(Photo: congthuong.vn)

Vietnam’s great achievements under the Party leadership prove the correctness of Vietnam’s path to socialism which aligns with Vietnam’s conditions and the global development trends.

Steady economic development

Before Doi Moi or national renewal began in 1986, Vietnam was a poor country, heavily devastated by war. After the periods of war, Vietnam was blockaded under economic embargo for nearly 20 years. Food and basic goods were in short supply, people’s lives were extremely difficult, and about 3/4 of the population lived below the poverty line.

Thanks to the renewal policy, Vietnam’s economy has grown steadily over the past 40 years with an average annual growth rate of nearly 7%. Vietnam’s GDP last year was 430 billion USD, making it the 5th largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and 35th among the 40 largest economies in the world. GDP per capita has increased 58 times, to 4,300 USD in 2023. Vietnam left the group of low-income countries in 2008 and aims to become a high middle-income country by 2030 with GDP per capita of 7,500 USD.

From a country with chronic food shortages, Vietnam has become a leading exporter of rice and many other agricultural products in the world. Foreign exchange reserves have increased sharply, reaching 100 billion USD in 2023. Vietnam has become one of the leading countries in ASEAN in attracting FDI.

A unique diplomatic policy ensures social security

Vietnam’s poverty has decreased 1.5% annually, dropping from 58% with the old standard in 1993 to 2.93% with the multidimensional poverty standard in 2023. Most rural communes have drivable roads with access to the rest of the country. They have access to the national electricity grid, primary and secondary schools, medical stations and telephone networks. Vietnam has put many modern airports and seaports into use. It has more than 1,900 kilometers of highway and widespread 4G and 5G network coverage. The poor, children under 6 years old, and the elderly are given free health insurance. The average life expectancy of the population has increased from 62 years of age in 1990 to 73.7 years in 2023. Currently, nearly 80% of the Vietnamese population use the internet, making it one the countries with the highest rate of information technology development in the world.

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Dinh Phong of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics said: “Building socialism is the cause of the people, by the people and for the people. During this process, we have recorded great achievements. Transition to the socialism process is a process of blending the old with the new. Ultimately, progress will win over backwardness.”

During nearly 40 years of national renewal, the Party has formed a very special, unique diplomacy which embraces the identity of “Vietnamese bamboo”. As a result, from a country under siege and embargo, Vietnam has now expanded and deepened its diplomatic relations with 193 countries. Vietnam has been performing its role well as a friend and reliable partner of the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said: “Our achievements have been many thanks to the correct leadership of the Party and the effective management of the State as well as the solidarity, high determination and great efforts of the entire political system. The close and smooth coordination between party diplomacy, state diplomacy and people’s diplomacy, between foreign affairs and national defense, security, economy, culture and society have brought tremendous social progress."

"We have pursued the handling of foreign affairs issues according to the motto “Being steadfast as a response to changes” to deploy prompt measures, take advantage of opportunities, and resolve challenges to successfully complete tasks of foreign affairs,” said Minister Son.

The great achievements of historical significance in the national renewal cause initiated by the Party and implemented by the Party’s leaders affirm that Vietnam’s path to socialism is correct and consistent with the current reality in Vietnam and with global development trends at this time. That practice confirms a truth that in Vietnam, no political force other than the Communist Party of Vietnam, with its bravery, intelligence, and experience, prestige and its ability to lead the country, can bring the nation’s revolutionary cause from victory to victory to develop steadily and effectively integrate into the world.