A person with great contributions to hydropower development in Vietnam

Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne - former Minister of Energy, affirmed: Former Deputy Prime Minister, former President Tran Duc Luong is a diligent, close-knit, dedicated person with many contributions to the Power Industry of Vietnam, especially in the hydropower field.

According to the story of Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne, during the construction of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, in his role as Director General of the General Department of Geology (later renamed the General Department of Geology and Minerals), comrade Tran Duc Luong directly went to the construction site many times to inspect. In the Power industry - a field that requires long-term vision and high technology - comrade Tran Duc Luong demonstrated the mindset of a calm, insightful, meticulous, and cautious leader and technical scientist.

In 1994, at the time of its inauguration, Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant was the largest hydropower work in Southeast Asia. This work has held the leading position in the Power industry for many years. This work marked remarkable progress in Vietnam's capacity to construct large, long-term, high-tech works. During the construction of the work, comrade Thai Phung Ne was the Head of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Work Management Board. In this position, comrade Thai Phung Ne reported many times directly to comrade Tran Duc Luong to approve many important decisions.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Duc Luong (front row, second from left) cutting ribbon to start up 8th generator of Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (1994). Source: Hoa Binh Book - Electric light shines endlessly

Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne affirmed that comrade Tran Duc Luong made significant contributions to the construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant, offering many important ideas that helped ensure the successful completion of the work.

Also according to Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne, comrade Tran Duc Luong's great contributions were also demonstrated through his involvement in policy decisions regarding the construction of hydropower plants on the Da River cascade from 1995 to 2000.

Later, when he became President, comrade Tran Duc Luong still paid much attention to the hydropower development field. During his working trip to Son La province from October 9-12, 2005, the President visited resettlement sites in Muong Chum commune, Muong La district, Chieng Bang commune, Quynh Nhai district, and Tan Lap commune, Moc Chau district. With a designed capacity of 2,400MW, this is the largest hydropower project in our country and Southeast Asia. At that time, checking the progress of preparations for the groundbreaking of the Son La hydropower work, the President was delighted to see that the technological and technical level of the Vietnamese engineers, technical staff, and workers had made great strides, meeting international standards.

During his work, the President also visited the construction work of the Ialy Hydropower Plant on 12 September  1999. In 2002, when visiting the employees of this plant, the President affirmed: "The Yaly Hydropower Plant will forever be a symbol of Vietnam's bravery and intelligence in the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country".

Important imprints in directing power works development

During his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the energy file, comrade Tran Duc Luong left many profound impressions, especially in the strategic direction and practical implementation of large power projects - from long-term planning to specific construction organization. Together with Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet - who is always mentioned for his drastic innovation mindset, comrade Tran Duc Luong is the one who contributed to creating a solid foundation for the power industry with a master plan, long-term vision, systematic, and scientific.

According to the story of Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne, comrade Tran Duc Luong is one of the leaders directly involved in directing the development and approval of national power plans in the early stages of the renovation period, including National Power Development Plan IV, V, and VI. These are long-term plans for Vietnam's power system in the context of explosive energy demand growth and the country's industrialization and modernization entering an accelerated phase. These plans have created the foundation for the synchronous development of power sources and transmission grids throughout the country.

Chairman of Council of Ministers Vo Van Kiet, Vice Chairman of Council of Ministers Tran Duc Luong (front row, 3rd from right) and delegation attending groundbreaking ceremony of 500kV circuit-1 line, and inspecting construction of first pole of 500kV circuit -1 line (1992). Photo source: EVN Database

In particular, in the construction work of the North-South 500kV circuit-1 line, a miracle of the Vietnamese Power industry, comrade Tran Duc Luong left a clear mark as a leader who was hands-on, closely involved at the project site, and decisive in his direction. He is not only a senior leader who participates in approving policies but also directly goes to the construction site many times to inspect the construction progress, work with construction teams, and promptly resolve arising issues.

According to Hero of Labor, Dr. Thai Phung Ne - former Minister of Energy, and the person who directly manages many key projects: "Comrade Tran Duc Luong's instructions are very practical, in-depth, and highly technical. For example, during the construction of the circuit -1 line, comrade Tran Duc Luong decided to deploy domestic production of corner poles. Because the load-bearing pole has a complex design, he requested that it be tested for actual load and deformation assessment, etc. When meeting technical requirements, they are allowed to be deployed on a large scale". His practical and meticulous direction has helped contractors and technical units gradually master technology, enhancing the internal strength of the Vietnamese Electricity industry in constructing large works.

Not only in construction, in the bidding stage for equipment procurement for the circuit-1 line project - international bidding, comrade Tran Duc Luong requested that the bidding units organize public and transparent bidding. He directly reviewed and commented on all major bidding results to ensure the selection of reputable, quality contractors and optimal investment costs.

When comrade Tran Duc Luong was President, the 500kV circuit-2 line work was implemented. He still took the time to listen to the project investor and construction units' reports on the construction process. That is a testament to comrade Tran Duc Luong's persistent interest and long-term commitment to the Vietnam Power industry. This field is always considered "one step ahead" in socio-economic development.

Former President Tran Duc Luong attended Ceremony to celebrate 60th anniversary of Vietnam Power Industry's Traditional Day and receive Ho Chi Minh Medal for second time on 21 December  2014 in Hanoi. Photo source: EVN Database

It can be said that comrade Tran Duc Luong is a leader with strategic thinking and a scientific style, close to the people, close to reality, and especially profound in the energy sector. From the role of a technical officer to becoming the head of the State, he has always closely followed every step of the development of the Power industry.

The development of Vietnam's Power industry in many stages bears the mark of comrade Tran Duc Luong's leadership. He is not only a diligent, thorough, and decisive leader, but also a humble leader, and always looks towards the common interest. These are the sustainable values ​​that the Power industry today still inherits and promotes, contributing to bringing Vietnam forward strongly on the path of industrialization and modernization.

Translator: Thanh Hải