherited from the

old ideas but more complete, have an individual marks, often exist as an
intellectual form. Those products all strive for the value of sincerity,
goodness, beauty, bringing happiness to the people, pushing society
toward progress, though they can be of direct or indirect influence.
Fifth, the intellectuals spread and apply knowledge into reality.
Spreading knowledge is a process of popularizing scientific results of the
intellectuals into the society. This is a demand, and the responsibility of the
intellectuals. The true intellectuals must bring their knowledge and
understanding and apply into reality, to serve the people, and promote social
development. If they could not do it, they are only considered someone with
a high degree but can’t be considered a true intellectual. On the other hand,
the process of spreading and applying knowledge is the foundation of the
formation of creative, scientific knowledge and cultural value.
Therefore, to distinguish between the intellectuals and other classes in
society, we need to based on the above characteristic. However, the
intellectual is a historical concept, thus, those above characteristics are
only relative and generalized.


10

2.2. The role and factors affecting the role of Vietnamese
intellectuals
2.2.1. The role of Vietnamese intellectuals
The role of Vietnamese intellectuals can be explored from different
angles, however, the dissertation only focuses on the basic content such as:
First, the intellectuals provide the scientific arguments for policy
making process of the Party and the State. With a high level of creativity,
high responsibility with the people and development of the country,
through deep research into Marxism, Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought,

the advanced ideas of humanity, organizing independent research, survey,
examination, conference, etc., the intellectuals have been providing
scientific arguments for the Party and the State to create policies for the
development of our nation.
Second, the intellectuals develop a high quality workforce to meet the
requirements of pushing the cause of industrialization and modernization
of our country. They are the main workforce for the creation and spreading
of knowledge, through activities such as: construct curriculums, direct
involvement in teaching, editing, publishing syllabus, learning documents,
research, supervision, internship, etc., the intellectuals have contributed to
the education and training, improving the specialized knowledge, technical
skill, politically reasoning skill for a high quality workforce.
Third, the intellectuals research to create, apply and transfer science
and technology to pushing the cause of national industrialization and
modernization. With a high level of education and specialty, the
intellectuals have studied deeply to create a system of scientific and
technological knowledge. Furthermore, they also apply the science and
technology values, the innovation to become material for production;
transfer the achievements of science and technology to organizations and
individuals in order to upgrade the resources and means of production,
contribute to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of production,
modernize the society.
Fourth, the intellectuals help build an advanced Vietnamese culture,
rich in national identity, through researching, the intellectuals have created
products of cultural and artistic values. In addition, the intellectuals also
contribute to the preservation and introduction traditional cultural values;
receiving the high culture of humanity; identify, analyze and refute the
conspiracies, distorted arguments of the enemies to protect the
foundational thought of the Party.
Fifth, the intellectuals act as social critics to contribute for refinement

of policies and laws of the State and the Party. With an advantage of


11

specialized knowledge, a sensitivity toward the changing era, through
social critiques, the intellectuals have given arguments, evidences, pointed
out the reasonable and feasible parts as well as the unreasonable parts so
that the Party and the State can refine their policies and socioeconomic
development proposal; those policies and proposals then could be
implemented with a society wide consensus, avoiding mistakes and
wasting the people’s efforts and resources.
2.2.2. Factors influencing the role of Vietnamese intellectuals
First, the traditional culture, psychology and customs of the
Vietnamese nation have influenced the intellectuals. Our nation with
beautiful and benevolent traditions and customs have nourished the spirit
and emotion, improve the awareness of responsibility, create the
motivation for the intellectuals to rise higher in their creative labour, thus
contribute more to the development of the nation. However, beside, our
nation still has out-of-date customs that limit the development of the role
of Vietnamese intellectuals.
The second influencing factor is the policies, guidelines and regime of
the State and the Party. If the policies, guidelines and regime of the Party
and the State are advanced, good, and suitable with the reality of our
nation, they can fully awake the potentialities, push the passions to fulfill
the role of the intellectuals; if not, they could limit or bring disorientation
for the fulfillment of the role of the intellectuals.
The third influencing factor is education and training. If receiving a
modern, high quality, scientific education and training, the learners will
become of higher quality, thus forming better intellectuals, both in quantity

and quality. This could contribute greatly to the development of the
country. If this is not the case, an obsolete educational system, a system
that is not well-rounded, will bring negative influence to the quality of the
fulfillment of the role of the intellectuals.
The fourth influencing factor is the conditio and environment. If the
intellectuals live in a democratic, healthy, high living standard, modern,
internationally integrated, open environment, they will be more stimulated
to create, devote, improve their quality of work, fulfilling their role better;
if the environment is not democratic, unhealthy, obsolete, it will not only
hinder but damage the talents, creativity, and devotion of the intellectuals.
The final influencing factor is the quantity, quality and structure of the
intellectuals. If a nation has a good number of intellectuals with high
quality and balanced structure, the intellectuals will create a power, unified
force to support each other to fulfill their role; if this is not the case, it will
be difficult for them to cooperate, and the quality of work will not be
ensure as a result.


12

Chapter 2 summary
Since the ancient time, the intellectuals always play an important role
in the survival and development of society. The problems concerning them
always receive a special attention from leaders, scientists and all society.
In Vietnam, the problem concerning the intellectuals is looked at from the
conception of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, and viewpoints
of Communist Party of Vietnam. Since the Rennovation, the intellectuals
have contributed greatly in all aspects of society. Their role cannot be
dismissed in the achievements of historical meaning our nation has
achieved.

Chapter 3
THE ROLE OF HCMC’S INTELECTUALS NOWADAYS AND
SOME RAISED ISSUES
3.1. Overview on HCMC and the characteristic of its intellectuals
3.1.1. HCMC’s overview
The geography, history, economics, culture, society are the
condition for the formation of the intellectuals in HCMC; they determine
the characteristics and affect the fulfillment of the role of the intellectuals
nowadays
3.1.2. Characteristics of HCMC’s intellectuals
Besides sharing the general characteristics of Vietnamese
intellectuals, HCMC’s intellectuals also have their own characteristics:
First, HCMC’s intellectuals form and develop together with the
history and development of HCMC. HCMC has a history of establishment
later than other provinces and cities in the country, however, the
intellectuals here have developed the tradition “The iron land Thanh
Dong”, they have always followed the people of the city and the whole
country in nation liberation and renovation. After more than 40 years of
liberation, HCMC has developed in all aspects, this development has
created a favourable condition for the strong growth of its intellectuals.
Second, HCMC’s intellectuals come from different places, both
domestically and internationally. Due to its historical circumstances, their
favourable socio-economic conditions, the requirement for development in
a changing ear, HCMC has become an intellectual hub, the intellectuals
here come from many different places, both from domestic and overseas.
Third, HCMC’s intellectuals are very active, creative and apdative
with market economy. Originated from the natural condition and socioeconomic condition of HCMC, especially, the early birth of a Western
capitalist and the objective requirement from the transformation process,

13

the people of HCMC and the intellectuals are very active, creative and
adapt very quickly with the market economy.
Fourth, HCMC’s intellectuals have conditions for working and living
better compared with many other regions in the country. With a favourable
geography and natural condition, and a highly integrated socio-economic
and culture, HCMC’s intellectuals have better conditions for working and
living compared with other regions in the country.
Fifth, HCMC’s intellectuals grow in both quantity and quality and
have a diverse structure. Nowadays, HCMC’s intellectuals are 20% of the
total number of intellectuals of the country. From 2002-2015, the number
of people with bachelor degree has grown 6.2 times, with master degree
grown 4.6 times, with doctorate grown 2.2 times. Just in terms of people
holding doctoral degree, there are the most people in education and
training, 53.7%; the second place is medical and social works with 18.6%,
other fields take up the rest. There are the most people with bachelor
degree or higher in the government sector. There is a trend for younger
people with higher education in HCMC.
3.2. The role of HCMC’s intellectuals nowadays –
Accomplishments and limitations
3.2.1. Fulfilling the role of providing the scientific arguments for
the municipal party committee and authority to create policy for the
development of the city – Accomplishments and limitations
First, concerning the achievements, since the Doi Moi, through
researching the theoretical questions and understanding the reality,
especially, through conducting special research projects of the City level,
the intellectuals have provided many scientific arguments of high value for
socio-economic, education and training, science and technology, culture
and art, etc., for the Municipal Party Committee and the Authority to

create policies and directions for the development of HCMC. Those
arguments not only show a deep appreciation of the directions and policies
of the Party and the State; but also the pro-activeness, creativity, initiative
in utilizing the potential and advantages that are suitable for the historical
and social characteristics of HCMC in each specific domain. Those correct
arguments are one of the main reasons for such huge achievements that
HCMC has performed during the changing era. That result is a product of
the intellects of all people, in which, the contribution of the intellectuals
cannot not be stressed enough.
Second, concerning the limitations, the number of theoretical research
and practical issues research done by the intellectuals are still small when
compared with the number of intellectuals available. There are many


14

problems arising in the changing era that have not been explored. The
scientific arguments provided by the intellectuals to the authority and the
Municipal Party Committee are not of high quality and of strategic level,
there are no breakthroughs in making policy and direction for the
development of the city to be more sustainable and faster. As a result, the
Municipal Party Committee and the Authority of the city have exhibited
some confusion and hesitation when confronted with new problems.
3.2.2. Fulfilling the role of developing human resources to meet the
requirement of HCMC’s industrialization and modernization –
Accomplishments and limitations.
Accomplishments: First of all, the intellectuals have contributed to the
scale of training the human resource of high quality (HRHQ). In the period
from 2000-2015, the number of colleges, universities in HCMC has grown
4.6 times, the number of lecturers has grown 3.9 times, the number of

university students has grown 3.8 times. Through the work of editing
curriculum, teaching and learning documents, and direct involvement in
the reaching, the intellectuals have helped improve the expertise of
thousands of HRHQ of the city. In 2005, there graduated 49,437 students;
while in 2015, there graduated 121,476 students (2.5 times higher).
Moreover, to improve the level of political reasoning for the HRHQ, the
intellectuals in many educational facilities have organized research and
classes for the subject of political reasoning and philosophy for students
systematically. The intellectuals in Politics school have opened hundreds
of intermediate political-administrative reasoning, advanced political
reasoning to train and nourish the managerial officials, leaders of all levels
in the political system. As a consequence, the level of political reasoning
of HRHQ in HCMC have improved. Regarding on the core members, in
2001, there were only 50% officials hold advanced degree of political
reasoning, in 2015, there were 97.8% officials hold advanced degree of
political reasoning. With these contributions, the intellectuals not only
create a condition for HCMC to transform its political system, improve the
quality of operation for the Government; but also quicken the process of
economic structure readjustment, pushing modernization and
industrialization with a knowledge economy and international integration.
Limitations: The scale of education and training for HRHQ has not
met the requirements for the development of the city. There are 30.07% of
the human workforce in HCMC that have not completed technical training.
The shortage of HRHQ is happening in all kinds of works, economic
sectors. Furthermore, there is a lack of balance among the scale of each
level of education and training: with the same timeline, the college and


15

university level have grown 2 times higher and the number of graduates
have grown 2.14 times higher than the vocational schools. The activities to
equip knowledge, improve expertise, political reasoning level for the
HRHQ have not occurred enough in quantity and are limited in quality.
The outcome is that the number of university graduates who could not find
jobs, and have to be retrained is very high. The work of improving
political reasoning level for HRHQ is still limited in content and
methodology. These limitations create a significant barrier for the
Municipal Party Committee and Authority to implement breakthrough
policies to fasten the sustainable development of HCMC.
3.2.3. Fulfilling the role of innovating, applying and transferring
science and techonology to strengthen the industrialization and
modernization of HCMC – Accomplishments and limitations
Accomplishments: Through researching, innovating, applying and
transferring science and technology, the intellectuals have contributed in
the promotion of science and technology in HCMC in all areas such as:
high tech, industrial technology, automation, agriculture, food safety,
environmental protection, urban management, spear-heading industries,
high quality services. From the results of the activities conducted by the
intellectuals, the amount of science and technology in HCMC’s economy
has increased significantly, the ratio of total factor productivity in GDP
structure of HCMC has become higher. The application of science and
technology not only pushing the economic restructuring of the entire
HCMC economy, it also affects strongly the restructuring of each
economic sector toward the direction of more modernization and
efficiency. With that contribution, the intellectuals also contribute to the
improvement of science and technology’s potential, creating a foundation
for HCMC to fastening the industrialization and modernization to
transitioning into a period of development according to the depth
dimension, moving into a knowledge economy, it is an important basis for

HCMC to implement its plan of constructing a “smart city” in the future.
Limitations: The research on innovation of HCMC’s intellectuals has
not met the requirement of the city’s development. The number of
university lectures and the number of researchers in research centers and
institutes in HCMC’s region take up only a small proportion, the number
of research is small, the quality is not high. The number of works
published in international journals of high credentials and the number of
innovation registered internationally are still small. The potential for
science and technology is still far from the level of advanced countries in
the world, certain areas are facing the threat of falling behind. The rate of


16

applying the research results from science and technology project to actual
production is quite low. The amount of scientific knowledge and surplus
value of products is small, the process of changing into new technology is
slow. The total factor productivity contributes to economic growth
compared with other countries in the region is far apart. The research on
decoding and domesticate the foreign technology is not enough, has not
contributed significantly into the upgrade of technological level in the
production and business facilities. These limitations are a challenge toward
HCMC in transforming into a new economic model, improving the quality
of growth, the ability to compete in the time of international integration
nowadays.
3.2.4. Fulfilling the role of construcing and developing an advanced
HCMC’s culture deeply imbued with national identity –
accomplishments and limitations
Accomplishments: Since the Doi Moi, the intellectuals have created
many cultural works and products of high value. Those creative works not

only confirm the fine values of the Vietnamese people and nation; but also,
help to clarify the historical development of Sai Gon – Gia Dinh – HCMC
region; they have helped to deepen and enrich the culture of HCMC. The
intellectuals have surveyed, discovered, collected many valuable objects
and documents about culture, as a result, reconstruct and complete the
cultural value of HCMC. This work has helped educate our traditions and
nourish the love for the Motherland. The intellectuals also survey and
create a profile for cultural heritages to submit to the authority for
acknowledgement; they criticize and fight for the distorted views on the
aesthetics, this has helped educate and orient the value of beauty, goodness
and sincerity for the mass; they spread and promote the cultural value of
the city toward all people; they receive the essence of other cultures and
humanity to enrich the national culture and HCMC culture; they are the
forefront in fighting against the distorted views of the enemies to improve
understanding and “immunity” (against those views) for the people, as a
result, contribute to the protection of the foundation of thought of the Party,
and the State. Therefore, in the changing era, the intellectuals not only build
a foundation, both mentally and physically, but also, play an important role
in creating the foundation for a spiritual life for the city; they create a
foundation for the survival and development of HCMC’s society.
Limitations: The quantity, quality of the works on culture and art of
the intellectuals are humbling, there has not been one cultural work that
match the title of one of the cultural centers for the country. The work of
literature and art critique is still highly fragmented, lacks organization and


17

quality; the work of profiling to propose for the acknowledgement of
heritages is slow; the work of museums is too uniformed and lack of new

contents. In terms of information and media, there are intellectuals who do
not follow the guidelines and directions, and do not fulfill the purpose of
journalism. The receipt of cultural values of other nations is still limited,
the work of introducing and promoting outstanding cultural and art works
of the city to the world lacks pro-activeness. The intellectuals lack
professionalism and sensitivity, a fighting attitude in the work of
defending the thoughts of the Party and the policies of the State and the
city. These limitations make the “internal” strength of the city not express
itself in full; not only there is a lack of inspiration and impacts toward the
socio-economic development, but the cultural values are facing a threat of
fading away; these have negative impacts to political stability in HCMC
as well as the whole country.
3.2.5. Fulfilling the role of social criticism to help perfecting the
directions and policies and socio-economic development proposals of the
Municipal party committee and City Authority – accomplishment and
limitations.
Accomplishments: In the Renovation era, the intellectuals have
participated actively in giving critique for many socio-economic
development proposals, projects proposed by the City hall, People’s
Committee, the Departments of HCMC. The critiques of the intellectuals
have been received well by the Municipal Party Committee in HCMC,
they have used some of these critiques in their documents submitting to the
Party National Congress. The intellectuals also give critiques for the draft
of Constitution, hundreds of drafts of the law, and other documents; as a
result, they help the State to perfect the tool to adjust different social
relations. Moreover, the intellectuals also works on the critiques for the
socio-economic development proposals of HCMC authority, help the
authority by providing scientific arguments to adjust their policies in time
and bring positive effects. It is possible to state that the social critique
activities of the intellectuals not only improve the level of intelligence in the

political decisions, but they also make sure the Municipal Party Committee
and Authority of HCMC implement the policies that are closed to the
reality, avoiding unnecessary mistakes, solidify the support of all parts of
society; this, in turn, contributes to the socio-economic development, the
political-security stability, the trust of the people in HCMC.
Limitations: There are many directions and policies, plans and
projects, socio-economic development programs in HCMC that have not
been critiqued by the intellectuals comprehensively and timely. The


18

quality of critiques is still limited, there is not enough critique of strategic
importance to build a scientific basis for the Municipal Party Committee
and the Authority to make policies and define directions of a faster and
stronger development of HCMC. The content, the method of social
critique is still fragmented and lacks professionalism, and depth. There is a
group of intellectuals, especially the younger ones, that lacks the selfcontrol and holds an indifferent attitude toward the big problems of the
city as well as the nation. These limitations bring about a negative impact
on the quantity and quality of the social critique activity in HCMC.
3.3. The raised issues for the promotion of the role of HCMC’s
intellectuals in the current period
3.3.1. The limitations in understanding of some HCMC citizens on
the role of the intellectuals in the period of promoting industrialization
and modernization of the country
In the political system, the understanding of some officials and party
members regarding the role of the intellectuals is not adequate, as a result,
they have not been able to enforce the views of the municipal party
committee and authority of HCMC regarding intellectual work. Some
leaders and managers have not been willing to listen to the critiques of the

intellectuals. In society, the application of science and technology, culture
and art into daily life is still limited. In production and business, some
enterprises have not fully understood the importance of science and
technology, culture and art toward the development of each company.
Some intellectuals, especially the younger ones, have not fully appreciated
their own role and position in the industrialization and modernization.
3.3.2. The limitations in hiring and using that lead to the limitation
in fulfilling the role of HCMC’s intellectuals
The hiring of official positions in some organization, especially, in
Governmental organization is not transparent and objective. The
appointment and assignment process has many weaknesses that have not
created a condition for the intellectuals to fulfill their role optimally. The
use of intellectuals, especially young intellectuals, retired intellectuals but
remain in good health and good spirit is not paid enough attention. The use
of intellectuals that are outside the Party hinges on the political opinions
too much, without assigning proper weigh on their ability and
effectiveness. The use of Vietnamese intellectuals living outside the
country is still limited due to some directions and policies.
3.3.3. The lacks of encouragment of the creative activities, devotion
of the intellectuals in HCMC
The environment in the society and in organizations of the


19

intellectuals is not fully democratic and healthy. The work of
implementing and financial payment toward the science and technology
work hinges too much on the mechanism of “give and take”, there are too
many unnecessary administrative procedures. The importance of the
connection and cooperation among universities, research centers,

institutes, businesses is not fully appreciated. Science and technology,
culture and art market in HCMC is still at the beginning stage.
3.3.4. The limitations of training and education that make HCMC’s
intellectuals fall short of the requirments of the city’s development
The percentage of students in total population of HCMC is still low.
The method of training the intellectuals is not up to date with the trend of
the world. The scale of recruiting in university has increased but the number
of lecturers has not. The scarcity of scientific titles is quite common in all
fields, sectors, and organizations in HCMC. Certain contents, educational
programs are slow to update. The teaching methods of some lecturers are
still too traditional, not encouraging the learners to create and self-direct.
The management and checking of training quality is not strict, thus the
development of the scale does not match the quality of education.
3.3.5. The compensation policy is not deserving for the contribution
of HCMC’s intellectuals
The compensation policy toward the intellectuals is egalitarian; they
have not taken into account the material and spiritual needs of this group
of people so that they could focus whole-heartedly on creating and
devoting for intellectual works. The payment outside of salary of these
intellectuals is not consolidated. There is much problem in terms of
housing, means of transportation toward the intellectuals, especially, the
young intellectuals . The policy of appraising, honoring the intellectuals is
weighed down by too much administrative procedures. The socialization
of honoring, appraising intellectuals has not been promoted enough.
Chapter 3 Summary
Besides the general characteristics of Vietnamese intellectuals,
because of its own natural conditions, historical and social circumstances,
HCMC’s intellectuals have their own characteristics. Since Doi Moi,
before the requirement of industrialization, modernization with knowledge
economy and international integration, the intellectuals have many

contributions into the development of the city. However, besides the
achievements, the role of HCMC’s intellectuals still has many limitations.
Those limitations require the Municipal party committee and the authority
and each individual intellectual to seriously consider them objectively to
find our appropriate and scientific solutions timely


20

Chapter 4
SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE THE ROLE OF INTELLECTUALS
IN HO CHI MINH CITY IN THE PRESENT PERIOD
4.1. Raising awareness among HCM City people about the role of
the intellectuals in today’s times
First, for the people. There needs to be stronger propanganda,
education, training, competitions and conferences, all of which should
focus on propaganda in the form of classroom, educational material
compilation. When conducting these activities, besides the public format,
there needs to be a focus on some outstanding figures such as leaders of
local companies, excellent students.
Second, for leaders and management staff. There is a need for
heightening the intellectual level of leaders at the Communist Party
Committee level through improved teaching and researching quality,
concentrating on studies of the direction and policies of the Party
concerning the role of the intellectuals. Leaders and management staff
must be flexible in handling each decision and solving problems;
especially in the face of social critique from intellectuals. For state
employees specialized in education and trainin, science and technology,
culture and arts, they need proper training and exercises.
Third, for the group of intellectuals in HCM City. They need to be

aware of their position, role and responsibility in the development of
society, cannot stay inactive and dependent but should rather strive and
overcome difficulties to become stronger and better in their expertise, in
turn contributing to the construction and development of HCM City itself
as well as the whole country.
4.2. Perfecting the policies to employ the intellectuals in Ho Chi
Minh City
First, completing the recruitment and appointment policies. All job
recruitment announcements should be made public. The process of
examination or selection must be objective. There needs to be flexible and
sutiable policy in employing people for each position. Appointing
intellectuals via examination should be strengthened. The examinations
need to focus on the quality and content of each project and program. The
grading council must be objective and responsible.
Second, intensifying the employment of young and old intellectuals
who have talents and health. Young talented intellectuals need to be
appointed to key management and leadership positions; be tasked with
heading some projects and city- or ministry-level science programs, under
the guidance of intellectuals who have more experience. Intellectuals who


21

are old and have retired but still remain in good health should also be able
to continue working.
Third, boosting the employment of intellectuals who are not Party
members. The leadership and managmeent positions must be outlined
clearly—which ones to be held by Party members and which ones to be to
held by non-Party members. The appointment needs to take bolder step in
letting non-Party member intellectuals take the lead in certain offices

where they can utilize their experience and expertise.
Fourth, utilizing the source of intellectual people who are of
Vietnamese origin but now living overseas. There needs to be a smooth,
clear and suitable preferential policies to attract overseas intellectual
Vietnamese to return to HCM City to work and contribute.
4.3. Creating an environment and conditions conducive to
promoting effectively the role of intellectuals in Ho Chi Minh City
First, creating a healthy, democratic social environment in agencies
working in education-training, science-technology, and culture-arts. To
create a democratice environment in the creative operation of intellectual
staff, the democratic principle must be implemented, in line with the law
and the interests of the people, for the sake of the city’s prosperity. All
intellectual offices and organziations must unite and help each other to
become better.
Second, perfecting the mechanism and policy conducting sciencetechnology projects and related financial processing. Boosting the format
of transparent, publicized auction, based on criteria for each individual and
organization that wants to conduct a science-technology project. Bringing
in more science-technology projects and subjects that deal with urgent
matters. Boosting financial inspection and scrutiny to have timely
adjustments. There also needs to be a mechanism for related financial
processing that is oriented toward reducing paperwork. Pushing for
autonomy in finance in the implementation of science-technology projects
Third, strengthening linkage and cooperation among universities,
centers, institutes, and businesses. To overcome shortcomings in human
resources, material resources, as well as to boost private participation in
the fields of education-training, science-technology, culture-arts, there
needs to be a formation of an education-research-production complex in
which there is tight relationship between a training center and research
institute or between a research institute and a business.
Fourth, developing products and market for science-technology,

culture-arts. Boosting the development of this market to free up work in
the hands of the intellectuals, allowing them to focus more on their


22

creative work. Developing a market for science-technology and culturearts no only creates an important legal foundation to pay tribute to the
intellectuals’ contributions but also to encourage them futher to contribute.
Fifth, increasing investment budget for science-technology and
boosting international exchange and cooperation. There needs to be bigger
budget for investment in activities of the intellectuals. Boosting private
investment by calling on local companies to invest in building the basic
infrastructure serving education-training, science-technology, and culturearts. International exchange cooperation should also be strengthened.
Sixth, combining the completion and construction of some sciencetechnology research establishments to be on par with univerities in the
region and world. Research facilities and universities must be improved or
rebuilt anew to be on par with those in the region and the world, which
will help raise the profile, potential of Vietnam in science-technology. In
addition, this will also create favorable conditions and environment to
faciliate the creative work of the intellectuals and attract more talents,
easing the talent drain today.
4.4. Renovating the education and training of intellectuals in Ho
Chi Minh City
First, increasing criteria and diversifying the formats in conjunction
with adjusting the structure and quality of training. The size of training,
especially criteria for student enrollment after college, must be raised.
Training formats should also be increased: allowing students to study and
work at the same time, or to pursue distance learning and obtain two
degrees. Adjusting the structure of training to ensure a scientific and
suitable training format. There should be more training in the field of
science-technology. The quality of checking and evaluation process must

ensure that training grows in both number and quality, prevent the
commercialization of education.
Second, renovating the content, programs and training methods. There
needs to be a recheck and re-evalution of the complete content and program
to create the basis for adding new content that meets the international
standard. Leading scientists at home and overseas should be invited over.
Renovating the pedagogical methods and upgrading teaching equipment.
Third, retraining the intellectuals and the leading intellectuals.
Conducting regular retraining in their specialty for the intellectuals,
especially in foreign languages and computer science. Raising the budget
for post-graduate training. Selecting young scientists with potential and
sending them to countries with advanced education system or sciencetechnology progress.