Individualism threatens to undermine Vietnam's socialist goals and doctrines, the president told legislators Wednesday.
"In the words of our great leader President Ho Chi Minh, individualism is the enemy of the cause of socialism," a frail President Le Duc Anh said.Anh, 76 and recovering from a stroke, made a rare public appearance to deliver a brief but stern speech to the National Assembly, encouraging Vietnam to stay the course of communism while urging economic reform.
Representatives from across Vietnam were in Hanoi for the final session of the current National Assembly. Anh is among several leaders likely to be replaced by the next assembly, to be elected in July.
"Individualism is prevailing in various forms," said Anh, the most conservative of Vietnam's troika of leaders. "We cannot allow selfish individual interests interfere with the interests of the community."
Anh, an ex-general, has been reluctant to accept market-oriented reforms, warning they could spawn greed and corruption.
During his speech, Anh praised Vietnam's efforts to strengthen its economy but emphasized the need to preserve the military and the Communist Party.