“We are confident in our internal strength, national unity and the extent of our international cooperation when entering the year 2010, as the country is hosting numerous large and important events,” said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency before the forthcoming Lunar New Year festival, the State leader said that the world economic and financial crisis continues to leave a strong impact across the globe, including Vietnam.

However, thanks to the effort made by the whole Party, armed forces and the public, Vietnam has gradually overcome these difficulties and attained a GDP growth of over 5 percent, said President Triet, who described it as a considerable achievement.

“Overcoming these difficulties has helped us to gain more experience and become even more confident on the road to development with many barriers and challenges lying ahead,” he added.

In 2010, Vietnam will organise many large celebrations and important events, including the 80 th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 65th National Day, the 65th anniversary of the August Revolution and the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The country will also mark the 35th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification and the 120th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh, said Triet, adding that party committees at all levels are holding congresses during the year in preparation for the eleventh National Party Congress scheduled for 2011.

According to the State leader, many factors have led to the country’s success, the most important being the solidarity and joint efforts made by the Party, armed forces and people and the Party and State’s sound policies.

Another factor is that the country has a strong and stable agriculture sector which helps to ensure people’s standard of living. “While exports face difficulties, the vast domestic market has helped to maintain growth, he said, adding that the cooperation and assistance from international friends across the world has contributed a lot to the country’s accomplishments.

These are valuable experiences that will be utilised in the near future, he stressed.

President Triet went on to say that the Party and the State have mapped out programmes and plans to fulfil the objectives set for 2010 with the top priority to be given to consolidating national unity, which has always been of great importance throughout all periods of history.

In addition, every sector and every person must try their best to fulfil their tasks to a high standard, he said, adding that these efforts should be focused on overcoming the consequences of the global economic-financial crisis to boost the national economy.

The National Assembly has set its targets for 2010, with a GDP growth rate of up to 6.5 percent. “We are determined to reach a rapid and sustainable economic growth and I believe we will successfully make these targets,” Triet stressed.

Regarding administrative reforms and the fight against corruption, the State leader stated that Vietnam has recorded some important initial results in administrative reforms, which has helped with the country’s socio-economic achievements.

Thanks to these reforms, many economic institutions and regulations have been upgraded and the States organisation and operations of the State apparatus have been enhanced and completed in line with the current situation under international laws and practices, he said.

They have also helped to create a socialist-oriented market economy and ensure democracy, he added.
According to him, administrative reform is the key to effectively preventing corruption and administrative reforms and preventing corruption are inter-linked. Good administrative reforms are the best way of preventing corruption and vice versa, the successfully prevention of corruption will effectively speed up the implementation of administrative reforms.

Discussing the role, position and prestige of Vietnam in the international arena, President Triet said that in 2009, the Party and State’s leaders, including him, attended many diplomatic events and paid a number of overseas visits.

“The leaders and people of countries overseas have spoken very highly of Vietnam’s role, position and prestige,” he said, adding that many leaders of other nations and international organisations have praised Vietnam’s development over the past few years and hope to strengthen ties with the country.

“This constitutes favourable conditions for us to continue cooperating with other countries,” he said.

President Triet confirmed the Party and State’s policy to pursue diverse and multilateral international relations and said that Vietnam wants to become a friend and reliable partner to other countries, regions and international organisations around the world.

In his summing up, he highlighted the good impressions Vietnam made on other countries last year. “In the past, they were impressed by an unyielding and brave Vietnam during its struggle for national independence but nowadays they admire our country for its economic growth, its friendship and solidarity with other countries and nations throughout the world,” he said.

State President Triet used the occasion to thank people and soldiers nationwide as well as overseas Vietnamese people, for their efforts to boost national solidarity and maintain economic growth while making many achievements in internal and external relations.

The State President expressed his wishes that Vietnamese people both at home and abroad continue to exert every effort and have more confidence in the Party leadership and a brighter future for the country./.