Vietnam's foundation and potential

Entering the new spring - Spring Quy Mao 2023 with new spirit and new motivation, we will certainly achieve new victories, bringing the country into a new period of development.

For a long time, with all modesty, we have seen ourselves as a small country, striving to rise up and proactively integrate deeply with the world. But these days, the international press has written a lot about Vietnam's achievements in economic development after the COVID-19 pandemic with miraculous growth of 8.02% for 2022, total import-export turnover reaching a record level of 732 billion USD, up 10% compared to 2021. Vietnam continues to be in the group of 25 leading economies in terms of trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has noted that in recent years, Vietnam has continuously been in the group of 30 countries and territories with the largest import-export value of goods globally.

According to the ranking of the most powerful countries on the planet in 2022, published by US News and World Report, Vietnam is the 30th most powerful country in the world. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is only behind Singapore (26th), above Indonesia (32nd) and Thailand (36th).

Looking back at the year of Nham Dan 2022, a year filled with important, exciting and emotional events. In the context of many difficulties, or in other words, double difficulties from within the country and abroad, but with the efforts, persistent struggles, will, mettle and creativity of the entire Party, people and army, we have united, overcome difficulties and challenges, and achieved many important and quite comprehensive results and achievements in all fields.

Overcoming many extremely adverse impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global political fluctuations, the country's socio-economic picture is still bright with brilliant colors: GDP growth is estimated at 8.02%, GDP scale is estimated at about 409 billion USD. State budget revenue is estimated to exceed 27.76% of the estimate, up 14.12% compared to 2021. Total social investment capital is estimated to increase by 11.2%. Export turnover is estimated at 371.39 billion USD, up 10.6%; the economy is estimated to have a trade surplus of 11.2 billion USD... While many major economies are "struggling in a price storm", we still control inflation well, the average consumer price index (CPI) for the whole year only increased by 3.15%.

In addition, national defense and security continued to be consolidated and enhanced; social order, safety, independence and sovereignty were maintained; foreign affairs and international integration achieved many positive results; our country's prestige and position continued to be enhanced. The investment and business environment changed quite positively. The fields of culture, society, labor and employment achieved many important results. The epidemic was controlled. People's lives were improved. Vietnam continued to be an attractive investment destination and a dynamic economy, recognized and ranked highly by many international organizations in 2022.

The above results are not just our complacency or "self-praise" but have been recognized by international organizations and media.

Highly appreciating Vietnam's economic results, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) commented,Vietnam is a bright spot "in the gray picture" of the global economy.; Nikkei Asia upgrades Vietnam's COVID-19 recovery index to second in the world.

According to the international media, Straitstimes.com (Singapore) assessed that Vietnam's economy will grow the fastest in Asia in 2022. CNN called this the fastest rate since 1997. BBC emphasized that this is the highest growth rate in the period 2011-2022. According to Sputnik news agency (Russia):Thanks to miraculous economic growth, low inflation, booming imports and exports, political stability and brilliant diplomatic successes, Vietnam has emerged as one of the rare bright spots in the gloomy picture of recession and crisis covering the whole world.

The above comments from international organizations and media agencies once again demonstrate the assessment of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong when summarizing the 12th term and looking back at 35 years of innovation:"We have achieved great and historic achievements, developing more strongly and comprehensively than in the years before the renovation. With all modesty, we can still say that: Our country has never had such a foundation, potential, position and international prestige as today."

Not only believing in ourselves, international recognition and evaluation also motivate us to confidently enter the new year of Quy Mao 2023 - the mid-term year - a pivotal year, of great significance in implementing the Resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress, the Resolution of the National Assembly on the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025, a year of many challenges waiting ahead.

Forecasts clearly indicate that in 2023 the world situation is expected to continue to develop very complexly, rapidly, and unpredictably. Domestically, the economy will have opportunities, advantages, difficulties, and challenges intertwined, but the latter will be more difficult and challenging. The Vietnamese economy will also have to face many "headwinds".

In that context, with the determination to successfully implement the goals set for 2023 as well as the entire term, Resolution 01/NQ-CP dated January 6, 2023 of the Government on the main tasks and solutions to implement the Socio-Economic Development Plan, State budget estimates and improve the business environment, enhance national competitiveness in 2023 has identified the 2023 management theme as"Solidarity, discipline, flexibility, innovation, timeliness and efficiency".Resolution 01/NQ-CP also clearly states 6 viewpoints, key directions and 11 groups of tasks and main solutions, and assigns specific responsibilities to ministries, branches and localities in organizing implementation.

We are clearly aware that the results achieved in 2022 are very important and very proud, but we should not "rest on our laurels". The tasks set for 2023 are very heavy and the path to happiness and prosperity still has many difficulties and challenges. Therefore, in order to continue moving forward on the chosen path, our entire Party, people and army need to strengthen solidarity; once united, we will become even more united; once determined, we will become even more determined; join hands and unite, promote the spirit of patriotism, Vietnamese bravery and intelligence, the cultural and heroic traditions of the nation, strive to turn difficulties into advantages, challenges into opportunities, opportunities into motivation and resources to build our country to be increasingly prosperous and happy. Administrative agencies surpass themselves, immediately get to work from the first day and week of the new year with new spirit, innovation and creativity to serve the Fatherland and the people better.

We believe that, under the correct leadership of the Party, the flexible, creative, drastic and effective management of the Government, the united efforts of the entire political system, the people, businesses, and international friends, with the spirit of "first support, second support, one call, all respond, top and bottom unanimity, clear communication", entering the new spring - Spring Quy Mao 2023 with new spirit, new motivation, we will certainly achieve new victories, bringing the country into a new period of development. Every Vietnamese, whether at home or abroad, has the right to be proud of their nation, of the glorious tradition of building and defending the country. The new spring has come, spring brings us more hope, more pride in a Vietnam that is striving to rise up and affirm its role and position in ensuring peace and development in the region and the world./.