Attending the presentation, from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong - Vice Rector; leaders of the Cooperation and Development Department, the Scientific Research Management, the International Studies, and the Political Science Department; along with a large number of lecturers, graduate students, practitioners as well as students from different faculties in the University. Pleased to welcome the Ambassador, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Thanh Truong (Vice Rector of the University) sent his gratitude to the Sri Lankan Embassy and the Ambassador personally for his love, attention, and valuable time for the University's students. At the same time, he hoped that during his term, the Ambassador would support further promoting cooperation in training and scientific research between the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Sri Lanka's universities and educational organizations. Vice Principal Dao Thanh Truong emphasized: Today's talkshow will be a very meaningful scientific activity. The topic " Vietnam's Economic Transformation during the Reform Period: Causes, Foreign Policy & Future Prospects " will bring forth an intriguing topic, which will certainly raise a lot of interesting discussion and methods through an objective lense at Vietnam's achievements in recent times as well as future prospects.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam share many similarities in the history of war for national independence and have established diplomatic relations since the 1970s. To date, the two countries have established two bilateral cooperation mechanisms: the Joint Committee on Economics, Science and Technology (chaired at the Foreign Minister level), and the Political Consultation Mechanism was established in October 2011. Currently, Sri Lanka is Vietnam's 4th largest economic partner in South Asia. Effective cooperation activities between the Embassy of Sri Lanka and VNU-USSH in recent times have contributed to affirming and further strengthening the partnership in many fields between the two countries.
Before presenting, Ambassador Saj U.Mendis shared his own experience with all VNU-USSH students about the "secrets" to achieving success in careers: no matter who you are, what job you do, and what country you come from, the key factor is discipline and perseverance in pursuing your goals to the end. “Always write down your main goals and read them every day, at least three times, to remind you to pursue them fiercely and positively,” the Ambassador emphasized. “Besides, it is necessary to regularly cultivate and develop excellent soft skills such as communication, cooperation, and negotiation even while you are still in school." Regarding Vietnam's economic, social and diplomatic development since 1990, the presentation of the Sri Lankan Ambassador gave specific numbers and a very in-depth analysis showing strong development. At the same time, he expressed his admiration for the achievements that Vietnam has achieved in recent times.
In the 1960s and 1970s Vietnam was one of the poorest countries in the world, a country that had experienced more military conflict and suffering than any other country in the past century. The Ambassador shared: When I studied in the US in the 1990s, people in the US considered Vietnam a poor, malnourished, underdeveloped country lacking the basic needs of its people and devastated by many wars. But since 1990, especially after 1995, Vietnam has implemented socialist-oriented market economic policies and achieved many successes.
And Vietnam's image and position on the international ground have gone through drastic changes. In 1990, Vietnam's GDP per capita was only about 90 USD, today it is 4,450 USD. Vietnam today is among the fastest-growing major economies in the world and has a bilateral trade turnover (exports and imports) larger than its entire GDP.
Since 1995, some of the largest global corporations such as Samsung, Toyota, Intel, Hyundai, LG, Lotte, Honda and Apple, along with a number of other transnational corporations have invested significantly in Vietnam. That shows that the Vietnamese market is very enticing to the global market.
The presentation by Prof. Dr. Saj U.Mendis also pointed out the core reasons leading to Vietnam's outstanding achievements over the past three decades: political stability and consistency in the national development policy of the Communist Party and Government; Vietnam's strategic location; Competent and committed human resources, relatively low production costs and labor wages; Open foreign policy attracting a large number of foreign investors, as well as effectively utilizing support and cooperation from international investments. Regarding foreign policy, Vietnam maintains and implements an independent, principled foreign policy, in absolute compliance with international law. Vietnam is a country that always maintains a balance with major powers and economic partners in the world as well as in the East Asia region, including the US, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador emphasized: Vietnam today is considered by the world to be one of the most sought-after countries as well as a "Mecca" in terms of investment, production, trade activities and tourism. Before the pandemic, Vietnam welcomed 19 million tourists each year, one of the countries receiving the highest number of tourists in the region. Many international tourists love the diversity, culture, natural beauty, Vietnamese cuisine, hospitable and friendly people.     After his presentation, the Sri Lankan Ambassador received many lively and open discussions from lecturers and students of VNU-USSH. With his profound knowledge and personal experience, the Ambassador gave valuable advice to Vietnamese students to self-cultivate and succeed in the era of digitalization: Discipline is the repetition of good habits and must be practiced every day, which is the key to success.