Sydney (VNA) – Prof. Nghiem Duc Long, Director of the Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and President of the Vietnam-Australia Scholars and Experts Association (VASEA) has shared insights on Vietnam’s extraordinary transformation since its reunification on April 30, 1975 with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Sydney.

Reflecting on five decades of progress, Long highlighted Vietnam’s rise from the ashes of war to a dynamic nation with an increasingly important role in the region and the world, adding that officers of the Vietnam People's Army have actively participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He credited Vietnam’s success to its resilient and persevering people, supported by open-door policies, global integration, and a strong emphasis on human development, especially in education and science.

Vietnam’s true asset, Long stressed, lies in its youthful, ambitious workforce deeply rooted in cultural values like patriotism, solidarity, and gratitude - qualities he likened to the enduring strength of bamboos.

The spirit of national unity, he noted, was the core strength enabling Vietnam to overcome historical challenges and achieve the monumental victory of April 30, 1975. Today, that spirit remains vital to the nation’s development process. Of particular importance is the bond between domestic and overseas Vietnamese (OV) communities, an invaluable resource that, if leveraged effectively, can carry Vietnam forward.

With the right policies and mechanisms to encourage OVs' involvement in strategic national projects, Vietnam can greatly amplify its collective strength. The unity is not only a legacy of the past, but also the key to the future where Vietnam becomes a hub of knowledge, innovation, and compassion, producing global citizens who not only build the nation but also contribute to humanity.

In the era of digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution, Long underscored the importance of values forged through Vietnam’s struggle for independence and reunification. Resilience, self-reliance, innovation, adaptability, and ambition serve as enduring sources of inspiration and drivers of future growth.

As the VASEA President, Long has actively fostered collaboration between Vietnamese and Australian institutions, notably the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. One standout initiative is a real-time water quality monitoring solution for coastal aquaculture.

Vietnamese experts in Australia are also partnering with domestic institutions on key programmes related to semiconductor, artificial intelligence, digital technologies for industry, aquaculture, clean energy, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. They are also working with the Vietnamese charity ASIF and Vietschool to develop an AI-powered, digital Vietnamese language teaching toolkit.

He described the April 30, 1975 victory as a historic milestone embodying the Vietnamese will for national independence, patriotism, and unity. These historical lessons, he asserted, continue to resonate today. Perhaps the most profound is the spirit of reconciliation and forward-looking dialogue. Rather than dwelling on past bitterness, Vietnam has chosen cooperation, mutual respect, and trust, as evident in its comprehensive strategic partnerships with countries like the US and Australia.

The scholar concluded with a firm belief that if historical lessons are honoured; unity, reconciliation and openness are upheld, and the strength of the global Vietnamese community is nurtured, Vietnam will not only continue to integrateܫ successfully, but also emerge as a respected, responsible, and impactful contributor to the global community./.