President Tran Duc Luong reads the report on the proposal to the National Assembly to ratify the Vietnam - US Trade Agreement, at the 10th session of the 10th National Assembly, November 23, 2001. Photo: Nhan Sang/ VNA
Nearly 30 years of experience in the field of geological mapping
During nearly 30 years of working in the geological mapping industry (1959-1986), he traveled throughout the mountainous regions, surveyed and researched geology, making an important contribution to the construction of a national resource database serving socio -economic development. A typical example is the work "Geological Map of Vietnam at a scale of 1/500,000" (published in 1981) of which he was a co-author (a Soviet-Vietnam cooperation project) - a large-scale project of strategic significance in resource management and socio-economic development. In addition to this project, he also worked with colleagues in the Geological Mapping Department to create a Mineral Map of Vietnam at a scale of 1/500,000 (published in 1988). These two works were awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology in 2005.
As the Director General of the General Department of Geology of Vietnam, he has comprehensively organized and implemented basic investigation, search and exploration of minerals nationwide. At the same time, he reorganized the system of geological units in the conditions of the unified country. Along with that, he helped Laos and Cambodia to organize new geological federations...
President Tran Duc Luong meets workers of Khe Cham Coal Company mining coal in the underground mine (2002). Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
Perhaps, starting out as a geological engineer - a profession that requires meticulousness, precision and patience - has shaped a style: quiet, valuing scientific basis and practical effectiveness in former President Tran Duc Luong.
A strong mark in leading an important period of the country
When moving to the field of State management, former President Tran Duc Luong continued to affirm his role as a strategic leader, capable of covering many complex fields.
As Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (1987-1992) and then Deputy Prime Minister (1992-1997), he made many contributions to the process of innovation in economic management thinking, helping the country overcome difficult socio-economic periods, gradually stabilizing and developing.
President Tran Duc Luong inspects the planning of Ha Long Bay, to ensure economic development and environmental landscape protection (October 15, 1997). Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he was the one who promoted cooperation with the Russian Federation, especially in the fields of oil and gas and energy; sought ways to maintain the purchase of equipment complexes for Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (from units 5 to 8); re-signed and implemented the Vietnam - Russia Cooperation Agreement in the field of oil and gas...; maintained the operation of the Vietnam - Russia Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. At the same time, he directed the development and participated in the development of a number of important laws, such as: Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam in 1987, Law on Private Enterprises in 1990, Land Law in 1993, Law on Petroleum in 1993, Law on Encouragement of Domestic Investment in 1995, Law on State-owned Enterprises in 1995...; helped the Government issue decrees and decisions to establish Corporations and Economic Groups; Directed the drafting for the Government to promulgate Decrees on housing policies in the renovation period, decisions and decrees on autonomy, self-investment, financial autonomy, investment cooperation with foreign countries to develop projects with advanced economic and technical levels in important fields (oil and gas, energy, transportation, aviation, cement, textiles, agriculture, forestry and fishery) ... opening a period of strong development in all economic and technical sectors. Laws and decrees ... contributed to the formation and gradual improvement of the legal environment for different economic organizations operating in a multi-sector economy, operating under market mechanisms, under the management of the State.
In particular, in his capacity as President (1997-2006) - a period of strong transformation of the country, President Tran Duc Luong made many contributions to the development of the country. Under his leadership, many socio-economic development policies and strategies were concretized, aiming at improving people's lives, maintaining political stability, ensuring national security and defense and enhancing Vietnam's international position.
President Tran Duc Luong visits technical facilities serving information work at the International Telecommunication Center Region 1 (Hanoi). Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
President Tran Duc Luong meets young talents in the fields of education, culture, arts and sports who have won high international awards (Hanoi, January 23, 2000). Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
Regarding domestic affairs, under his leadership and that of other Party and State leaders, reforms in institutions, apparatus organization and administrative procedures have been gradually implemented, creating a foundation for the process of modernization and integration. He paid deep attention to the construction of a socialist rule-of-law state, promoting administrative reform, and building a team of clean and dedicated cadres and civil servants. He affirmed: “In the period of innovation, promoting industrialization and modernization of the country, the objective requirement is to reform the state apparatus, adjust the scope of content and methods of operation of the state accordingly. The principle of state management and social management by law must be promoted more than ever” (1). At the same time, he always emphasized: "In the field of judicial activities, the Party's guidelines, the Constitution and the laws of our State always uphold the principles of respecting and protecting human rights, the principles of equality, fairness, publicity and transparency in the building and implementation of laws" (2).
He was assigned by the Politburo to be in charge of the inter-sectoral working group to draft the project "Defending the Fatherland in the new situation" - the project was approved by the Politburo and the Central Executive Committee as a resolution (Resolution of the 8th Central Committee, Session IX). The resolution is of special importance and has long-term topicality. Proposed the Politburo to pass the Directive on judicial reform in the renovation period. Proposed and approved by the Politburo and the Secretariat to organize a large amnesty on the occasion of the Millennium transition (2000), this form was later applied more widely and was highly appreciated by domestic and international public opinion.
President Tran Duc Luong met with President Fidel Castro during his official friendship visit to Cuba, April 9, 2000. Photo: Trong Nghiep/VNA
In foreign affairs, he has made important contributions to expanding international cooperation, enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena. The image of President Tran Duc Luong in meetings with heads of state, on foreign trips or in receptions of international delegations has left an impression of a gentle, intelligent and courageous head of state. He has also always expressed a consistent stance on protecting national sovereignty and independence, while promoting peaceful, friendly and developmental diplomacy.
A profound, intellectual leader
President Truong Tan Sang presents the 55-year Party membership badge to comrade Tran Duc Luong (Hanoi, December 29, 2014). Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA
Former President Tran Duc Luong was a loyal party member who fought for the communist ideal all his life, a leader associated with an important period of the country, an exemplary, respectable, profound, and intellectual politician.
65 years since joining the ranks of the communists are 65 years of training and tireless dedication in all positions. He lived quietly, worked devotedly, leaving many lasting values in policies and in the memories of those who accompanied him. According to Dr. To Van Truong, former Director of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Planning, if he could say a short sentence about former President Tran Duc Luong, it would be: "He was a quiet politician, but his intelligence and influence spread quietly and persistently."
The passing of former President Tran Duc Luong has left deep sorrow in the hearts of compatriots, comrades and international friends. His name and career will forever be respectfully remembered in the history of the Vietnamese revolution.
Some important milestones in the working process of former President Tran Duc Luong
- Date of birth: May 5, 1937
- Hometown: Pho Khanh commune, Duc Pho district (now Duc Pho town), Quang Ngai province.
- Date of joining the Party: December 19, 1959
- Date of death: May 20, 2025
- Member of the Party Central Committee: Term V, VI, VII, VIII, IX
- Member of the Politburo: Term VIII, IX
- Member of the Politburo Standing Committee: 8th Term
- Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (February 1987 - September 1992)
- Deputy Prime Minister (October 1992 - August 1997)
- President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council: 10th and 11th terms
- National Assembly Delegate: Term VII, VIII, X, XI.
- Rewards:
Gold Star Order
65-year Party membership badge and many other noble medals, awards, and titles.
(1), (2) excerpts from the article "Promoting judicial reform in the context of building a socialist rule-of-law state in Vietnam" by President Tran Duc Luong (Article for Communist Magazine, April 2002 issue)
Dung Duyen (Vietnam News Agency)
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/dau-an-cua-nguyen-chu-tich-nuoc-tran-duc-luong-trong-su-nghiep-xay-dung-va-phat-trien-dat-nuoc-20250523073929122.htm
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