Discover the InterLOG 2026 Calendar “Innovation from Zero” - a tribute to the defining milestones that shaped Vietnam’s early era of transformation, where resilience, creativity, and collaboration laid the foundation for a future of growth and progress.
The InterLOG 2026 Calendar, titled “Innovation from Zero,” is more than a tool for tracking days-it tells the story of Vietnam’s journey before the Innovation Era. Through hardship, challenges, and missteps, the nation accumulated invaluable lessons that gradually shaped a spirit of innovation and a determination to rise and develop. Each image marks a milestone: from national reunification, the revival of factories, and the richness of spiritual life, to agricultural creativity and comprehensive reform-all forming a vivid picture of a country learning to transform itself from Zero.
1975 - 1976: National Reunification
The year 1976 is a historic milestone as Vietnam was officially reunified, renamed, and entered a new era. It was a moment of immense joy - a long-awaited reunion of a nation that had endured tremendous loss. Yet this period also revealed limitations, as too much confidence was placed in a single development model, unintentionally restricting space for diverse approaches. Renovation does not begin with optimism alone, but with the courage to look back, to acknowledge mistakes, and to adjust for growth. This lesson laid the foundation for the transformations that followed, as any journey rising from Zero requires an open mindset and a readiness to change.
1977 - 1980: Seeking a way forward amid hardship
From 1977 to 1980, Vietnam lived under ration coupons and a centrally planned economy, operating with severe shortages and rigid constraints. This minimum-guarantee system offered some stability after the war, yet it also stifled creativity, slowed progress, and fostered passivity.
Even so, the nation quietly sought new directions. Factories reopened, workers toiled beside aging machinery, and a resilient spirit emerged - proof that the people refused to surrender to difficulty. Within the restrictive framework of the subsidy era, the seeds of renewal began to form, reminding us that human intellect cannot flourish when confined. From this struggle, the journey forward from Zero became clear: innovation often begins in scarcity, and hardship itself becomes the driving force for change.
1978 - 1985: Cultural life that cherished spiritual values
During the subsidy period, when goods were scarce and everything was measured in ration coupons, Vietnamese people preserved a wealth far greater than material possessions: neighborly affection, generosity, and solidarity. Mobile film screenings that gathered entire neighborhoods, the familiar sound of nightly radio broadcasts, and moments of sharing food among households became cherished memories of a difficult yet deeply warm era.
In scarcity, people learned to rely on one another and treasure simple but lasting values. This, too, is a profound lesson for innovation today: progress does not always arise from abundance, but from inner strength and human connection - seemingly small things that form the foundation for greater advancement.
1977 - 1979: Cooperation for strength
On September 20, 1977, Vietnam officially became the 149th member of the United Nations. In 1978, the country joined the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (SEV/CMEA), marking a decisive step toward deeper cooperation with socialist nations. Despite facing countless difficulties, Vietnam’s decision to expand diplomatic ties and strengthen partnerships helped secure much-needed resources and support for gradual stabilization and development. In the most challenging moments, finding a reliable partner can create transformative strength.
At the same time, Vietnam had to defend its sovereignty against repeated incursions along the Southwestern border, underscoring the importance of diplomacy: a nation must safeguard itself while establishing its position. International cooperation thus became essential for consolidating national resilience.
The period reveals a key lesson: cooperation does not diminish a nation’s independence - it reinforces it, enabling growth even from limited beginnings. This reflects the spirit of Innovation from Zero: knowing when to connect while remaining grounded in one’s own identity and internal strength.
1980: The Constitution - Reinforcing national independence
The 1980 Constitution was not merely a legal milestone - it was a declaration of Vietnam’s political determination amid an intense foreign policy crisis. Independence remained the nation’s core value, yet steadfastness risked turning into isolation if not balanced with flexibility. The combination of firm sovereignty and selective openness created an important turning point.
This period teaches that wisdom lies not in closing doors, but in recognizing when to stand firm and when to adapt in service of the nation’s long-term interests. In the spirit of Innovation from Zero, meaningful progress requires a balance between principles and adaptability, ensuring every transformation is grounded and well-directed.
1979 - 1985: Contract 100 - Seeds of innovation from the grassroots
Between 1979 and 1985, Vietnam saw a remarkable shift: transformation did not originate from top-level directives but from the realities of everyday life. Under tight state control, farmers still found ways to make the land productive. Contract 100—an experimental decentralization model pioneered at the grassroots—demonstrated the power of bold, unconventional thinking.
Images of golden rice fields, tractors at work, and pioneers like Kim Ngọc embody a powerful truth: creativity does not wait for perfect conditions; it grows from real-life necessity. This period reflects the essence of bottom-up innovation, where those closest to challenges are often the first to find solutions. It teaches that major reforms begin with small changes in daily work. From that spirit, the journey forward from Zero becomes clearer: observe reality, find a new path, and bravely plant the first seeds for the future to validate.
1985: Finance - Reform for transformation
In 1985, Vietnam embarked on an ambitious financial reform, hoping to stabilize the troubled economy by restructuring its currency. The nationwide currency exchange, however, caused significant upheaval and exposed the inability of the old system to continue. This painful failure forced society to confront an essential truth: real progress requires fundamental change.
Images of long queues of citizens waiting to exchange money capture a challenging yet pivotal moment - one that demanded honesty, courage, and a willingness to face inefficiencies head-on. Every path toward innovation requires confronting reality. Sometimes, only through failure can new doors open, allowing the nation to rebuild from Zero upon a more solid foundation.
1986: Comprehensive innovation - Determination to begin a new era
By 1986, Vietnam was mired in prolonged crisis. The existing model no longer worked, and a historic choice had to be made: to reassess, to change, and to chart a new path. In this decisive moment, Nguyễn Văn Linh emerged as a transformative leader - close to the people, direct, and unwavering in his determination to “remove the shackles” from production and awaken creativity across society. With his principle of “speaking and doing,” he championed new thinking, cleared the way for a socialist-oriented market economy, and became a symbol of a nation on the brink of profound renewal.
The Renovation of 1986 was more than a policy shift; it embodied a collective courage to learn, to accept mistakes, and to rise after failure. Nguyễn Văn Linh’s leadership ignited a belief that from Zero, a nation can rebuild - stronger, more confident, and more open to the world.
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