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

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Our country has steadfastly overcome many difficulties and challenges, and continues to achieve great, fairly comprehensive, and very encouraging results.

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

General Secretary Nguyen Phu TrongAs we all know, since the 13th National Congress of the Party, the global and regional situation has undergone rapid, complex, and unpredictable changes; new challenges have emerged more frequently than anticipated.

With strong will, high determination, and the spirit of "leading the way," "one call, all respond," "unity from top to bottom," and "smooth communication," the Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat of the Party have led, directed, and organized the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress in a decisive, coordinated, and effective manner.

Our country has steadfastly overcome many difficulties and challenges, and continues to achieve great, fairly comprehensive, and very encouraging results in many fields.

Over the past three years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party, we have focused on both preventing, controlling, and managing the epidemic, while simultaneously promoting socio-economic recovery and development; building an independent and self-reliant economy coupled with proactive, comprehensive, deep, and effective international integration.

Our country's economy continues to be a bright spot, with basic macroeconomic stability, inflation, public debt, and budget deficit under control, and major economic balances ensured.
Economic growth in 2021 reached 2.56%, while many economies around the world experienced negative growth; economic growth in 2022 reached 8.02%, much higher than the planned 6-6.5%.

In 2023, growth exceeded 5%, a high rate compared to other countries in the region and the world; for the first time, our country's GDP reached US$430 billion, ranking 3rd in ASEAN and among the top 40 largest economies in the world, and among the top 20 economies in terms of trade and attracting foreign investment.

Despite facing many difficulties, the socio-cultural sectors continue to receive attention, care, and investment for development, achieving many important and tangible results. In particular, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the heroic and patriotic traditions of our nation, the principle of "loving others as oneself," and the superiority of our system have been further enhanced to a new level.

A new development is that the Politburo and the Secretariat have been very active in preparing and promptly organizing national conferences for cadres to implement the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress at the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the following sectors: internal affairs, defense, security, culture, and foreign affairs.

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

The organization was very synchronized and systematic right from the beginning of the term, providing clear and correct direction for continuing to innovate, build, and perfect the socialist rule of law state of Vietnam and consolidate and strengthen the great national unity.

This can be considered a remarkable achievement, contributing to the accomplishments made since the beginning of the 13th Party Congress term.

The fight against corruption and negative practices continues to be carried out resolutely, with many new, in-depth, synchronized, and effective approaches.

The fight against corruption and negative practices continues to be directed in a systematic, coordinated, decisive, and clearly effective manner. Could the General Secretary please elaborate on the new developments and outstanding results in the fight against corruption and negative practices in the recent past?

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

The former Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption has had its functions and tasks expanded to include directing the fight against corruption and "negative phenomena"; the focus being on preventing the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle among cadres and Party members, considering this to be the root of all problems.

At the same time, provincial-level steering committees on preventing and combating corruption and negative practices have been established in all 63 provinces and cities nationwide and have begun operating, initially yielding good results and gradually overcoming the long-standing problem of "hot at the top, cold at the bottom."

The Politburo has issued regulations 114-QĐ/TW, 131-QĐ/TW, and 132-QĐ/TW on controlling power, preventing and combating corruption and negative practices in personnel work, inspection, auditing, investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of judgments, etc., to ensure synchronized, systematic, and rigorous implementation.

Efforts to build and improve institutions and policies on socio-economic management and the prevention and fight against corruption and negative practices have also been intensified, gradually moving towards a situation where people "don't dare," "cannot," "don't want," and "don't need" to engage in corruption.

The streamlining of the organizational structure and administrative reforms ensures transparency and openness. The quality, effectiveness, and coordination among functional agencies and units in preventing and combating corruption and negative practices have been enhanced. Information dissemination and education on preventing and combating corruption and negative practices have made significant progress.

The Party's inspection, supervision, and disciplinary work continues to be reformed and strengthened based on the issuance of high-quality regulations and their serious and synchronized implementation. This contributes to curbing, preventing, and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, as well as manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party; and the situation of corruption, "group interests," "term-based thinking," "individualism," and "power abuse" among a significant number of cadres and Party members.

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

External relations activities were very vibrant, continuous, and were an impressive and outstanding highlight.

The 13th National Congress of the Party continued to define a comprehensive and modern foreign policy comprising three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to enhancing the country's position and prestige. Could the General Secretary please comment on the foreign policy work of our Party and State in the recent past?

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:Over the past three years, the Party's 13th National Congress's foreign policy guidelines have been seriously and comprehensively implemented, achieving many important and historically significant results. These have become impressive highlights in the overall achievements of the country, making a significant contribution to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, facilitating socio-economic development, and enhancing the country's position and prestige in the international arena.

We have continued and developed the strength of the Ho Chi Minh era's school of foreign policy and diplomacy, deeply imbued with the "Vietnamese bamboo" spirit, "firm roots, sturdy trunk, flexible branches," and infused with the soul, character, and fortitude of the Vietnamese people: gentle, skillful, yet very resilient.

I would like to highlight some specific results to demonstrate this: Since the 13th National Congress of the Party, our country's foreign relations activities have been very vibrant, continuous, and an impressive and outstanding highlight. The success of state visits, official visits, telephone calls, and online talks by our Party and State leaders, especially the more than 40 visits by key leaders to neighboring countries, major powers, ASEAN countries, many important strategic partners, and traditional friends, is a testament to this.

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

The high-level meeting of the heads 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 Chairman 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 policy and diplomatic events, not only in bilateral cooperation but also in regional and international issues, with historical significance, and have been highly welcomed and appreciated by public opinion both domestically and internationally, just as I have always said: "Our country has never had such a foundation, potential, prestige, and international standing as it does today."

To date, our Party has established relations with 253 parties in 115 countries worldwide, including 92 communist parties, 63 ruling parties, and 38 parties participating in ruling coalitions and government...

Regarding state-level diplomatic relations, Vietnam has expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries, including 3 countries with 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.

In addition, Vietnamese people's organizations and associations have established cooperative and friendly relations with more than 1,200 foreign organizations and partners.

Given the new context with its intertwined opportunities and challenges, could the General Secretary please outline the major policies and decisions that need to be focused on and implemented in the second half of the 13th Party Congress term?

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

We need to continue to thoroughly understand and strictly and effectively implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations on rapid and sustainable development.

Focus on consolidating and strengthening the macroeconomic foundation, controlling inflation, and enhancing the internal capacity and self-reliance of the economy. Prioritize improving the investment and business environment; and increasing the productivity, quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of the economy.

Promoting national digital transformation, developing the digital economy, digital society, green economy, circular economy, etc., while strengthening resource management and environmental protection.

Furthermore, greater attention should be paid to the task of developing culture and society in a way that is harmonious and on par with economic development; ensuring social security and welfare; and continuously improving the material and spiritual lives of the people.

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

Continue to strengthen the building and rectification of the Party and the political system to ensure they are truly clean and strong, especially the legislative, executive, and judicial branches from the central to local levels. Build a clean, honest, and strong government and local administrations.

We need to further improve personnel management to select and appoint truly virtuous, talented, honest, and dedicated individuals who are committed to serving the country and its people to leadership positions within the state apparatus.

We must combat the mindset of retreat and the fear that, if the fight against corruption and negative practices is too strong, it will hinder development, discourage progress, lead to a "hesitant," "defensive," "cover-up," "safety-seeking," avoidance, and shirking of responsibility among some officials and civil servants, especially leaders and managers at all levels.

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

At the same time, it is urgent and serious to conduct a comprehensive review of the theoretical and practical issues over the past 40 years of reform.

Based on the achievements and experiences gained, I am confident that with renewed vigor and motivation, the entire Party, people, and army will continue to unite, work together, strive with even greater determination and effort; be more dynamic and creative, wisely seize opportunities and advantages, steadfastly overcome difficulties and challenges, and successfully fulfill the goals and tasks set for the entire 13th term, building our country to be increasingly developed, prosperous, civilized, and happy, as President Ho Chi Minh and the entire Party, people, and army have always hoped.

On the occasion of welcoming the New Year of the Dragon - 2024, and also the 94th anniversary of the glorious founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2024), on behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to extend my warmest New Year wishes to all compatriots, soldiers throughout the country, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends, wishing you all the best, much joy, happiness, and success!

New Year, New Victories!