OP-ED

In Vietnam, the potential is enormous: investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure could generate up to half a million new jobs by 2030, especially in sectors such as solar power, energy efficiency, and clean transport.

The proposal is of historic significance, not only in terms of restructuring administrative units and civil employees, but also in decentralising power, re-arranging administrative boundaries, allocating resources, and redesigning development spaces, with the aim of bringing the administration closer to the people, better serving the people, and opening up a new complexion for national development, with a long-term vision for at least 100 years.

Currently, in Vietnam, there are more than 670 SOEs, with about two-thirds wholly owned by the state. In the remaining ones, the state holds more than 50% of the charter capital.

Many experts believe that to effectively implement this policy, a suitable roadmap and concerted solutions are necessary to ensure the rationality of the organisational structure, avoid overburdening local administrations, and guarantee the maximum legitimate rights and interests of the people.

Beyond reforms, establishing effective mechanisms for dialogue and policy feedback is critical, enabling the private sector to shape economic decisions with practical, actionable input.

Within just the first 15 days of March - the month marking the commencement of the new organisational apparatus - a series of swift, decisive, and practical national and social policy decisions were made, demonstrating a firm commitment to the principles of ensuring an “elite, streamlined, strong, efficient, valid and effective” newly-formed system.

Specifically, on March 1, the Government issued Decree No. 51/2025/ND-CP amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 10/2022/ND-CP dated January 15, 2022 regulating registration fees. The new decree clearly states that BEVs will continue to be exempt from 100% of the first-time registration fees from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2027.

Beyond legal measures, education and awareness on traffic etiquette are crucial. Encouraging a culture of patience and respect on the roads will help foster a more harmonious and safer society.

From January 25 to 10am on February 2, the country recorded 445 traffic accidents, resulting in 209 deaths and 373 injuries, while over 17,000 cases of drunk driving were detected.

The fruits of economic growth must be shared harmoniously, fairly, and equitably among all citizens, Party General Secretary To Lam told a conference reviewing the 2024 performance and setting 2025 tasks for the Government and local authorities in Hanoi on January 8.

Despite Vietnam's efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights, including the protection of freedom of religion and belief, which have been recognised and highly praised by many countries, certain individuals and organisations with hostile ideologies have continued to distort the truth, fabricate stories, and create false narratives with malicious intents.

Sabina Stein, Head of Governance & Participation, UNDP in Vietnam, has recently penned an article, lauding Vietnam’s engagement in international human rights instruments and cooperation.

The strong development of digital technology has made the protection of national sovereignty, independence, security, social order and people in the cyberspace an urgent need for every country and Vietnam is no exception. Vietnam has been working to establish a standardised legal framework to create a safe, healthy, and sustainable digital environment.

Vietnam’s Constitution clearly stipulates the equal rights of ethnic groups and the right to freedom of belief and religion, while the Party and State have consistently implemented policies that respect and protect these rights, ensuring equality among ethnic groups and providing the best conditions for minorities to preserve their cultural identities and thrive in all areas, considering this the cornerstone of national great unity and sustainable development. Yet, hostile organisations have continuously used various tactics to undermine the great national unity bloc and spread distorted allegations about religious and ethnic issues in Vietnam.

Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam Carmen Cano de Lasala and UNFPA Country Representative Matt Jackson have jointly penned an article on the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10), saying diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination remain at the heart of Vietnam’s development agenda.

The central steering committee for the review of the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, issued by the 12th Party Central Committee in 2017, on December 5 requested all units to complete their proposals for restructuring and streamlining the organisational apparatus in December 2024, in preparation for extraordinary meetings of the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly, scheduled to take place in February 2025.

The continued reform and restructuring of the political system's organisational apparatus are a critical and urgent task in the current situation as time does not wait, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed while addressing the Party Central Committee’s meeting on November 25.

Party General Secretary To Lam has emphasised that streamlining the political system must begin with specific, detailed, and practical steps.

For ASEAN, leveraging intangible assets is no longer an option, it’s an imperative. By unlocking the region’s intangible assets, ASEAN can transform this moment of promise into a legacy of tangible growth, securing its position as a global leader in innovation, productivity and prosperity.

“As we reflect on the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, it is evident that ASEAN is committed to building a future that is connected, resilient, and inclusive,” said Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.