"Our country has never had the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as it does today."

Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is an exceptionally outstanding leader, a shining example of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style, fully embodying the qualities, talents, mettle and intelligence of the generation of Vietnamese leaders in the renovation period, wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the People, having great prestige and influence both at home and abroad, making great contributions and dedication to the revolutionary cause of our Party, State and People as well as peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In our infinite sorrow at the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, we recall and cherish even more the shining moral example, a man of great character and sharp theoretical thinking, who left behind great legacies and made enormous contributions and dedication to the cause of building, developing and defending the Vietnamese Fatherland in the period of renovation. Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong was the first to make the following statement, which was approved by the 13th Party Congress and included in the Congress Resolution:“With all modesty, we can still say that: Our country has never had the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as it does today.”

Those achievements are the crystallization of creativity, the result of the persistent and continuous efforts through many revolutionary stages and many terms of the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army on the basis of constantly developing and perfecting the theory and organization of implementation of socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam - That is to firmly adhere to, apply and creatively develop Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in conjunction with promoting the fine cultural traditions of the nation and inheriting the intellectual quintessence of humanity; firmly adhere to the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly adhere to the path of innovation; firmly adhere to the principles of organization and operation of the Party, clearly demonstrated through the Party's Resolutions through the Congresses, the Resolutions of the Central Committee and generalized and systematized in the works and major theoretical works of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, especially the article“Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam”on the occasion of the 131st anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday.

Over the past time, along with the steadfast goal of national independence and socialism, we have focused on building and consolidating three fundamental elements: socialist democracy, a socialist rule-of-law state and a socialist-oriented market economy; with the consistent viewpoint of taking people as the center, the subject, the goal, the driving force and the most important resource of development, without sacrificing progress, social justice and the environment to pursue mere economic growth. Through nearly 40 years of innovation under the leadership of the Party, thanks to the drastic participation and efforts of the entire political system, the entire people and the entire army in synchronously, drastically and effectively implementing the guidelines, policies and strategies of the Party and the State, we have overcome many difficulties and challenges and achieved great and historic achievements, confirmed by specific results in various fields and are also vivid and convincing evidence for the summary and general assessment of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

1.Economic development is the central task; focusing on implementing three strategic breakthroughs in institutions, human resources and infrastructure; promoting industrialization, modernization, restructuring the economy associated with innovation of the growth model, improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness; focusing on maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, promoting growth, and ensuring major balances of the economy. This is also an important direction emphasized by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong when attending Government conferences with localities to deploy annual socio-economic development tasks from 2017 to 2023 and is clearly shown in the Central Committee's Conclusions on annual socio-economic development. We have basically achieved Comrade's wish that the results of the following year must be higher than the previous year in all areas; In which the economy has had clear changes with very proud achievements, highly appreciated by the international community, especially in recent years when we have faced more difficulties and challenges than opportunities and advantages.

After nearly 40 years of Renovation, from a country devastated by many wars, poor, backward, hungry, besieged and embargoed for 30 years; Vietnam has risen to become a middle-income country with an average income per capita of about 4,300 USD in 2023, an increase of nearly 60 times compared to 1986. The average economic growth is over 6.5%/year, belonging to the group of countries with high growth rates in the region and in the world. The size of the economy has increased more than 95 times, from 4.5 billion USD in 1986 to 430 billion USD in 2023, ranking 35th in the world. The basic macroeconomic foundation is stable; major balances of the economy are guaranteed. Inflation is controlled to only about 4%/year from the "galloping" 3-digit rate of the early stages of Renovation. Import-export turnover in 2023 reached 681 billion USD; trade surplus for 8 consecutive years; among the top 20 countries with the largest trade scale in the world (1). From a country with severe food shortages, Vietnam has become the world's leading rice exporter; in 2023, it exported over 8.1 million tons of rice, contributing to ensuring global food security; Vietnamese agricultural products are present in more than 160 countries (2). Energy security, employment, and balance of labor supply and demand are ensured. State budget deficit, public debt, government debt, and foreign debt of the country are well controlled; public debt in 2023 is at about 37%. GDP, well below the regulatory limit.

The economic structure is shifting positively towards industrialization and modernization; in 2023, the proportion of the agricultural sector will be only about 12%. Growth quality is increasingly improved towards increasing the application of science and technology, improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy and promoting digital transformation, developing green economy, circular economy, sharing economy, and knowledge economy. The investment and business environment is increasingly improved; Vietnam continues to be a bright spot in attracting foreign investment; in 2023, it attracted over 39.4 billion USD, with realized capital reaching 23.2 billion USD, entering the group of 20 leading countries in the world in attracting FDI; to date, there are 40.8 thousand projects in operation with a total registered capital of about 487 billion USD. Vietnam has become a manufacturing center, part of the regional and global supply chains of many of the world's leading technology corporations such as Samsung, LG, Intel, Apple, GE, Foxconn... The private sector is encouraged to develop and plays an increasingly important role in the economy with about 900,000 businesses operating.

The socio-economic infrastructure system is prioritized for resources and focused on investment, creating breakthroughs for development, especially strategic transport infrastructure, urban infrastructure, energy infrastructure, telecommunications infrastructure, education infrastructure, healthcare, and climate change response; to date, it has been completed and put into use on the whole country. 2,000 km of highway, striving to reach over 3,000 km by 2025; expanding Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airports, building Long Thanh International Airport with a total capacity of up to 100 million passengers/year when fully completed, total investment capital of hundreds of thousands of billions of VND and building regional and international seaports along with inland waterway transport systems; at the same time, actively preparing to build and approve the policy to develop a high-speed railway system for the period 2025 - 2030.

2.Paying special attention to and always closely directing foreign affairs and diplomacy, at the 2021 National Foreign Affairs Conference, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed:“Foreign affairs and diplomacy have brought into play new positions and new strengths, the combined strength of the entire nation, more firmly consolidating the open foreign affairs situation, favorable for national development and protection of the Fatherland in the new period.”Over the past years, in the context of a very complicated world situation, we have always persistently implemented a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; diversified and multilateralized foreign relations; been a good friend, a reliable partner, an active and responsible member of the international community for the goal of peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world; focused on building an independent, self-reliant and self-reliant economy associated with proactive and active international integration, comprehensively, practically and effectively, and achieved many very important achievements; the country's prestige and position in the international arena have been increasingly consolidated and enhanced.

From a country under siege and embargo for 30 years, Vietnam has now established diplomatic relations with 193 countries, strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries, especially comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with all 05 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and many G20 countries. Our Party has relations with 253 parties in 115 countries around the world, including 92 Communist parties, 63 ruling parties, 38 parties participating in the ruling coalition, and participating in politics. In recent years, most heads of state, leaders of major countries and important international organizations, including the United Nations, have visited, worked and had good impressions of the country and people of Vietnam; at the same time, the leaders of our Party and State have had many successful visits to countries and partners across all continents. Recently, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has hosted the reception of the General Secretary, President, and President of three major powers: China, the United States, and Russia. These efforts have strongly promoted the deepening, stability, and sustainability of foreign relations, contributing to strengthening political trust, promoting close and effective cooperation in all fields, especially in education and training, science and technology, labor, culture, people-to-people exchange, local exchange, etc. Vietnam is known to the world as a reliable partner, a safe destination for international investment and tourism, and a responsible member in contributing to solving major regional and world issues.

Vietnam has proactively and actively participated in and successfully undertaken many important international responsibilities; many proposals and initiatives have been recognized at multilateral mechanisms, frameworks and forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and partners; and actively contributed to resolving regional and global issues. Strongly shifting from“active participation”arrive"contribute to building and shaping the rules of the game", Vietnam has gradually raised its participation in promoting multilateral processes and institutions based on the common goal of peace, stability, security and development cooperation, on the basis of international law and the principles of equality and mutual benefit among relevant parties. Economic diplomacy has been promoted, Vietnam has expanded economic and trade relations with more than 230 countries and territories around the world; signed 16 free trade agreements with more than 60 countries, including many large economies. The work of protecting citizens and Vietnamese people abroad (3), foreign information has been implemented methodically, promptly and effectively, contributing to strengthening the great national unity bloc, preserving and promoting national cultural identity, promoting the image of the country and Vietnamese people to international friends. The above achievements have demonstrated the pioneering role of foreign affairs in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources to develop the country, and enhancing the country's position and prestige. These achievements have affirmed the correctness of the foreign affairs and diplomacy school.“Vietnamese bamboo: Firm roots, sturdy trunk, graceful branches, imbued with the soul, character and spirit of the Vietnamese people”initiated, directed and cultivated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

3.Thoroughly grasp and seriously implement the viewpoint that ensuring national defense and security is an important and regular task; firmly protect national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, protect the Party, State, People, socialist regime, culture and national and ethnic interests; maintain political stability and a peaceful environment; implement the "four no's" defense policy (4); we have closely combined national defense, security and foreign affairs in protecting the Fatherland; prioritize resources to consolidate and enhance national defense and security potential; build a solid all-people national defense posture, people's security posture and people's hearts posture; focus on building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite and modern People's Army and People's Police force with new content and thinking, strong in politics, ideology and organization, absolutely loyal to the Party, Fatherland and People; organize in the direction of being lean, compact and strong. The quality of analysis, assessment, forecasting and strategic advice has been increasingly improved; policies and strategies on military, national defense, national security protection and national security protection continue to be supplemented and improved in the new situation. Be proactive and ready with plans and solutions to respond to developments, and avoid being passive or surprised in any situation. At the 8th Conference of the 13th Party Central Committee, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized:“In all situations, firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protect the Party, State, People and Socialist Regime; protect national and ethnic interests".

In recent times, the defense industry and security industry have been focused on and increasingly developed in a modern, dual-use direction, mastering the technology to manufacture and produce many types of weapons and equipment, actively contributing to the cause of promoting industrialization and modernization of the country. Military, defense and security cooperation has been promoted, becoming increasingly practical and effective. Vietnam has actively and proactively participated in United Nations peacekeeping activities, rescue and relief operations in many countries and regions, which has been highly appreciated by the international community. Defense foreign policy according to diplomatic ideology“Vietnamese Bamboo”is an important strategy, contributing to protecting the Fatherland early, from afar, and preserving the country before it is in danger. At the same time, we have summarized practices and supplemented theories on“partner”, “object”, contributing to the harmonious and appropriate handling of related international issues.

At the same time, we pay special attention to building an orderly, disciplined, secure, safe and healthy society. This is an important task that the entire political system and the entire population pay special attention to, achieving many positive results; in which, many plans and solutions have been implemented to curb the increase and attack and resolutely suppress all types of crime, especially high-tech crime, cyber crime, and drug crime on key routes and areas. Strengthen research and application of advanced achievements in science and technology, digital transformation, and transformation of all aspects of crime prevention and control. Improve the effectiveness of state management, promote the combined strength of the entire political system and the masses to participate in the work of protecting security and order. A stable socio-political situation, ensuring security, social order and safety is one of the bright spots and strengths of Vietnam in today's volatile world. Vietnam's ranking increased by 4 places, to 41st out of 163 countries and territories in the 2023 Global Peace Index on assessing national peace levels announced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP, Australia).

4.The fields of culture, society and environment are focused on, ensuring harmony with economic development and achieving many important achievements. The role of culture as a spiritual foundation, an endogenous resource, a breakthrough driving force for national development has been strongly promoted, especially after the 2021 National Cultural Conference with an important speech of profound strategic orientation by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, in which he emphasized the teachings of beloved Uncle Ho."Culture lights the way for the nation", and at the same time clearly states "If culture exists, the nation exists", "Culture is the soul of the nation".Implementing the viewpoint of building an advanced culture, imbued with national identity, many traditional cultural values, cultural heritage of the nation are inherited, preserved, embellished, developed and recognized and highly appreciated internationally; up to now, Vietnam has 68 heritage, titles recognized by UNESCO. Cultural institutions are constantly innovated in content, improved in quality and efficiency of operations. Building a humane society, developing Vietnamese people comprehensively, with good personalities, beautiful lifestyles towards the values ​​of truth - goodness - beauty has received positive response from the whole society; the spirit of mutual love, solidarity, respect for affection, respect for justice and social ethics is increasingly promoted and spread positively.

The quality of medical examination, treatment and health care for the people has been increasingly improved; the network of medical facilities has developed widely; and many dangerous epidemics have been proactively and successfully responded. In particular, in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has"go back first"(5) with the efforts of the entire political system, the entire people and the effective support and assistance of international friends through“Vaccine Diplomacy Strategy”. The quality of human resources is increasingly improved; education and training continue to be comprehensively innovated; the national education system is increasingly perfected, approaching international standards; the vocational training quality index is among the leading countries in the ASEAN region; the rate of trained workers increased from 49.14% in 2014 to 68% in 2023. Many modern scientific and technological achievements are quickly and widely applied; the startup and innovation ecosystem is promoted and developed; Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) ranked 46/132 in 2023, up 13 places compared to 2016. Consistently implementing the policy of not sacrificing progress, social justice, and the environment in exchange for pure economic growth, Vietnam committed to zero net emissions by 2050 at COP26 and early joined the Political Declaration to establish the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which was highly appreciated by the international community.

Social security is guaranteed, the material and spiritual life of the people is constantly improved with the spirit of“Leaving no one behind”. Policies for people with revolutionary contributions, social protection, social security, and sustainable poverty reduction receive special attention; the poverty rate in 2023 will decrease to 2.93% compared to more than 58% in 1993. Vietnam has been recognized and highly appreciated by the world and considered a successful model of hunger eradication and poverty reduction in developing countries over the past 30 years. New rural construction has been promoted, contributing to promoting agricultural industrialization and improving the quality of life of people in rural areas; by the end of 2023, more than 78% of communes and 270 districts will meet new rural standards. The health insurance participation rate will reach over 93%, approaching the goal of universal health insurance. Vietnam has completed many targets in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of schedule and has been recognized by the United Nations as one of the leading countries in efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Child care, protection, youth education, promoting the role of the elderly, gender equality, and women's advancement have made important strides; Vietnam's average life expectancy has increased by 9 years over the past 30 years, from 65.5 years in 1993 to 74.5 years in 2023; Vietnam's human development index (HDI) has improved significantly, much higher than that of countries with the same income level; Vietnam's happiness index has increased by 11 places, from 65th to 54th out of 143 countries and territories.

5.Thoroughly grasping the viewpoint that Party building is the “key”, in which cadre work is the “key of keys”, Party building and rectification work in recent times has had many clear and effective changes under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He affirmed that“Party building and rectification is always a particularly important task, of vital significance to our Party and our regime.”. Focus on building a comprehensive Party in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organization and cadres with the spirit of“Honor is the most sacred and noble thing”, so that our Party can truly"is moral, is civilized"We have synchronously implemented many solutions to build a clean and strong political system; improve the leadership capacity and fighting strength of Party organizations and Party members; build and train a contingent of cadres with adequate qualities, abilities, prestige, and equal to the tasks, especially strategic-level cadres. The close relationship between the Party and the People has been consolidated and strengthened; the People's trust in the Party has been increasingly enhanced on the basis of synchronous and effective implementation of the mechanism.“The Party leads, the State manages, and the People are the masters”and motto“People know, people discuss, people do, people check, people supervise, people benefit”. The political system from the central to the grassroots level continues to be consolidated, developed, and its operational efficiency improved; the vanguard, exemplary, people-respecting, people-closeness, trust, understanding, and learning qualities of cadres and party members are constantly promoted; thereby contributing to consolidating and enhancing political and social stability, creating favorable conditions for rapid and sustainable development.

Under the direction of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and anti-negativity, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the work of anti-corruption and anti-negativity has been carried out strongly, resolutely, persistently, synchronously, with a focus, key points, without forbidden areas, without exceptions, achieving many important results, contributing to building a democratic, disciplined, and honest society, maintaining political stability, and socio-economic development. Many serious economic and corruption cases have been brought to trial, which have received the people's approval and support. At the same time, we continue to focus on building and perfecting policies, guidelines, institutions, and policies on anti-corruption associated with the mechanism of controlling power, preventing abuse of power, violations of discipline, order, and protecting cadres who dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the common good. Publicity, transparency, and accountability in state administrative agencies and the whole society have been promoted. Strengthening information on mechanisms, policies, management and operation activities on the electronic information portals of state agencies, creating favorable conditions for people, businesses, agencies and organizations to grasp and monitor. Practices in recent times have shown that the fight against corruption has been promoted, contributing to affirming the role and strengthening the prestige of the Party and State and maintaining the trust of the people, which is highly appreciated by the international community. Vietnam's Corruption Perception Index increased by 40 places, from 123rd in 2012 to 83rd out of 180 countries and territories in 2023.

6General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized:“In any circumstance, we must firmly maintain our ideological stance and always uphold the goals, viewpoints, and guidelines of our Party in building and perfecting the socialist rule-of-law state and our country's legal system.”In recent years, the construction of a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, for the people has achieved many important results and continues to be perfected in terms of theoretical foundations based on practical experience. Special attention has been paid to the strategic breakthrough in institutional improvement; the legal system has been regularly reviewed, amended, supplemented, and perfected, contributing to promoting economic and social development and international integration, including many fundamental laws such as the Constitution, the Penal Code, the Civil Code, the Land Law, the Investment Law, the Enterprise Law, etc. Focusing on building a clean, strong, streamlined, effective, efficient, and constructive state apparatus serving the people, in conjunction with restructuring and improving the quality of the contingent of cadres, civil servants, and public employees; the number of ministries and ministerial-level agencies has been reduced from 27 (1992-1997) to 22 ministries and ministerial-level agencies at present. Decentralization and delegation of power are promoted in conjunction with resource allocation, improving the implementation capacity of subordinates and strengthening inspection, supervision and control of power. Reform of the civil service and public finance has many positive changes; increasing publicity, transparency and accountability in conjunction with tightening discipline and order in the activities of the State and of cadres, civil servants and public employees. Administrative reform, especially simplification and reduction of administrative procedures, and improvement of the investment and business environment are promoted, contributing to removing difficulties for production and business, creating all favorable conditions for people and businesses.

Implementing the teachings of beloved President Ho Chi Minh“Unity, unity, great unity - Success, success, great success”, our entire Party, army and people always pay special attention to building and consolidating the great national unity bloc, closely linking domestic solidarity with international solidarity, combining national strength with the strength of the times - considering this a particularly important fundamental factor in the process of building, developing the country and defending the Fatherland. Under the leadership of the Party, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations and people's organizations regularly innovate the content and methods of operation, step up propaganda, mobilization, and rallying the masses, promoting the spirit of solidarity, unity, joint efforts and consensus, contributing to creating social consensus; promoting social supervision and criticism activities associated with increased publicity and transparency; focusing on participating in building a clean and strong Party, State and political system; playing a good role as a bridge between the Party, State and the People, contributing to consolidating the People's trust in the Party, State and socialist regime. The strength of great national unity is increasingly consolidated and enhanced; human rights, civil rights, and the people's right to mastery are increasingly promoted, put into practice and effectively, especially in participating in and deciding on major and important issues of the country and mechanisms and policies directly related to social life, demonstrating the good nature and superiority of our regime.

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The great and historic achievements of our country in the past nearly four decades have affirmed the correctness of the path of innovation, integration and development under the leadership of the Party, the leading factor deciding all victories of the Vietnamese revolution, associated with the great contributions of previous generations of leaders, including the important role and outstanding mark of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He left a shining example of revolutionary ethics, dedicating all his efforts to the revolutionary cause of the Party for today's and future generations. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people, hundreds of international delegations directly came to pay their respects and see him off; thousands of delegations from other countries, tens of thousands of foreigners came to pay their respects at Vietnamese representative agencies abroad; hundreds of countries and international organizations sent their condolences; Millions and millions of Vietnamese people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, religions, beliefs, especially the young generation expressed their infinite sorrow at the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Those images demonstrated the respect and deep attachment of compatriots, soldiers nationwide, overseas Vietnamese as well as international friends to the stature of an exceptionally outstanding leader of our Party, State and People (6); at the same time, they also demonstrated the people's steadfast belief in the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam, the cultured, civilized and heroic country of Vietnam.

Firmly apply and creatively develop Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought and continue to consistently implement the policy of innovation, integration and development; firmly adhere to the goal of national independence and socialism; focus on building and rectifying the Party and the political system to be clean and strong in all aspects; build a streamlined State that operates effectively and efficiently; widely practice and promote socialist democracy; highly promote the combined strength, creativity, will and aspirations of the entire nation and the entire political system combined with the strength of the times; we firmly believe that our country will certainly develop more and more properly and beautifully, our people will certainly have a more prosperous and happier life, as beloved President Ho Chi Minh always expected and previous generations, including General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, have wholeheartedly strived and devoted their whole lives.

Comrade General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will forever belong to our Fatherland, our People and the cause of our country's renewal. Continuing his efforts, contributions, dedication and following his shining example, today's and future generations should further promote the spirit of solidarity."Front and rear support","One call, hundreds respond", "Unanimously united", "Constantly open"and the achievements that have been made, striving to overcome all difficulties and challenges, maintaining and further promoting the country's foundation, potential, position and prestige, successfully carrying out the cause of industrialization and modernization, bringing our country firmly on the path of rapid and sustainable development.

PHAM MINH CHINH, Politburo member, Prime Minister

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1. Total import-export turnover in 2022 reached 732 billion USD; entering 2024, import-export recovered strongly despite many difficulties, in the first 6 months of the year reaching a record 368.5 billion USD, up 17.5% over the same period in 2023.

2. In 2023, agricultural export turnover will reach more than 53 billion USD; in the first 7 months of 2024, it will reach over 34 billion USD, an increase of 18.8% over the same period.

3. The Vietnamese community abroad currently has about 6 million people.

4. The “Four Nos” defense policy includes: not participating in military alliances; not aligning with one country to fight another; not allowing foreign countries to set up military bases or use territory to fight against other countries; not using force or threatening to use force in international relations.

5. According to the assessment of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Conference summarizing the work in 2022 and deploying the tasks in 2023 of the Government with localities.

6. This once again proves the assertion of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: "With all modesty, we can still say that: Our country has never had the foundation, potential, position and international prestige as it does today."