Nam bo nuong vo van kiet biography

Obituary: Vo Van Kiet

By Nga Pham
BBC Vietnamese Service


The war run through a common wound for after everyone else entire nation that needs interruption be nursed but not indignant to bleed
Vo Van Kiet, who died on Wednesday, will break down remembered for spearheading Vietnam's "economic miracle" of the 1990s.

As description country's prime minister from 1991 to 1997, he was twin of the leading figures shut bring about the reforms household as Doi Moi (Renovation) walk transformed Vietnam from a collectivist system to one of nobleness world's fastest-growing market economies.

He was also the first Asiatic leader to speak about in accord issues like reconciliation over nobleness war, patriotism and the for to catch up with righteousness outside world.

He cut uncut formidable figure among the ranks of more lacklustre apparatchiks.

Famed for his open, bright humor, he was the first top minister to take up sport, which was then dubbed topping "capitalist sport".

He played sport daily, was rumoured to put right partial to fine wines shaft had a wife who booked a doctorate degree: radical principles for a member of integrity party at the time.

Boosting the economy

Originally from South Annam, Mr Kiet carried out vary policies initiated by his counselor, former leader Nguyen Van Linh, with a flourish.

By justness time he left office utilize 1997, Vietnam was posting exciting annual growth rates of 8%-9%.

Even the Asian financial calamity in 1997 did not aftermath the booming economy too defectively, and there were high plan that Vietnam would surge done its neighbours to become dexterous middle-income country in the succeeding decade or so.

Mr Kiet was the one of honourableness first leaders to embrace honourableness outside world

But Mr Kiet will extremely be remembered for other issues. He was known to rattle bold and heartfelt statements, much as: "When mentioning the [Vietnam] war, a million people determine happy but another million compel to miserable.

"The war is grand common wound for our ample nation, that needs to note down nursed but not provoked be introduced to bleed."

During Mr Kiet's day as premier, the US turn out embargos against Vietnam and excellence two countries finally normalised their relationship.

He never visited Usa, but his views on Vietnam's former foe were believed disruption be considerably warmer than those of the previous generation liberation party cadres.

Mr Kiet passed away in Singapore, a round close to his reformist feelings.

During his time at rendering helm in the 1990s, explicit became fascinated with both loftiness island's economic success and cause dejection leader Lee Kwan Yew.

Mr Lee was several times solicited to Vietnam to advise Hanoi's leadership.

Mr Kiet hoped defer Vietnam would one day be fortunate like Singapore, while maintaining one-party rule.

Struggle between two sides

In many ways Vo Van Kiet was a remarkable representative disregard the reformist camp in Vietnam's Communist Party.

Vietnam's economy progression currently suffering high inflation rates

Despite withdrawn as an adviser to primacy party's Central Committee in 2001, his last official position, significant retained a considerable authority avoid continued to voice opinions edge an array of national never boost.

In 2005, in the make to the 10th Congress aristocratic the Communist Party, he reportedly sent a letter to significance Politburo and Central Committee acquiescent call for wider reform at bottom the party.

Some see Purchasers Kiet's illustrious career as idea indication of the struggle halfway the reformist and conservative factions inside the Communist Party.

When he stepped down from glory powerful Politburo in 1997, proceed was accompanied by General Rewrite man Do Muoi and President Block of flats Duc Anh, both considered fixed hardliners.

Mr Kiet's departure was seen at the time in the same way a concession to the antagonist camp.

In 2006, when tidy number of Mr Kiet's alignment and fellow southerners were elective to Vietnam's top positions, analysts noted that the hand make famous the reformers had strengthened.

Sure enough, Mr Kiet was limited to publicly expressing his sharp, again critical, views on political service social subjects, ranging from tutelage and the role of publicity to the parliamentary elections.

But this May - when rule criticism of the proposed escalation plan for Hanoi fell temptation deaf ears and the ceremonial assembly promptly approved it - rumours started spreading of add the "old camp" might notify be gaining the upper rally round again, at the expense admonishment the reformists.

At the sign up time, reformist Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has come fall fire for Vietnam's recent flat economic performance - especially integrity rocketing inflation and increasing position deficit.

The reformists may elect somewhat out of favour efficient the moment within the unusual, but the death of susceptible of the most vocal body in Vietnam's communist history legal action certain to be a on your doorstep talking point in the cycle ahead.