Under the leadership of the Party, our country has overcome difficulties and challenges and achieved great, comprehensive and very commendable results.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Our country has steadfastly overcome many difficulties and challenges, continuing to achieve great, quite comprehensive and very commendable results.

Dear General Secretary, could you please tell us some of the important and outstanding achievements of our country in the first half of the 13th term?

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: We all know that since the 13th National Party Congress, the world and regional situation has undergone many rapid, complex, and unpredictable developments; new challenges have emerged more than expected.

With high will, determination and the spirit of "First support, then support", "One call, all respond", "Unanimity from top to bottom", "Consistency across the board", the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat have led, directed and organized the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress in a drastic, synchronous and effective manner.

Our country has steadfastly overcome many difficulties and challenges, continuing to achieve great, quite comprehensive and very commendable results in many fields.

Over the past 3 years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, we have focused on both preventing and controlling the epidemic and promoting socio-economic recovery and development; building an independent and self-reliant economy associated with proactive and active international integration, comprehensively, deeply and effectively.

Our country's economy continues to be a bright spot, the macro economy is basically stable, inflation, public debt, and state budget deficit are under control, and major economic balances are ensured.
Economic growth in 2021 reached 2.56%, while many economies in the world experienced negative growth; economic growth in 2022 reached 8.02%, much higher than the plan of 6-6.5%.

In 2023, it will reach more than 5%, a high level compared to other countries in the region and the world; for the first time, our country's GDP will reach 430 billion USD, ranking 3rd in ASEAN and among the 40 largest economies in the world, the top 20 economies in terms of trade and attracting foreign investment.

Despite many difficulties, the cultural and social fields continue to receive attention, care, investment and development, achieving many important and clear results. In particular, in the work of preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, with the heroic, patriotic tradition, "loving others as you love yourself" of our nation and the superiority of our regime, it has been promoted to a new height.

The new point is that the Politburo and the Secretariat have been very active in preparing and promptly organizing national cadre conferences to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress in the agencies of the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the following sectors: Internal Affairs, National Defense, Security, Culture, and Foreign Affairs.

The Politburo also issued and thoroughly implemented six new resolutions on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in all six socio-economic regions of the country.

The organization was very synchronous and methodical right from the beginning of the term, providing clear and correct orientation for continuing to innovate, build and perfect the Vietnamese socialist rule-of-law state and consolidating and strengthening the great national unity bloc.

This can be affirmed as an outstanding result, contributing to the achievements gained since the beginning of the 13th Party Congress term up to now.

The fight against corruption and negativity continues to be carried out vigorously, with many new, in-depth, synchronous and effective approaches.

The fight against corruption and negativity continues to be directed in a systematic, synchronous, drastic and effective manner. Could you please tell us about the new points and outstanding results in the fight against corruption and negativity in recent times?

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:The fight against corruption and negativity continues to be carried out vigorously, with many new, in-depth, synchronous and effective approaches.

The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption has previously had its functions and tasks supplemented and expanded, including directing the prevention of corruption and the prevention of "negativity"; the focus is on preventing and combating the degradation of political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle among cadres and party members, considering this the root of all problems.

At the same time, the Provincial Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity has been established in all 63 provinces and cities across the country and put into operation, with initial good results, gradually overcoming the situation of "hot above, cold below" as we have long said.

The Politburo has issued regulations: 114-QD/TW, 131-QD/TW, 132-QD/TW on controlling power, preventing and combating corruption and negativity in personnel work, inspection, auditing; investigation, prosecution, trial, execution of judgments,... to ensure implementation in a synchronous, methodical and strict manner.

The work of building and perfecting institutions and policies on socio-economic management and preventing and combating corruption and negativity has also been promoted to gradually move towards: "not daring", "not being able", "not wanting", "not needing" corruption.

The improvement of the organizational structure and administrative reform ensures publicity and transparency. The quality, efficiency of operations and coordination between agencies and functional units in preventing and combating corruption and negativity have been improved. Information, propaganda and education on preventing and combating corruption and negativity have made much progress.

The Party's inspection, supervision and discipline work continues to be innovated and strengthened on the basis of issuing quality regulations and seriously and synchronously implementing many new regulations, contributing to restraining, preventing and repelling the degradation of political ideology, ethics, lifestyle, manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party; corruption, "group interests", "term thinking", "individualism", "power degeneration" among a significant number of cadres and Party members.

At the same time, it is necessary to improve the leadership capacity and fighting strength of the Party, strengthen solidarity and unity within the Party, consolidate people's trust, maintain political stability, discipline, order and social security, and promote socio-economic development.

Foreign affairs activities took place very vibrantly, continuously and were impressive and outstanding highlights.

The 13th National Party Congress continues to define a comprehensive, modern diplomacy consisting of three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to enhancing the country's position and prestige. Could you please comment on the foreign affairs work of our Party and State in recent times?

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:Over the past three years, the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress has been seriously grasped and implemented synchronously, achieving many important and historic results, becoming an impressive highlight in the overall achievements of the country, contributing significantly to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, creating favorable conditions for socio-economic development, and enhancing the country's position and prestige in the international arena.

We have inherited and promoted the strength of the Ho Chi Minh era's foreign affairs and diplomacy school, imbued with the identity of the "Vietnamese bamboo tree", "firm roots, sturdy trunk, flexible branches", imbued with the soul, character and spirit of the Vietnamese people: Soft, clever, but very resilient.

I would like to review some specific results to prove that: Since the 13th National Party Congress, our country's foreign affairs activities have been very vibrant, continuous and are impressive and outstanding highlights. The success of state visits, official visits, phone calls and online talks by our Party and State leaders, especially more than 40 visits by key leaders to neighboring countries, major countries, ASEAN countries, many important strategic partners and traditional friends.

Notably, in 2023, General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and his wife will pay a State visit to Vietnam. For the first time in history, US President Joe Biden accepted the invitation of the General Secretary of our Party to pay a State visit to Vietnam.

The summit meeting of the three parties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Thongloun Sisoulith and President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen in Hanoi was a great success;... and many other important heads of state visited Vietnam.

These are particularly important foreign political and diplomatic events, not only in bilateral cooperation but also in regional and international issues, of historical significance, highly welcomed and appreciated by public opinion at home and abroad, as I often say: "Our country has never had such a foundation, potential, prestige and international position as it does today."

Up to now, our Party has had relations with 253 parties in 115 countries around the world, including 92 communist parties, 63 ruling parties, 38 parties participating in the ruling coalition, participating in politics...

Regarding state diplomatic relations, Vietnam has expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries, including 3 special relations, 6 comprehensive strategic partners, 12 strategic partners and 12 comprehensive partners; becoming an active and responsible member of most regional and international organizations and forums.

Besides, Vietnamese unions and people's organizations have had cooperative and friendly relations with more than 1,200 foreign organizations and partners.

Forecasting the new situation with intertwined opportunities and challenges; could the General Secretary please tell us about the major policies and decisions that need to be focused on leading and directing implementation in the second half of the 13th tenure?

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: Forecasting the situation from now until the end of the 13th term, besides advantages, there will also be many difficulties.

We need to continue to thoroughly grasp and strictly and well implement the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws on rapid and sustainable development.

Focus on consolidating and strengthening the macroeconomic foundation, controlling inflation, improving the internal capacity and autonomy of the economy. Prioritize improving the investment and business environment; improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.

Promote national digital transformation, develop digital economy, digital society, green economy, circular economy,... associated with strengthening resource management and environmental protection.

In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the task of developing culture and society in harmony and on par with economic development; ensuring social security and welfare; and constantly improving the material and spiritual life of the people.

We need to continue to consolidate and enhance national defense and security potential; maintain political stability, social order and safety; improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration.

Continue to promote the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system to be truly clean and strong, especially the system of legislative, executive and judicial agencies from the central to local levels. Build a clean, honest and strong Government and local authorities.

Do better in personnel work to select and arrange the right people who are truly virtuous, talented, honest, dedicated, and dedicated to the country and the people into leadership positions in the state apparatus.

Fight to eliminate the idea of ​​retreat, fear that if the fight against corruption and negativity is too strong, it will hinder development, discourage, "hold back", "defend", "cover up", keep "safe", avoid, and shirk responsibility in a certain group of cadres and civil servants, especially leaders and managers at all levels.

It is necessary to focus on implementing well the planning of leaders at all levels, preparing for Party Congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term and especially the planning of the 14th Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat for the 2026-2031 term.

At the same time, urgently and seriously conduct a summary of theoretical and practical issues over 40 years of renovation.

From the results achieved and the experience gained, I believe that with new spirit and new motivation, our entire Party, people and army will continue to unite, join hands, be unanimous, strive, be determined and make greater efforts; be more proactive and creative, wisely seize opportunities and advantages, firmly overcome difficulties and challenges, successfully complete the goals and tasks set for the entire 13th term, and build our country to become increasingly developed, strong, prosperous, civilized and happy, as Uncle Ho and our entire Party, people and army always expect.

On the occasion of welcoming the New Year of the Dragon - 2024, which is also the 94th anniversary of the founding of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2024), on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to send to all compatriots and soldiers nationwide, overseas Vietnamese and international friends the best wishes for a happy new year, with lots of joy, happiness and success!

New Year New Victory!