As the nation draws near the 50th anniversary of reunification, it seems everyone carries within them a quiet expectation to look back on the path that has shaped modern-day Vietnam. In this spirit, Have A Sip also chose to reflect on the country’s journey through the perspective of Dr. Bùi Kiến Thành, a renowned financial and economic expert.
While abundant information about Dr. Thành can easily be found online, enough, indeed, to overwhelm any reader. His presence on Have A Sip was marked by humility. Together with host Thùy Minh, he reminisced about history, contemplated the present, and cast his gaze toward the future.
A Life Unfolding Like Cinema
A few keystrokes in any search engine will readily yield a detailed portrait of Dr. Bùi Kiến Thành’s career and achievements. Yet on Have A Sip, his story unfolded not through accolades, but as a tender recollection, as though shared by a grandfather in his own home. He gently retraced memories from childhood, adolescence, and his formative years studying in France — all of which he described as marked by “destiny”, a word he repeated often.
Born in a rural village in Quảng Nam, Dr. Thành was raised by a mother who managed both household and farmland. His maternal grandfather, a government official in Huế, was the earliest and most influential figure in his life. As a child, he memorized the patriotic poem Cắt Tóc (Cutting Hair) by Nguyễn Quyền, which urged individuals to live in service of the nation. At the age of 94, Dr. Thành still recites it fluently — a quiet testament to the fact that, even as a young boy, he understood his life’s path was never meant to be one of quiet obscurity in the countryside.
That moment of destiny, he believes, shaped his life’s trajectory. Determined to study and gain knowledge, he journeyed from a village to the city, and eventually to the streets of Europe. His life, indeed, reads like a carefully directed film.
The Aspirations Of A Young Man In A Newly Independent Nation
When asked by host Thùy Minh about what had fueled his early academic pursuit, Dr. Thành replied candidly: it was the burning resolve of a young man who had lived under colonial rule. With enthusiasm, he recited a poem about youth spirit, filling the room with the fervor of idealism that once shaped his youth.
Dr. Thành recounted his memories of Vietnam in 1945 — the atmosphere, the mindset of the generation who came of age during that momentous time. His reflections brought the past to life, not only as historical narrative, but as moral lessons and heartfelt guidance.
From Vietnam’s national history, each of us may draw personal meaning. For the young Bùi Kiến Thành, that meaning crystallized into a singular imperative: to study hard and pursue goals aligned with his personal responsibility to an independent homeland.
Destiny Can Hardly Be Predicted
In a different life, perhaps Vietnam would have known Bùi Kiến Thành as a space scientist. During his studies in France, he was deeply fascinated by aerospace engineering. Yet a letter from his father would alter the course of his destiny — advising him to study economics and finance, fields more urgently needed by the homeland. Trusting this guidance, he set aside his childhood dreams and chose a path of service.
This story is emblematic of a generation that helped shape Vietnam’s present: individuals who, when given opportunities abroad, often sought ways to support their homeland.
He later traveled to the United States to pursue advanced study in economics. But even then, he did not passively follow predetermined paths. Instead of attending the seminary school initially suggested, he sought out progressive institutions with dynamic student bodies — believing these environments would best prepare him for the future he envisioned.
Dr. Thành’s life story again became a gentle exhortation to today’s youth, as he emphasized during the interview: “While we cannot foresee our destiny, we must recognize opportunity when it arises — and pursue it with intention.”
A Major Contributor To Vietnam’s Economic Renovation
President Hồ Chí Minh once said, “The elderly are an invaluable asset to the nation.” And in offering his life’s “asset” to Have A Sip, Dr. Thành filled the conversation with historical allusions and ancient parables.
He invoked the stories of Zhang Liang and Han Xin — two founding generals of the Han Dynasty, one of whom withdrew quietly after achieving his goals, the other meeting a tragic end for his unmatched accomplishments. From these tales, Dr. Thành distilled his life philosophy: to act without claiming credit — a principle that carried him through both political transitions and historical upheaval. “What matters most,” he reflected, “is not personal gain, but one’s contributions to society and community.
It was with such conviction that he maintained relations with the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in France even after April 30, 1975. This, in turn, opened a path for him in his capacity as an economic expert, to contribute to the Vietnam’s Đổi Mới (Renovation) policy.
Though nearly four decades have passed, Dr. Thành believes Đổi Mới remains only half complete. The rest and the future of Vietnam lies in the younger generation.
“Emerging From The Chrysalis”: A Message To The Next Generation
Despite his age, Dr. Bùi Kiến Thành remains animated by unwavering passion and bold dreams for Vietnam’s future. His confidence in the country’s potential is rooted in detailed analysis of its geographic advantages and the character of its people. He shared visionary ideas — including the concept of building a Silicon Valley in Vietnam — while emphasizing the responsibility of the youth to carry forward the legacy they have inherited.
In his envisioned future, Vietnam is not cast as a “small” nation. Rather, he urges the next generation to confidently “emerge from the chrysalis as butterflies” to rise higher, and farther.
As April returns each year, it brings with it reflection on the past, contemplation of the present, and excitement for the future. The pride and conviction born from Vietnam’s cultural identity and boundless potential may well be the greatest gift that Dr. Thành has given us a quiet reminder that our shared destiny lies in what we dare to imagine, and how we choose to act.