Singapore (VNA) – The Sunday Times, a Sunday edition of TheStraits Times, has published an article commenting that in thepandemic-battered environment, few countries are approaching a major leadershiptransition amid conditions as rosy as Vietnam's.
With domestic coronavirus infections largely under control,its economy is expected to outpace the region at 6.7 per cent growth this year.
A recently sealed free trade agreement with the EuropeanUnion (EU) makes the country even more attractive as a harbour for foreign investors.
While airlines around the region hit the dust, Vietnam'sfifth carrier launched its maiden flight last month.
Meanwhile, a high-profile anti-corruption drive hassidelined potential opposition and improved public opinion of the rulingCommunist Party of Vietnam, according to the article.
The article quoted Dr. Le Thai Ha from the Fulbright Schoolof Public Policy and Management as saying that Vietnam is on a firm footing.The government has managed to lower public debt, increase foreign currencyreserves and create a more conducive environment for start-ups.
According to the paper, the 13th National PartyCongress, scheduled for January 25 – February 2, will outline socio-economicdevelopment orientations and appoint top politicians for a new tenure.
In the article, Dr. Le Thu Huong, a senior analyst from the Australian StrategicPolicy Institute,said the next leadership will have to steer the countrythrough the very challenging post-COVID-19 environment.
Vietnam needs to harness the potential consequences of theUS-China trade war, which makes the country an attractive market, and alsoharness the early recovery from COVID-19, she said, adding that Vietnam willalso have to restructure its economy to make the most of the free tradeagreements with the EU and 14 other countries in the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP) agreement that it signed last year./.