We forge our own path independently and creatively.

Concluding 2022 – a pivotal year for the 13th National Congress of the Party – it can be affirmed that, with the unity and extraordinary efforts of the entire Party, people, and army, continuing to innovate and proactively overcome enormous, some severe and dangerous, challenges in the reconstruction of the country after the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to reap important, comprehensive achievements with a very commendable growth rate.

Vietnam's strength and influence are constantly being enhanced, and the country's position and prestige in the region and on the international stage are continuously being affirmed and honored.

Vietnam's economy is recovering post-Covid-19 and is highly regarded by the world.

The main socio-economic development indicators have all met and exceeded the plan: Growth rate reached its highest level in the past decade (over 8.0%); the economic structure continues to shift towards industrialization and modernization; major and important balances are ensured and maintained at the macroeconomic level... The development of science and technology, education and training, culture and society have all made significant progress.

In terms of scale, speed, and depth of the reform process, we proactively and actively innovate, reorganize, and improve the leadership and management apparatus; continue to reform administrative and judicial work; strengthen the fight against corruption, waste, and negative phenomena, and practice thrift; constantly maintain national security and defense; and proactively promote foreign relations and international integration in an increasingly comprehensive, profound, and effective manner.

This is the result of innovation, of the spirit of national unity, of international support and cooperation… All of these factors have converged and crystallized into the strength, prestige, and status of the country!

Currently, the new era of global competition and development, with the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a flat space and the speed of globalization, is opening up unprecedented new development opportunities on a groundbreaking scale and pace, but also posing intractable challenges of backwardness for all nations and peoples on a global scale in a volatile world. Simultaneously, it is ushering in a new, intense era of integration and competition for Vietnam within the international community.

We must continue to innovate not only in vision and policy decisions, but also in rectifying and reforming the fundamental foundations, long-term plans, and strategic development mechanisms suitable for the country and the times: Innovating strategic vision, comprehensively and synchronously raising the strength of national unity, seizing the power of the times to build the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society, with the aspiration for Vietnam to become a powerful and humane nation, holding a worthy position in the international community.

Vietnam must become even more independent, unified, democratic, free, and strong.

That is the only correct path of development if we want to ensure the success of comprehensive and synchronized reforms in line with global development trends. We cannot afford to wait, to be overly cautious and perfectionistic, or to adopt a hesitant and indecisive attitude. Half-hearted and piecemeal actions are unacceptable. At this point, the country will either fall behind or develop; in today's world, we cannot stand still, because more than ever, standing still, in any aspect, is tantamount to falling behind in today's unpredictable world.

Without a strategic positioning for industrialization and modernization, the country will inevitably find it even more difficult to secure a worthy place on the international stage, and even harder to contribute to building the world alongside humanity. We must create national socio-economic development centers and unique national value chains that are "Make in Vietnam" and aligned with global values. This is the face, the destiny, and the honor of the nation!

Institutions! Institutions! And, institutions must be the imperative for innovation and creativity; a breakthrough on par with the times to unleash internal potential and proactively and comprehensively integrate into the international community in that direction.

Institutions and policies regarding culture must be designed to facilitate its revival and development.

As the world becomes increasingly globalized, the issue of national identity for each nation emerges as a crucial and essential proposition. Therefore, addressing the national question for global development and proactively anticipating and embracing the overall global dynamics to practically and specifically address national affairs must naturally and inevitably become a parallel imperative for action. There is no other development strategy than, on the cultural path, Vietnamese nationalism, under the banner of the Party, must become the fundamental and powerful driving force in the country's development process now and in the future. This is the ultimate goal of economics or politics, of diplomacy or defense, of the economy and the environment… imbued with Vietnamese humanism. We walk our own path independently and creatively using our own methods and measures on the great path of humanity. Neglecting culture in development will cost us many generations. If we become complacent and degrade our culture, we will "lose ourselves," guaranteeing failure from the very foundation, identity, and strengths. Ultimately, nothing will be sustainable!

Therefore, in the vision towards 2045, and specifically towards 2030, with the process of innovation, creativity, national construction and defense, Vietnam must become a developed, modern industrialized nation, striving for a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization, with the Vietnamese spirit; a place where trust, knowledge, and unwavering loyalty, compassion, and harmony with international friends converge; a member of the humane, peaceful, and progressive world within the global whole.

It is a strategic choice, a political statement of international significance for the country in today's world.

The reform process in the vision for 2045 is challenging. Without courageous innovation, without fostering national unity, and without nurturing and developing human resources for the happiness of the people, there will certainly be no breakthroughs that unleash the full potential and strength for development as desired, and even less likely any rapid and successful progress as envisioned. Therefore, any reform, modernization, or any aspiration for leapfrog development, however good and justifiable, will ultimately remain an illusion without national unity and the proper utilization of talent. That is the dignity of our nation!

As the leading and ruling power, the Party must be a model of internal unity, worthy of being the nucleus of great unity within the political system, consolidating the entire nation and fostering international solidarity. Without successfully combating corruption, waste, and negative practices, Vietnam will inevitably become weak, national vitality will be diminished, and the country will definitely not achieve any desired development.

Stepping confidently into 2023, with a proactive approach, building upon the significant achievements of 2022, and with the new acceleration of national development after more than 36 years of reform, the country is proactively seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges, uniting, and transforming opportunities and potential into greater realities, with higher quality and stronger, more humane, and sustainable development.

From the vision for 2045, welcoming the new year 2023, with unwavering belief in continued success, with a feasible system of solutions already planned, the entire nation united, the whole country striving, under the banner of the Party, will certainly succeed, for the honor and prestige of an independent, unified, democratic, just, civilized and strong Vietnam.