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HO CHI MINH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF POLITICS

NGUYEN THE HUNG

THE CONTINGENT OF INTELLECTUALS IN THE
NORTHWEST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TODAY

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS
MAJOR: SCIENTIFIC SOCIALISM
Code: 62 22 03 08

HA NOI - 2019


The thesis is completed at the
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Thanh Khoi

Reviewer 1: ...........................................................................

Reviewer 2: .............................................................................

Reviewer 3: .............................................................................

The thesis will be defended in front of the Thesis Committee at
Academy level, at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
At…… hour…… date …… month …… year……

The thesis can be found at the National Library and
the Library of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

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INTRODUCTION
1. The significance of the thesis
The fourth industrial revolution has drastically changed the overview of the
global landscapes in all fields of life, pushing the human beings to a new age of
knowledge economy. In the knowledge economy, the possession, distribution,
usage of knowledge and the ability of innovation has the special importance.
Many countries are aware of the drive for development: from using material as
the key resource to using people as the centre of explotation, especially the
highly qualified people. Being a strong or weak country depends on the quality
of the human resources, in which the quantity, quality and structure of the
contingent of intellectuals play an important role. Therefore, making full use of
the contingent of intellectuals is the advanced tendency, a important national
development strategy.
The Party and Government always appreciate the role of the contingent
of intellectuals. In the seventh Meeting of the Central Steering Committee of
the tenth National Congress of the Party, the Party issued a specific resolution
on building the contingent of intellectuals in the acceleration of national
industrialisation and modernisation. The Resolution asserts: In all ages, the
intellectuals are always the foundation for social advancement, the contingent
of intellectuals are the core resources in knowledge generation and
distribution. Today, together with the rapid development of the advanced
industrial and technology revolution, the contingent of intellectuals becomes
an extreme important resource, making the strength of each country in the
development strategy.
Together with the development of the nation, the Vietnamese contingent of
intellectuals has increased its quantity and improved its quality. By innovation,
our national intellectuals contribute greatly in all fields of national development

and defence. However, Vietnamese intellectuals have many limitations that need
to be addressed to meet the new demands of national development, especially the
sustainable development in the new period.
The choice of roadmap, methods, and policies for sustainable development
is the top priority concern of each nation in the process of development. In
Vietnam, sustainable becomes the viewpoint of the Party, and has been asserted
in the Resolution of the tenth and eleventh National Congress of the Party. The
Resolution of the twelveth National Congress of the Party emphasises: Fast and
sustainable development (towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals in 2030); harmonised solutions for the short-term and long-term goals of


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economic growth and development in culture, advanced and social justice,
environmental protection, enhance the material and spiritual life of the people.
To accomplish the national sustainable goals, Vietnamese Government
issued “Strategic orientation for sustainable development in Vietnam” (Vietnam
Agenda 21). With this agenda, sustainable development in Vietnam is a strategic
frame with the overall goal is sustainable and effective development, rising with
advancement and social justice, environment and resources protection, socialpolitic stability, strong national defence to ensure national independence,
sovereignty, unity, and teritory integrity.
In each country, to develop sustainably, governments often pay attention to
regional development policies, especially in the regions of under-development,
rural, mountainous and minority areas to make the full use of the potentials of
each region, for fast development, closing the gaps between urban and rural
areas, and between areas with different development levels. During the past
years, as the resource for development, the Northwestern intellectuals have
directly contributed to the sustainable development in the Northwest, actively
contributed to the construction of scientific evidence for the making of strategies,
regulations and policies, for Parties and local Governments of the Northwestern

provinces; formed the human resources; produced many research and
development projects which can be practically implemented in reality, generating
good effects; fast approach to many advanced science of Vietnam and the world
that enables the capacity building, knowledge acquiring, and mastering the
transferred technology; contribute to enhance the efficiency and quality of the
performance of the political system, especially enhance the leadership capacity
of the Party, and the management capacity of Government authorities; contribute
to the construction of the revolutionary armed force so that the force becomes
professional, step-by-step modernised, and strong enough to protect national
borders, maintain the political stability, ensure the social order and security.
However, compared to the average level of the nation, the intellectuals in
the Northwest have many limitations in sustainable development: The scientific
research is still limited, and cannot meet the demands of the renovation reality,
the big renovation research project is still lacking; some intellectuals, because
of the side effect of the market economy, have no sense of self-training, and
have been in their degradation, misdirected off the Party’s path and vision. At
the same time, because of distinguishing features of the ethnic minority
peoples, many issues emerged in sustainable development, to protect the
“fence” of the Nation.


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Because of the abovementioned significance, the author selected the topic
“The contingent of intellectuals in the Northwest in sustainable development
today” for the doctoral thesis, in the field of Philosophy, major in Socialism
Study, with a desire to contribute to the making full use of the intellectuals in the
Northwest in sustainable development today.
2. Research goals and duties
2.1. Research goals
Basing on the theory and practice of the analysis of the roles of

intellectuals in the Northwest in sustainable development; providing viewpoints
and suggesting solutions to making full use of the roles of the intellectuals in the
Northwest today.
2.2. Research duties
To achieve the abovementioned goals, the thesis aims at the following
specific goals:
Firstly, review key literature and research about the intellectuals in the
Northwest and sustainable development.
Secondly, clarification of the theory and practice foundation of intellectuals
of the Northwest in sustainable development.
Thirdly, analysis and evaluation of the reality of the Northwestern
intellectuals’ roles in sustainable development.
Fourthly, define the basic viewpoints and suggest the key feasible
solutions to make the full advantages of the Northwestern intellectuals’ roles in
sustainable development today.
3. Research subjects and scope
3.1. Research subjects
The thesis explores the contingent of intellectuals in the Northwest in
sustainable development.
3.2. Research scope
- Scope of content: The main task of the thesis is to explore the roles of
intellectuals in the Northwest in sustainable development.
- Scope of time: Examine the intellectuals in the Northwest in sustainable
development from 2008 (since the Resolution of the seventh meeting of the tenth
Steering Committee of the Communist Party, about the building of contingent of
intellectuals in the acceleration of industrialisation and modernisation of the
country) to the present.
- Scope of space: Examine the intellectuals living and working in six
mountainous provinces in the Northwest of Vietnam, including: Dien Bien, Lai
Chau, Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Son La and Yen Bai.

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4. Research theory, practice, and methodology
4.1. Theory context
The thesis is accomplished on the theoretical basis of Marxism-Leninism,
Ho Chi Minh ideology, and the viewpoint and policies of the Party and
Government about the intellectuals, particuparly the Resolution numbered 27NQ/TW, dated 6/8/2008 of the seventh meeting of the tenth Steering Committee
of the Communist Party about the building of contingent of intellectuals in the
acceleration of industrialisation and modernisation of the country; about
sustainable development, particularly the Decision numbered 153/2004/QDTTg, dated 17/8/2004 of the Prime Minister on the Orientation to the Sustainable
Development in Vietnam (Vietnam Agenda 21).
4.2. Practical context
The thesis bases on the practice of the building and making full advantages
of the Northwestern intellectuals in sustainable development, using the data from
survey and field trips conducted by the author, and the data presented in the
reports of the relating organisations and authorities.
4.3. Research method
- Methodology: The thesis uses the methodology of dialectical materialism
and historical materialism.
- Specific methods: Analyse synthesise, statistics, compare, inductive,
deductive. At the same time, learn and inherit from the avaiable publications
relating to the thesis.
5. New contributions of the thesis
- Contribute to the clarification of the roles and the exploration of the
reality of the Northwestern intellectuals in sustainable development and the
challenging issues.
- Suggest the basic viewpoints and key solutions to make the full use of the
roles of the Northwestern intellectuals in sustainable development.
6. Cong tributions of the thesis to theory and practice

- Contribute the scientific evidence based arguments for the Party and
Government of the local authorities in the Northwester provinces in designing
the strategies and making policies to make the full use of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development.
- The thesis can be a reference source for teaching, learning and
researching in the relating topics.
7. Thesis structure
Apart from the Introduction, Conclusion, List of publication, Reference
and appendix, the Thesis has 4 chapters, 10 sections.


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Chapter 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1. LITERATURE ABOUT THE THESIS TOPIC

1.1.1. Literature about intellectuals
There have been many scholars doing research on intellectuals. The thesis
reviews 20 literature of Vietnam (including 12 books, 2 national research
projects, 3 doctoral theses, 3 journal articles) and five international literature
about intellectuals.
1.1.2. Literature about the Northwest
There have been many Vietnamese scholars doing research about the
Northwest. The thesis reviews 11 literature (2 books, 1 national research
project, 8 doctoral theses about the Northwest).
1.1.3. Literature about sustainable development
There have been many scholars doing research about sustainable
development. The thesis reviews 14 literature about sustainable development (4
books, 1 national project, 5 doctoral these, 4 journal articles) and 5 international
literature about sustainable development.

1.2. VALUES OF THE LITERATURE ABOUT THE THESIS TOPIC
AND THE ISSUES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

1.2.1. Values of the literature about the thesis topic
The above literature analysed and mentioned many different perspectives
relating to the thesis topic. The literature has many good values in theory and
practice, forming the foundation for the author to do a research on the
Northwestern intellectuals in sustainable development.
Firstly, about the contingent of intellectuals, the literature has
achievements in clarifying the definition and characteristics of the
intellectuals. Although the literature is from different angles, the literature has
the commonalities in the important characteristics of the intellectuals, in the
changes of social-economic conditions of each country, each province, in
many periods in history.
In research about the development of the intellectuals, the literature
mentions the changes of era, and the objective important factor, which is the
robust development of the revolution in science and technology. At the same
time, literature highlights the subjective factor influencing the tendency
movement in the implementation of development strategies in each country.
Such literature asserts the roles of intellectuals in development process of
countries. In Vietnam, throughout the historic heroic periods of the nations,
Vietnamese intellectuals always assert to play an important role in all aspects of


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life. Respecting the intellectuals and talents becomes a good tradition of our
nation. In Ho Chi Minh era, the intellectuals are even more respected and given
favourable conditions to perform their historic missions for the nation. The roles
of intellectuals are very important in the alliance of Workers - Farmers Intellectuals in the transition to socialism.
There have been many research and surveys to investigate

comprehensively the Vietnamese intellectuals in general, working in many
industries and geographic areas in particular. Throughout many historic periods
of the nation, Vietnamese intellectuals have been growing in quantity and
quality. To meet the demands of comprehensive innovation of our country, the
structure of intellectual contingent has changed to meet the demand of country
building in the new context. The previous research has evaluated the limitations
of Vietnamese intellectuals, particularly the limitations in quantity. We are
lacking the highly-ranked experts and the capacity to create new knowledge. To
find the reasons for these limitations, the reasons for the short-comings in
policies for intellectuals are the most important topics in a lot of literature.
The most valuable finding of the research on intellectuals is the analysis of
the reality of the intellectuals, and the highly practical suggestions. Many solutions
are placed in the relations with other factors in the development trends of this new
era, in the social-economic development strategy of our country today. The
solutions have good values in designing the strategies and policies for intellectuals
in the cause of Vietnamese national construction and protection today.
Secondly, in the Northwest, the abovementioned research gained the
important results in the analysis of the Northwestern development in many social
aspects. The literature claried the distinguished characteristics of the region: the
conditions of nature and geographic, the contexts of social economics, the
conditions of ethnic cultures, from which to evaluate the implementation of the
social-economic development policies in the land of ethnic minorities; to
evaluate natural and mineral resources exploitation; the reality of drug-trafficking
prevention in the northwest; evaluate the implementation of democratic
regulations in communes of ethinic minorities in the Northwest.
The research suggested the solutions to develop the Northwest in all aspect
of life. Such solutions are meaningful in formulating the strategies of
development in the Northwest in the new contexts.
Thirdly, about sustainable development, the previous research gained
important results since they explored the concept of sustainable development.

There are still some opposite perceptions and opinions of sustainable
development concepts. However, the previous research came to the same


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conclusion of the primary indicators for sustainable development, which are
sustainable economy, sustainable society, and sustainable environment.
Evaluating the roles of sustainable development, the previous research
concluded: sustainable development plays an important role in the development
process of every country. Some research affirmed that the sustainable
development depends on the implementation of policies of population growth,
environmental pollution, climate change. For Vietnam, to meet the demands of
the country in the new conditions, especially the international integration, the
Party and Government has been acquiring sound perception of the roles of
sustainable development, regarding it as the core objectives in social-economic
development.
The abovementioned research had many important findings in the analysis
of sustainable development in Vietnam, in some specific industries, fields and
provinces. Throughout historical periods, especially after Doi Moi in Vietnam,
sustainable development has been set priority for implementation and to some
extents meed the demands of the cause of nation building in the new contexts.
However, the research frankly pointed out the limitations of Vietnam in the
implementation of sustainable development strategies. These limitations are
analysed in all aspects of sustainable development in economics, sustainable
development in society, sustainable development in environment. The reasons
for limitations are also discussed, including the reasons resulting from the socialeconomic policies in the control of the interests in the relationship towards the
sustainable development of the society.
The greatest success of the abovementioned research is the highly feasible
solutions in sustainable development, especially, the solutions for sustainable
development in some specific industries, fields and provinces. These solutions

are the important foundation for the design of strategies and policies of
sustainable development in the new period to meet the demands of nation
building today.
1.2.2. New issues for further research
Besides the valuable research findings, there has been no systemmatic
research about the intellectuals in the Northwest. In discussion about the
Northwestern intellectuals, the previous research asserted that the intellectuals
play important roles in social development in many aspects. However, there has
been no research of the comprehensive roles of the intellectuals in sustainable
development, particularly sustainable development in the region.
The previous research suggested many solutions about building contingent
of intellectuals and making full use of the intellectuals. However, there has been
no solution for making full use of the intellectuals in sustainable development in


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the specific region of Northwest. The issues that have not yet mentioned and
critically analysed in the previous research need to be discussed in the thesis.
Based on the continuity of the previous research relating to the thesis topic, the
author identifies some avenues for further research under the prism of socialism
studies, as the following:
- Clarification of some theory and practice issues about the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development.
- Analysis and evaluation of the reality of the roles of the Northwestern
intellectuals, and some issues challenging the reality of the roles of this
contingent in sustainable development.
- Based on the theory, reality and some challenging issues, the thesis
suggests viewpoints and solutions suitable for the Northwest, taking into account
the inter-regional traits to make full use of the roles of intellectuals in sustainable
development today.

Chapter 2
THEORY AND PRACTICE ABOUT THE CONTINGENT OF
INTELLECTUALS IN THE NORTHWEST IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
2.1. PERCEPTION OF INTELLECTUALS AND THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE NORTHWESTERN INTELLECTUALS

2.1.1. Perceptions of intellectuals
The concept of Intellectuals started in history, at the time ò separation
betweeen intellectual work and manual work. In the discoure about the
intellectuals, in each evolution period of human beings, the concepts of
intellectuals changes variously. Even in a country, the understanding of
intellectuals changes according to the level of development in economics,
politics, culture, society.
When Ho Chi Minh was alive, He paid special attention to intellectuals.
According to him, intellectuals must have knowledge and understanding.
Understanding the struggle for evolution and the struggle for nation and society.
Via the simple but scientific discourse, Ho Chi Minh indicated intellectuals mút
have knowledge, understanding and know how to use the knowledge to serve
society, rovolution and people, using the understanding to change the reality for
people liberation.
The resolution of the 7th meeting of the tenth National Congress of the
Party about “Building the contingent of intellectuals in the acceleration of
industrialisation and modernisation of the country” introduced the perception


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that intellectuals are those whose work is intellectual, with high qualification in
specific fields of study, with capacity of independent thinking, innovation, can
deliver and enrich knowledge, creating material and spiritual works for society.

Thus, intellectuals form a class in society, they work intellectualy and
have good education and qualification, they can think independently, innovate,
maintain and deliever scientific knowledge, contributing to social development.
2.1.2. Characteristics of the Northwestern intellectuals
The intellectuals in the Northwest have the following basic
characteristics:
Firstly, the contingent of intellectuals in the Northwest was formed and
has been developed together with the development of the Northwest region.
Secondly, the contingent of intellectuals in the Northwest has changed
significantly in term of quantity.
Thirdly, the quality of the Northwestern intellectuals has been gradually
improved in all aspects.
Fourthly, the diversity in the structure of the contingent of intellectuals in
the Northwest.
2.2. PERCEPTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN
NORTHWEST

AND
THE

2.2.1. Perception on sustainable development
The classic scholars of Marxism - Leninism did not use the term
“sustainable development”, but brilliantly foresaw the consequences of the
people’s over-interference to the nature, and this reflected the spirit for
sustainable development. Some books of K. Marx and F. Engels discussed this
topic, including: The Holy Family (1844), The Condition of working class in
Britain (1844-1845), The German Ideology (1845-1846), The communist
Manifesto (1848), Dialectics of Nature (1873-1886)…
The concept of “sustainable development” appeared in the movement for

environment in early 1970s, in the publication of “World Conservation
Strategy” (by IUCN) in 1980. The report “Our future” by WCED of UN in
1987, provided a definition of sustainable development that was used in
Vietnamese orientation to sustainable development (Vietnam Agenda 21),
which defined: sustainable development is the development meeting the
requirements of the present but do not generate obstacles for the meeting of
the demands of the future generations.
About the structure of sustainable development, in 1995, the publication
“Orientation to sustainable development” by the Centre of Environment and


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Natural Resources did not provide a definition of sustainable development, but
highlighted four indicators for sustainable development: sustainability in
economics, sustainability in humanity, sustainability in environment, and
sustainability in technology.
In 2012, the Prime Minister approved “Strategy for sustainable
development in Vietnam 2011-2020”, which asserted: sustainable development
is the continual demand in the development process of the country; combining
in harmony te development in economics and society, and ensuring the
protection of environment, natural resources, national defence, social security
and order.
Thus, sustainable development is a concept to describe the new approach
in development of human beings, which emphasizes three core factors in social
life: development in economics, development in society, environment
protection, and the relationship between three factors. For us, to meet the
demands of national building and protection in the new contexts, Vietnam
should focus on sustainable development in national defence and security.
2.2.2. The characteristics of sustainable development in the Northwest
From the above analysed concept of sustainable development, the

components of sustainable development, the practical requirements of the
Northwest, the development in the Northwest has the following characteristics:
* The first characterisitic, sustainable development in economics
- Maintain the rapid and sustainable economic growth, on the basis of
frequent improvement in effectiveness and ratio of science and technology,
using natural resources economically and improved environment.
- Accelerate the process of new sustainable rural development,
sustainable development in agriculture and rural areas, producing more safe
and clean goods.
- Restructure the economy and innovation in model for growth.
* The second characterisitic, sustainable development in society
- Efforts for poverty eradication, generating more jobs and increasing
income.
- Improve the quality of education to raise awareness of the people,
human resources training, talents nurturing to serve the cause of innovation.
- Develop and enhance the quality of healthcare services, public health
service, and improve working conditions.
* The third characterisitic, sustainable development in culture
- Conserve and make full use of cultural values of all peoples, specifically
the ethnics minorities.
- Construct healthy cultural environment.


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- Develop literature and arts.
- Promote traditional cultural values to the world, at the same time learn
the advanced cultural values of the world.
* The fourth characterisitic, sustainable development in environment
- Prevent the degradation, use land resource effectively and sustainably.
- Protect the water resource, effectively and sustainably use of water resource.

- Reduce air pollution, control the toxic wastes.
- Protect, development and use forest resource effectively and
sustainably; Protect the biodiversity and natural ecology.
- Reasonable exploitation and effectively and sustainably use of natural
resources.
* The fourth characterisitic, sustainable development in national defence
and security
- Protect the national borders
- Build the mass public national defence and people’s security.
- Strong prevention against criminals, especially the drug traffickers and
transporters.
2.3. THE ROLES OF INTELLECTUALS AND THE IMPACT
FACTORS TO THE ROLES OF INTELLECTUALS IN THE NORTHWEST
IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2.3.1. The roles of intellectuals
In the building and protecting the nation of Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, the intellectuals play important roles, which reflect in the following
perspectives.
Firstly, playing significant roles and having strengths in consultancy,
social criticism and inspection, contribute scientific evidence for the design of
strategies and policies of the Party and Government.
Secondly, playing direct roles in education and training for the human
resources, particularly the high quality human resources for the cause of
radical innovation of the country.
Thridly, playing ket roles in scientific research and technological
transferring, being the key participants in the advanced science and technology
revolution.
Fourthly, playing active roles in solving the contemporary issues of the
world for the sustainable development of the country and human beings.

In sustainable development, the roles of intellectuals reflect in the key
aspects of life:
Firstly, the roles of intellectuals in sustainable development in economics.
Secondly, the roles of intellectuals in sustainable development in society.


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Thirdly, the roles of intellectuals in sustainable development in culture.
Fourthly, the roles of intellectuals in sustainable development in natural
resources using and environmental protection.
Fifthly, the roles of intellectuals in sustainable development in national
defence and security.
2.3.2. The impact factors to the roles of intellectuals in the Northwest
in sustainable development
Firstly, regional factors influence the roles of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development.
Secondly, national factors influence the roles of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development.
Thirdly, international factors influence the roles of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development.

Chapter 3
THE ROLES OF THE CONTINGENT OF INTELLECTUALS IN
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHWEST: THE
REALITY AND ISSUES
3.1. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ROLES OF THE CONTINGENT OF THE
NORTHWESTERN INTELLECTUALS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3.1.1. Achievements of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in economics

The Northwestern intellectuals contribute greatly to sustainable
development in economics, which is observed in the following perspectives:
Firstly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in maintaining
fast and sustainable economic growth.
Secondly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in the sustainable
new rural development.
Thridly, the Northwestern intellectuals play active roles in restructuring the
economy attached to the new model for growth.
3.1.2. Achievements of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in society
The Northwestern intellectuals contribute greatly to sustainable
development in society, which is observed in the following perspectives:
Firstly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in poverty
eradication and increasing income for labourers.


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Secondly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in education
quality improvement.
Thridly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in healthcare
services improvement.
3.1.3. Achievements of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in culture
The Northwestern intellectuals contribute greatly to sustainable
development in cultures, which is observed in the following perspectives:
Firstly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in maintaining and
making full use of traditional cultural values, especially of the ethnic minorities.
Secondly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in building a
healthy cultural environment.
Thirdly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in maintaining and

developing literature and arts.
Fourthly, the Northwestern intellectuals play active roles in promoting
traditional cultural values to the world, at the same time introducing the
international cultural values to the locals.
3.1.4. Achievements of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in environment and natural
resources protection
The Northwestern intellectuals contribute greatly to sustainable
development in environment, which is observed in the following perspectives:
Firstly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in the
prevention of degredation of land and sustainable use of land resources.
Secondly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in water
protection, using effectively and sustainably the water resources.
Thirdly, the Northwestern intellectuals play active roles in reducing air
pollution, effective management of wates.
Fourthly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in sustainable
development of forests; conserve bio-diversity and ecology.
Fifthly, the Northwestern intellectuals play great roles in effective and
sustainable exploitation and use of natural resources.
3.1.5. Achievements of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in national defence and security
The Northwestern intellectuals contribute greatly to sustainable
development in national defence and security, which is observed in the following
perspectives:
Firstly, the Northwestern intellectuals play special roles in national borders
protection.


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Secondly, the Northwestern intellectuals play important roles in building

the front of the people and people’s security.
Thirdly, the Northwestern intellectuals play active roles in the prevention
and fighting against criminals, particularly drug traffickers and transporters.
3.2. LIMITATIONS OF THE ROLES OF THE CONTINGENT OF THE
NORTHWESTERN INTELLECTUALS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

3.2.1. Limitations of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in economics
The Northwestern intellectuals face up with many difficulties in doing
research and applying the advanced science and technology in production. The
models of technology transfer are still in small sizes, cannot create the strength
for mass production. Science and technology have not become the drive to
accelerate social-economic development of this region. The communication of
the advancement in science and technology has not reached to large audience,
and lack of innovation, cannot match the awareness of the public. Among the
contingent of intellectuals, the region is still lacking professional experts in many
fields. The lack of excellent experts causes many difficulties in research and
development projects. The socialization level in science and technology is still
low. Many resources from different businesses have not yet mobilized for the
development in science and technology.
The Northwestern intellectuals have not yet researched to suggest any
effective and sustainable solution to mobilise resources for infrastructure
construction, in the condition that the provinces have very limited budget. The
investment for infrastructure varies differently in provinces. Many provinces are
extremely difficult in mobilizing resources for construction and renovation of
public infrastructure.
The Northwestern intellectuals have not yet researched to suggest any
suitable solution to prevent severe land erosion. The land for agriculture
cultivation is relatively small and fragmented. Cultivating methods are out-dated,
unsustainable, and in low efficiency. Many local agricultural specilities are not

introduced to market and have not yet branded. The application of hightechnology is limited, especially in agriculture production following VietGap
standard.
3.2.2. Limitations of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in society
The Northwestern intellectuals perform their roles well in poverty
eradication, creating more jobs. However, the Northwest has the highest ratio of
poor households in the country. All six provinces in this region have very high
ratio of poor households. Among the six province, Hoa Binh has the lowest


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poverty ratio. Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces have the highest poverty ratio.
This is a big challenge for sustainable development in the Northwest. It is
asserted that, the provinces in the Northwest in general, the Northwestern
intellectuals in particular need greater efforts in poverty and hunger eradication.
Average monthly income per capital in the Northwest has been
significantly increasing during the past years. It is frankly saying that the rise in
income has not parallel to the potentials of the region. The average income per
capital of the Northwest is much lower than that of the country. This is a
challenge in the sustainable development in the Northwest. The people in the
Northwest, in general, the intellectuals in the Northwest, in particular, need
determination to grow and increase their income, and become reasonable rich on
their homeland.
Besides the important contribution in education quality improvement, the
Northwestern intellectuals have many remaining problems in improving people’s
intellect, human resource training, and talent nurturing. Education quality follows
the pathway of comprehension and effectiveness, but in comparison to criteria of
quality and educational goals, it is still problematic. Many students are ranked
poorly in term of academic. The ratio of students passing the university entrance
examination is lower than the average number of the country. Particularly, in the

national high school examination in 2018, among three provinces were caught
cheating, two from the Northwest. Many civil servants were in custody for
investigation.
Besides the achievements in health care services, there are many
limitations and difficulties in medical treatment services and the public health
sector. It is not easy for the people living in remote and difficult areas to
approach health care service. There are many difficulties in achieving the goal of
malnutrition eradication for children under five years old. It is very slow in the
implementation of national medical standard, up to now (2019), nearly half of all
the communes have not yet applied the standard.
3.2.3. Limitations of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in culture
The newly suggested living eco-environment for each type is not cooperating with the vernacular cultures, the distinguishing characteristics of the
local public space. Particularly in some re-settlement hamlets and villages, there
is no suitable and healthy cultural environment. They look modern but are not
suitable for tradition and living style of the local people. The domination over the
ethnic minority culture can be observed.
The intellectuals play the roles of introducing the Northwestern culture to
other areas, and learn the advanced culture from other areas. Jowever, the


16
achievement in culture and arts are not significant enough to make influencing
impacts on many fields such as ideology, ethics and behaviors of the people. A
group of people are still exploited by the illegal religious missionary. There is
still lacking high quality cultural goods and services in ideology and arts. Many
goods are affected by the trend of commercialization, and serve the poor tastes
in culture and arts.
3.2.4. Limitations of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in environment and natural

resources protection
The Northwestern intellectuals have not yet researched and transferred the
types of flora for industrial cultivation in slopy hills in rainy climate. They
haven’t introduced the good solutions for the shortage of water for ethnic
minority people living in the rocky mountains. They did not evisage all scenario
before building water resources treatment infrastructures. Consequently, when
being used, such infrastructures are not in a good system, generating low
efficiency and waste.
The Northwestern intellectuals play their roles in the sustainable
development of forest resources, conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity,
efficient and sustainable exploitation and use of mineral resources. However, in
the Northwest, illegal mineral exploitation, particularly in small mines, is
complecated, not only wasting the national resources but also causing social
disorder and insecurity.
3.2.5. Limitations of the roles of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals in sustainable development in national defence and security
The organization of the border management and protection forces is
sometimes ineffective. The situation of being caught off guard or being insecure
for a number of activities of illegal border entry, smuggling and women
trafficking women still exist. Propaganda is still weak, causing the situation that
a group of the people living in the border are indifferent to border protection,
considering it a task of merely the functional authorities.
Crimes prevention and suppression, especially drug transportation and
trafficking, have initially achieved results. However, the crimes of drug offenders
are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cunning, causing difficulties in
prevention and fighting. Diversified and professional criminals have attracted
young people who are lazy to work, employed children, the elderly, prostitutes
and especially drug users to drug transportation, buying and selling.
The intellectuals in the Northwest are in the research process to
summarize experience, and have not introduced feasible solutions to prevent

and combat against drug crimes. Every year, thousands drug cases occur, the


17
number of drug types is increasing, the nature of the cases is increasingly
complicated, drastic and dangerous, and the potential of these crimes in the
Northwest is still very high.
3.3. REASONS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS AND LIMITATIONS, AND THE
ISSUES EMERGING FROM THE REALITY OF THE ROLES OF
CONTINGENT INTELLECTUALS IN THE NORTHWEST IN SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

3.3.1. Reasons for achievements in the roles of intellectuals in the
Northwest in sustainable development
During the past years, the performance of roles of intellectuals in
sustainable development has gained great achievements. In fact, the
Northwestern intellectuals have been growing continuously in all aspects,
contributing greatly to the sustainable development in the Northwest. There are
several reasons for these achievements:
Firstly, the objective reasons
The Northwestern intellectuals can play their roles in sustainable
development because of the objective reasons, including the following:
The first objective reason is, the attention of the Party and Government in
the intellectuals and sustainable development.
The second objective reason is, the Northwestern intellectuals’ associations
can clearly play their roles.
Secondly, the subjective reasons
A majority of the Northwestern intellectuals are responsible for the
national cause, and the cause of sustainable development in the Northwest
region. A majority of them have a desire to devote more to the poverty

eradication, leveraging the Northwest to the middle income region in the country.
Despite the limited material conditions, the intellectuals have overcome the
difficulties, been proactive in creation, and desired to contribute their intellect to
the cause of sustainable development. They are fully aware that the potentials of
the Northwest are huge. The finance resources may be restricted but the human
resources are very important, it decides the success of the process to turn the
potentials of the Northwest to reality to serve the needs of sustainable
development in the region.
3.3.2. Reasons for limitations in the roles of intellectuals in the
Northwest in sustainable development
Among others, there are several key reasons for the limitations in the
making full use of the roles of the intellectuals in the Northwest in sustainable
development:


18
Firstly, the objective reasons
The intellectuals have many limitations in playing their roles in sustainable
development because of some objective reasons, namely:
The first objective reason is the limited awareness of the society about the
roles of intellectuals in sustainable development.
The second objective reason is the poor performance in leadership and
management of the local Party and Government authorities in making full use of
the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals in sustainable development.
Secondly, the subjective reasons
The capacity of the Northwestern intellectuals has not met the demands of
sustainable development. A group of the Northwestern intellectuals are
performing poorly in learning and applying advanced technology in solving the
theoretical and practical issues. Not only the ability to create new technology, but
also the ability to learn new technology is very limited.

A small group of intellectuals, especially the young intellectuals, still
chase after materialism, neglect ideology, politics, social responsibilities, civil
responsibility, disbelief in the leadership of the Party, and the pathway to
socialism that Uncle Ho and our People chose. Some people even degrade their
political faith, the level of ideology, revolutionary ethics, and corruption and
red tape. Such practice decreases the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals in
sustainable development.
3.3.3. Issues emerging from the reality of the roles of intellectuals in
the Northwest in sustainable development
During the past years, pursuant to the strategy and policies of the Party and
Government, provinces in the Northwest have been continuously taking care of
the development of the intellectuals. In fact, the intellectuals have been growing
in all aspects, contributing to sustainable development in the Northwest.
However, making full use of the roles of the intellectuals in the Northwest is
facing up with a lot of difficulties and has many limitations.
Firstly, the policies of education and training of the Northwestern
intellectuals have many limitations and do not meet the demands of sustainable
development.
Secondly, the policies of using and remuneration are not reasonable, as the
consequence, they cannot make full use of the contingent of intellectuals in
sustainable development.
Thirdly, the environment for democracy has not yet fully developed to
encourage the innovation and critical thinking of the intellectuals.


19
Chapter 4
VIEWPOINTS AND SOLUTIONS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE
ROLES OF INTELLECTUALS IN THE NORTHWEST IN
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TODAY

4.1. BASIC VIEWPOINTS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE ROLES OF
THE
NORTHWESTERN
INTELLECTUALS
IN
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT TODAY

4.1.1. To make full use of the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals is
to contribute importantly to the implementation of the strategic
breakthrough in highly qualified human resources for sustainable
development
The Northwest has a special geographic location. It is the connecting point
between Vietnam, ASEAN with the Southwest of China, with the population of
300 million, with the Northeast of Laos with abundant natural resources… These
are the resources for sustainable development. What lacking is the highly
qualified human resources. The contingent of intellectuals in the Northwest, on
the one hand, is the trainers for the human resources; on the other hand, they are
forming an important component of human resources. As the result, making full
use of the roles of the intellectuals is an important task in making full use of the
highly qualified human resources. Comprehensive development of human beings
is the goal of making full use of the intellectuals. Saying in other way, making
full use of the intellectuals in the Northwest contributes to the implementation of
the strategic breakthrough for sustainable development.
4.1.2. Making full use of the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals
should aim at achieving the goals of strategic task in sustainable
development in the Northwest
The Northwestern intellectuals are scientists, and at the same time are
the performers of political tasks of provinces in the region. Therefore, building
and making full use of this contingent must attach to the strategic orientation

of sustainable development and the general political missions of the
Northwest. In the maing full use of the contingent of the Northwestern
intellectuals, the intellectuals should be oriented to the research and
exploration, identify and problem-solving the issues emerged from theory and
practice of social life, at the same time providing the envisaged scientific
forecast, which is very essential. Making full use of the Northwestern
intellectuals who have good chrisma, sharp theory, highly professional, ability
to control, manage and serve the public, respect and serve the people’s
interests, and contribute to the victory achievements in the goals of socialeconomic development in the Northwest today.


20
4.1.3. Making full use of the roles of intellectuals in the Northwest
should be suitable for the demands of quantity, quality, and structure
The strength of the Northwestern intellectual resources is the unity between
the quality of each intellectual, the quantity of intellectuals and the structure of this
contingent. The number of intellectuals in the Northwest must ensure the
universality of contents and fields of operation. The quality of the intellectuals
indicates traits and capacity. Traits are reflected in the ideological stance, strong
political courage, professional ethical qualities, passion for creative research, and a
clean and simple lifestyle. Capacity is reflected in the ability to perform tasks in
reality, adapting flexibly and timely to the complex fluctuations of reality.
Reasonable or unreasonable structure creates impacts on the strength of the
intellectuals, and the quality and effectiveness of making full advantages of the
roles of the contingent. The rationality of both the structural system and each
component of the structure will ensure a synchronous and sustainable
development of resources, create favourable conditions for strengthening and
using the roles of the Northwest regional intellectuals. Identifying the structure of
the Northwestern intellectuals, to meet the requirements of socio-economic
development, is an important task.

4.1.4. Making full use of the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals
needs the synthetic strength of many factors, especially the internal growth
of intellectuals
A combination of internal and external factors needs to be considered in
taking full use of the Northwestern intellectuals. Internal factors are all elements
of each individual, as well as the entire intellectuals, which can create strength, it
reveals primarily in their scientific creation activities. Internal and external
factors also impact on making full use of the roles of the Northwestern
intellectuals. Internal factors are the basis, the key premise to decide and create
the strength of the intellectuals. The external factor is the support, affecting the
endogenous capacity, multiplying the inner strength, which is a sufficient
condition for the Northwestern intellectuals to fulfill their roles to their
homeland. Lack of either element, or two elements do not match, will cause the
lack of synergy.
4.2. KEY SOLUTIONS IN MAKING FULL USE OF THE ROLES OF
INTELLECTUALS
IN
THE
NORTHWEST
IN
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT TODAY

To make the full use of the intellectuals in the Northwest for sustainable
development, gradually reaching the same level with intellectuals in the
developed countries in the Asian region and the world, the viewpoints should be
implemented via the following solutions:


21

4.2.1. The group of solutions in policies for planning, education and
training for the intellectuals in the Northwest to meet the demand of
sustainable development of the region
Fristly, policies of planning
Planning must be based on the practical assessment of the current situation
of the Northwestern intellectuals. Planning in the number of intellectuals to be
trained and educated should meet the social needs. Currently, the planning for the
Northwestern intellectuals needs to focus on the sectors and areas that are and
will be still necessary in the coming time, such as industry, commerce, tourism,
economic management, urban management, and health. It is essential to have
specific plans in building and promoting the roles of intellectuals among the
ethnic minority people.
Secondly, policies of education and training
The Northwest needs to create a fundamental change in intellectual
training and fostering. Renewing training and education of Northwestern
intellectual contingent needs to focus on mobilizing and effectively using all
investment sources to develop education and training. Forms of training and
retraining should be diversified, in Vietnam and abroad. It is necessary to focus
on the orientation of training in the fields of which the intellectuals are
insufficient and weak, avoid rampant training which does not paying attention to
the practical demands, having policies of selecting and training excellent experts.
Strengthen scientific research and technology transfer activities. Combining
training with scientific research and business production. In the process of
training and education, in addition to training and education in professional
skills, it is also necessary to emphasise the training and education on politics
science and technology, foreign languages and information technology for
Northwestern intellectuals.
4.2.2. The group of solutions in policies for employment, recruitment,
and use for the intellectuals in the Northwest to meet the demand of
sustainable development of the region

Firstly, the solutions of employment
In the future, the region should implement the policy of talents attraction
and soud remuneration in terms of both materials and spirits. To do this, the region
need quickly scan to identify which industry really need experts, and the number
of the required experts, then making a plan to recruit them. During recruitment,
apart from remuneration, it should be communicated to the intellectuals that the
provinces need talents. If necessary, assign special tasks for leaders in each
industry to find and recruit the talented people in province. We should avoid the


22
practice of issuing remuneration policies then passively waiting for applicants and
heavy tested before official acceptance.
Secondly, the solutions of recruitment and usage
Recruitment mechanisms need to be renewed in the form of open and
transparent recruitment exams, creating a healthy competition in job hunting.
Creating favourable conditions for virtuous and talented intellectuals to choose
the right workplace which match their specialized training, and their personal
desire. It is necessary to fight against the practice of supporting people in local
network only, the conservatives, stagnation, arrangement and use of intellectuals
are not simply basing on their qualifications, but also pay attention to their true
competence. In the emplyment, arrangement, and use of human resources, in
addition to professional qualifications, attention should be paid to the political
quality and ethical lifestyle of the intellectuals.
4.2.3. The group of solutions in policies for remuneration, creating
favourable working conditions and environment for the intellectuals in the
Northwest to meet the demand of sustainable development of the region
Firstly, remuneration policies
Remuneration policies, both in materials and spirit, should be applied to
the intellectuals. Material and spiritual remunerations are important drives to

stimulate the creativeness, as well as creating favourable conditions for the
Northwestern intellectuals actively improve their knowledge and capacity. At the
same time, the proper material and spiritual remuneration also show the respects
and the appreciation of the society toward to intellectuals.
Secondly, policies of working environment and conditions
A good working environment needs material infrastructure, equipment,
system of information; a democratic and open atmostphere, encouraging frank
professional exchange; good team spirit and mutual support; ensuring the
equality in rights and responsibilities, justice in work assessment, use, and
remuneration; the working condition with positive competition, and no envy
against the talents; the need for creation and research can emerge and develop in
such environment.
4.2.4. The group of solutions in policies for raising awareness of the roles
of the intellectuals in the Northwest to meet the demand of sustainable
development of the region
Firstly, the awareness of local Party and Government
Increasing the leadership of local Party and Government in building and
making full use of the roles of the Northwestern intellectuals is an essential


23
requirement. Ensuring the partisan, polictics and ideology in the creative
activities of the intellectuals, to make the full use of the roles of the intellectuals
in sustainable development. Renovation in intellectuals managing mechanism,
more exactly, is the management of the intellectuals and their activity
management. In managing the intellectuals, their education, training, and how
they are employed need enhanced monitoring.
Secondly, awareness of intellectual groups and intellectuals
The intellectual associations, especially the Science and Technology
Associations and the Arts and Literature Associations, need to raise awareness in

promoting the roles of the intellectuals in sustainable development. Associations
should strictly perform the function of gathering and uniting the contingent of
intellectuals, acting as a focal point between association members and agencies
of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other organizations, to
address general issues in activities of the inter-associations. The intellectuals
themselves must not only be fully aware of their roles in sustainable
development, but also take practical actions to participate in the dissemination of
scientific and technological knowledge among people, organizations and guide
the mass movement to advanced science and technology. Actively participate in
social consultancy, criticism and assessment activities, to contribute to building a
scientific basis for designing programs, plans, guidelines and policies of the Party
and Government.

CONCLUSION
During the past years, together with the nationwide intellectuals, the
Northwestern intellectuals have contributed significantly in the implementation
and performance of some missions for sustainable development. However, the
achievements and advancements are not equal to the potentials of the Northwest
region. The level of social-economic development is lower than other regions in
the country. To examine in five perspective of sustainable development to identify
many issues that the Northwestern intellectuals need to address.
Firstly, the economic efficiency and competitive power is still weak. The
economic growth depends largely on the width. The governmental investment gets
little achievements, but loss and waste. There are some obstacles in the
environment for investment and business, which have not created favourable
conditions for economic growth.