Vietnam has made diverse achievements after nearly 35 years of renewal. (Photo: baophapluat.vn)
Comprehensive achievements
Since 1986, Vietnam's export turnover has continuously increased. From a country of trade deficit, Vietnam has turned to balance of import and export, and then trade surplus. In 2019, the total import-export turnover of Vietnam reached over USD517 billion, reporting a trade surplus of over USD11 billion, the highest ever. Vietnam's exported goods have been present in more than 200 countries and territories in almost all continents.
In its the Vietnam economic review report published on July 30, the World Bank (WB) confirmed that Vietnam's economy, despite being seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, would recover.
This organization believes that Vietnam will continue to be one of the most vibrant economies in the world and forecasts that our country will be the country with the 5th largest growth in the world in 2020.
Along with economic development, our Party and State have also invested all resources for socio-cultural development; leading to many changes in improving the spiritual life of the people.
Vietnam has become a country with a population of nearly 100 million people with an average income of USD2,800 per person, from USD86 in 1998. From the group of low-income countries, Vietnam has risen and is now ranked in the group of middle-income developing countries. Impressive results have been reported in poverty reduction.
Vietnam's education has also made great progress while healthcare, welfare and social security have been gradually expanded. Notably, in early 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government put forth about VND62 trillion to support the lives of people; reduce electricity, water, and telecommunications service prices for people and businesses; increase by nearly VND20 trillion as preferential loans for people to borrow from the Bank for Social Policies; and provide rice aid to people in disadvantaged areas.
In terms of foreign affairs, Vietnam has broken the embargo, expanded foreign relations towards multilateralism and diversification; proactively integrated into the world, being a friend, a reliable partner, a responsible member of the international community, for peace, cooperation and development.
Vietnam has become an important link in many economic chains through the signing of many free trade agreements, thereby creating great incentives for development. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) rated Vietnam among the 20 economies with the largest contribution to global growth in 2019.
Meanwhile, international integration in politics - security - defense, society - literature and other fields have been deepened.
New position and power
With a new position and power, Vietnam has actively participated in and contributed to most important international organizations and forums, successfully taking on many important responsibilities. In 2019, Vietnam was elected for the second time to be a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021 with an almost absolute number of votes in favour.
In the first months of 2020, COVID-19 broke out in almost every country in the world. Vietnam, with its extremely effective response, achieved positive results in the pandemic prevention, drawing admiration from the world.
Vietnam has also had many activities to support and cooperate with other countries and international organizations, affirming its role as an active and responsible member of international community and strengthening relations with other countries and partners.
Its presenting of good quality masks, medical supplies and equipment made in Vietnam to many countries has been appreciated and respected by international friends; thereby contributing to boosting the commercial flow of medical supplies export worth hundreds of millions of USD.
During phone talks with Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong on the occasion of Russia's National Day in early June, Russian President Vladimir Putin appreciated Vietnam's successful control of COVID-19, expressing thanks to Vietnam for sharing with and supporting Russia’s fight against COVID-19.
Talking on phone with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, US President Donald Trump also highly appreciated Vietnam's ability to respond to the pandemic and thanked Vietnam for facilitating the provision and transportation of medical equipment, as well as giving masks to the US side.
The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte also highly appreciated Vietnam's leading role as the Chair of ASEAN 2020 in the spirit of the theme "Cohesive and responsive", welcoming Vietnam's efforts and initiatives to promote cooperation between ASEAN countries and between ASEAN and partners in pandemic prevention, including its initiative in establishing a COVID-19 response fund and a regional reserve of medical materials.
At the Government's meeting to review work in 2019 and carry out the tasks in 2020, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong confirmed that our country has never had such potential and position like today. Meanwhile, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, this is the result of the process of over 30 years of renewal, integration and development under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam./.