Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has expressed his belief that with new momentum and under the sound leadership of the Party and the effective management of the State, the Party, people and army will overcome all challenges to build a prosperous country.
The Party leader made the statement at a meeting held on the occasion of the traditional Tet holiday at the Presidential Palace, Hanoi, on February 13.
The meeting saw the presence of incumbent and former Party, State and National Assembly leaders, including former Party General Secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Dai Quang, former President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man, among others.
In his remarks, Party General Secretary Trong reviewed achievements Vietnam has recorded over the past year across fields, will all the 13 set targets fulfilled or overfulfilled for the first time.
He highlighted the country’s GDP growth rate at 6.81 percent, macro-economic stability, curbed inflation and low budget overspending, adding that the total export-import revenue hit the record high of 425 billion USD.
Besides, production and business activities of the industrial, agricultural and service sectors have recovered and developed, while progresses were seen in tourism, culture, social affairs and crime combat, contributing to consolidating political security and ensuring social order and safety, the Party chief said.
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He also stressed that 2017 is the most successful year in external affairs, citing as examples a range of events such as the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year and APEC Year 2017.
“We have resolutely and persistently protected national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensured political security, social order and safety, and the country’s strategic interests, while maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment, maintaining good ties with neighbouring countries and creating a favourable environment for national construction and defence,” he said.
Such achievements have contributed to consolidating public trust, promoting patriotism and national pride, and bringing the country forwards on the path of Doi Moi, he said, attributing the results to the Party guidelines that meet the people’s aspiration, as well as national solidarity and joint efforts and consensus made by the entire Party, people and army.
The Party leader honoured the contributions of veteran revolutionaries, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, officials, Party members, the people, soldiers, and Vietnamese expat. He also expressed thank for the support and cooperation of foreign countries, international organisations and friends.
The Party leader stressed that 2018 is a decisive year in implementing the five-year development plan from 2016-2020.
He called on the entire Party, people and army to make greater efforts to carry out the tasks set in the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, reminding that apart from opportunities and favourable conditions, Vietnam is facing multiple new challenges.
Accordingly, priority should be given to completing the socialist-oriented market economic institutions, creating more remarkable changes in economic restructuring in combination with growth model reform, and improving productivity and economic competitiveness, the Party chief said.
At the same time, it is necessary to push forward the fundamental and comprehensive reform of the education-training sector, human resources development and scientific-technological applications in order to make the best use of opportunities generated by the fourth industrial revolution, he said.
The leader listed other tasks like strengthening people-based national defence and public security, intensifying external relations in national defence and security, safeguarding national security, social order and safety, and fighting plots and sabotaging activities of hostile forces.
He called for more efforts in building a pure, strong, effective Party and political system, as well as the resolve to combat corruption, wastefulness and other bad deeds, in order to consolidate public trust in the Party and State.
Hosts and guests raised toasts to the success of the nation’s revolutionary cause, the growth of the Party, prosperity of the country and happiness of the people.
The Governor-General highlighted the historic significance of the visit as the first time a Vietnamese leader has visited New Zealand in both capacities of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of the State.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Vietnam–New Zealand relations have continued to grow strongly, with substantive cooperation in numerous areas and further expansion in education and agriculture, generating fresh momentum for bilateral ties.
Regarding administrative reform, amendments to the Law on Radio Frequencies will remove licensing requirements deemed unnecessary or already regulated under other laws.
The ceremony was conducted in accordance with protocol for foreign heads of state visiting New Zealand, incorporating a traditional Māori welcome ceremony and an official greeting.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam described overseas Vietnamese as “ambassadors” who help promote Vietnam's positive image internationally, and urged them to maintain solidarity, preserve national pride and cultural traditions, and make practical contributions to the country's development.
The Party leader stressed that the passing of NA President Xaysomphone is a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, while Vietnam has also lost a great friend and a close, loyal comrade who had always held deep affection for the country, offered valuable support, and worked tirelessly to nurture and consolidate the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.
Highlighting positive outcomes in Vietnam-Singapore cooperation across all areas, particularly since bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed that the two sides maintain and step up high-level visits and exchanges at all levels.
Australia attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and highly values the substantive progress in bilateral relations, said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.
According to Government proposals submitted to the legislature, Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh cities will be formed based on the respective natural areas, populations and numbers of commune-level administrative units of the two provinces. Both proposals meet all five conditions stipulated in the Law on Organisation of Local Administration No. 72/2025/QH15 and all seven criteria for establishing centrally-run cities under Resolution No. 112/2025/UBTVQH15.
Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a capable revolutionary intellectual with broad knowledge and a strategic vision. Throughout his career, he remained committed to the Party's ideals and objectives, and demonstrated responsibility, flexibility and discipline in carrying out his assigned tasks.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked the Israeli Government to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Israel at a meeting with outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on August 12.
Vietnam plans to establish a Vietnam–New Zealand Friendship Association as a counterpart to the New Zealand–Vietnam Friendship Association, thereby strengthening connections and exchanges and helping deepen and broaden friendship between the two peoples.
The joint statements comprise one on deepening the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, one on economic resilience cooperation, and another on the enhancement of science, technology and innovation connectivity.
Most deputies welcomed the draft law’s reform-oriented approach and a number of breakthrough policies, including greater decentralisation in organisational arrangements, staffing management and policy implementation.
Vietnam and Australia will step up cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, digital technology, cybersecurity, green technology and emerging technologies, while supporting each other in enhancing capacity to participate more deeply in regional and global supply chains. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in education and training and people-to-people exchanges.
PM Albanese welcomed General Secretary and President Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their state visit to Australia, stressing its signficance amid the rapidly growing ties, particularly since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2024.
Welcoming General Secretary and President Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, the Australian parliamentary leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s development achievements and expressed their admiration for the dynamism and creativity of the country and its people, particularly young Vietnamese. They said this energy and determination reflected Vietnam’s strong resolve and aspiration to build a prosperous and powerful nation.
Governor-General Mostyn expressed her pleasure at meeting General Secretary and President Lam again in Canberra after her first state visit to Vietnam in September 2025.
Building on more than half a century of trust and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, the visit is hoped to create fresh momentum for deeper bilateral ties, bring practical benefits to people and businesses in both countries, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
Writing in the book of condolences, the Vietnamese leader expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, describing it as a great loss to the Lao Party, State, NA and people, as well as to Vietnam, which had lost a great friend and loyal comrade who made important contributions to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.