Vietnam at the Crossroads — Reflections on a Global Moment

Whether you agree or not with the direction, it’s undeniable: Vietnam has entered the global conversation in a way we haven’t seen before.

The Economist’s latest cover story, “The Man with a Plan for Vietnam,” features our new General Secretary, Tô Lâm — not just as a political figure, but as a symbol of Vietnam’s ambition in the 21st century. That image alone — a Vietnamese leader rendered in global media with the weight of both hope and scrutiny — says something about how far we’ve come.

As someone who grew up between systems, cultures, and continents, I feel a strange mix of pride and curiosity. Pride that Vietnam is no longer seen as just a geopolitical bystander. Curiosity about whether we can truly deliver what the article calls our “second miracle” — moving from export-driven growth to innovation-led transformation.

It’s easy to reduce this moment to one man’s plan. But the real story will be whether Vietnam can build the institutions, mindset, and trust needed to make the next leap. Leadership matters — but so does governance, transparency, and space for talent to rise.

There’s no playbook for a country like Vietnam at this stage of development. But the fact that global media are watching — and debating — is a signal. The world is paying attention.

The question now is: what story will we write next?