New era of peace and development

Peace, unification, independence, and prosperity are goals that all nations embrace. Throughout their history the people of Vietnam have always aspired to achieve unification and this aspiration was finally realized on April 30, 1975.

Tanks of the 203 Tank and Armor Brigade, 304th Division, 2nd Army Corps entered the Independence Palace, on April 30, 1975.

The Vietnamese people have overcome numerous challenges and difficulties to gain remarkable achievements in national development, particularly since national renewal which began in 1986. For several consecutive years, Vietnam’s economy grew more than 7%, one of the fastest growth rates in the world.

Doctor Irina Korgun, Director of the Center of Russian Strategies in Asia (photo: VOV)

Shifting its growth model, restructuring its economy, and implementing strategic breakthroughs have helped Vietnam realize its goals. Doctor Irina Korgun, Director of the Center of Russian Strategies in Asia, said: "Vietnam is following the path of industrialization. We see that Vietnam is developing several specialized industries, ranging from manufacturing conventional products to complicated technologies. Vietnam is developing major industries to create a general structure for the economy."

Vietnam has gone from being one of the countries with the lowest per capita income in the world to being a low-middle-income country. Vietnam’s annual per capita income increased from 86 USD in 1988 to 4,100 USD in 2022 and is expected to reach 4,400 USD this year.

Veeramalla Anjjaiah, a Senior Expert of the Center for Southeast Asian Affairs in Indonesia, said: "Vietnam has protected human right in the country. In reality, Vietnamese people enjoy several freedom and human rights. The government is committed to the welfare of the people and the socio-economic development of the country. The government has successfully achieved remarkable progress in all sustainable development goals. The government has reduced the poverty rate. It means the government has successfully lifted millions of people from poverty."

Since peace was restored, Vietnam has promoted an open diplomatic policy of diversification and multilateralization to support national renewal.

Vietnam has established relations with 190 of the 193 members of the UN and economic, trade, and investment ties with more than 230 countries and territories. Businesses from 142 countries and territories are now investing in more than 36,000 projects in Vietnam, with a registered capital of more than 440 billion USD.

Vietnam is a member of more than 70 international organizations and forums, including the UN, ASEAN, and APEC.

With its impressive achievements in national renewal and its effective contributions to international efforts, Vietnam has been elected to the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 and 2020-2021 tenures, the Social-Economic Council for the 1998-2000 and 2016-2018 tenures, and the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 and 2023-2025 tenures.

Since 2014, the Vietnam People’s Army has participated in UN peacekeeping missions and has successfully fulfilled its tasks. So far, Vietnam has deployed more than 500 military personnel to the UN mission and headquarters, who have promoted the image of Vietnam as a country ready to contribute to global peace, security, and development.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (Photo: VNA)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: "Vietnam has been a strong partner of the UN since joining the organization in 1977. Your women and men in uniform are playing their part in the UN peacekeeping missions and your leading role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals are the solid foundation for the effort to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The vision and ambition of Sustainable Development Goals will be more important than ever as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As the elected member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam has been making important contribution in support of sustainable peace."

Vietnam’s achievements during the last 48 years, since its national reunification, manifest the Vietnamese people’s determination to make Vietnam stronger, more beautiful, and more prosperous. These achievements are momentum for Vietnam to become a developed, high income country by 2045 when it celebrates its 100th founding anniversary.