1. 13th National Party Congress a great success
The 13th National Party Congress was held successfully in Hanoi from January 25 to February 1, 2021. The congress event has established itself as a congress of “Solidarity - Democracy - Discipline - Creativity - Development” that inspired the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation, brought into play the will and strength of the great national solidarity, and comprehensively and uniformly stepped up the “Doi moi” (Renewal), industrialization, and modernization.
The congress identified national development goals for the next five and 10 years, and by 2045, when Vietnam is expected to become a socialist-oriented developed country.
2. Nearly 70 million voters participate in general election
On May 23, 2021, nearly 70 million people, or 99.6 percent of the voters nationwide, cast their ballots to exercise citizens’ rights and obligations to elect deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021 - 2026 tenure.
The elections took place in a democratic, law-abiding, and safe manner when the entire political system, people, and army were exerting efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Changes to covid-19 prevention and control strategy
The fourth wave of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, has reversed the previously obtained achievements in the pandemic combat when the numbers of infections and related deaths surged in many localities nationwide, especially those in the south.
Facing that fact, the Party and State changed the anti-pandemic strategy from “zero COVID” to the “dual targets”. On October 11, 2021, the government issued a resolution on safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic for the ultimate goal of protecting people’s lives and health. The resolution has helped curb virus transmission, recover socio-economic development, and gradually stabilize people’s life.
4. Vaccine strategy successfully implemented
Vietnam has mobilized every resource and shown the determination to carry out the COVID-19 vaccine strategy to achieve herd immunity. Many measures have been taken, including setting up a vaccine fund, conducting the vaccine diplomacy, developing home-grown vaccines, and organizing the largest-ever free vaccination campaign.
As of December 25, 98 percent of the people aged 18 and above have received at least one shot of vaccine, and 86 percent got the second dose. The vaccination for those aged between 12 and under 18 has also been stepped up.
5. Five important documents on party building, rectification issued
In the first year of the 13th tenure, five important documents were issued on the Party building and rectification.
They are the Politburo’s conclusion on the need to continue promoting the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and style, a conclusion on stepping up the Party and political system building and rectification, a regulation on the things Party members are not allowed to do, a conclusion on encouraging and protecting cadres who are active and creative, and dare to think and act, and a regulation on the dismissal and resignation of cadres.
6. National cultural conference inspires internal strength, unesco continues honoring vietnamese culture
The National Cultural Conference taking place on November 24, 2021 has identified six concrete targets and 10 key solutions for the cultural development in the coming time. Among others is the task to preserve the national identity and develop Vietnam’s culture in the new period.
On December 15, 2021, UNESCO officially inscribed the art of Xoe dance of the Thai ethnic group in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On November 23, the UNESCO General Conference decided to commemorate the 200th death anniversary of scholar Nguyen Dinh Chieu and the 250th birth and 200th death anniversaries of female poet Ho Xuan Huong in 2022.
7. Vietnam actively takes part in multilateral cooperation mechanisms
At the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Vietnam committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and reducing the methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2020.
Vietnam has continued making active and responsible contributions to regional and international mechanisms, such as ASEAN, ASEM, and APEC. It has successfully fulfilled its second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, been re-elected to the UN International Law Commission, and become a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for 2021 - 2025.
8. Strong economic fluctuations and efforts to maintain some growth pillars
In the third quarter of 2021, the gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 6.17 percent from the same period last year, the sharpest fall since Vietnam began calculating and announcing the quarterly GDP, due to the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. The service and industrial sectors in the southern region contracted sharply, and up to 60 percent of the people lost their jobs or experienced income decreases in the third quarter.
The National Assembly and the Government have issued strong policies to tackle the difficulties and challenges.
As a result, Vietnam has reached and surpassed some important economic targets, including the better-than-expected budget collection, exports surpassing 335 billion USD with the trade surplus hitting about 3 billion USD, and the attracted foreign direct investment exceeding 29 billion USD.
9. National population database system put into use for first time
The national population database system officially became operational on July 1, 2021, serving as an important basis for developing an e-Government, digital Government, and digital society.
Together with the achievement of the chip-based ID card issuance target, this is the first time fundamental information about Vietnamese citizens has been standardized, digitalized, and included in the inter-sector system.
10. Vietnam secures impressive sports achievements
For the first time, Vietnam national football team advanced to the third qualifying round of a FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the futsal team earned a berth in the finals of a FIFA Futsal World Cup for the second time.
Le Van Cong pocketed a silver medal in the men’s 9kg powerlifting at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi became the first Vietnamese boxer to win a World Boxing Organization belt in the women's mini-flyweight title fight./.
