Chinh said despite the negative impact of the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam managed to weather the crisis and recorded important results in 2021.
“The country basically brought the pandemic under control, and it emerged as one of the six countries with the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the world,” said the PM.
“The country’s macroeconomic stability and major balances were ensured, and business and production activities were gradually resumed.”
He emphasized that from an economy completely dependent on foreign aid after the war, Vietnam has now built an independent and self-reliant economy.
Last year, he said Vietnam recorded a GDP growth rate of 2.58%, with total export revenue rising 22.6% to US$668.5 billion and trade surplus of US$4 billion.
According to the Government leader, the pandemic remains complicated globally, but the recorded gains would enable Vietnam to open the door and welcome people living overseas to visit their homeland.
“In the near future, we will continue to open the door more strongly, including resuming international commercial flights and bringing back students to school, especially after the lunar New Year holiday,” said the PM.
He stated that the government will also continue to ask airlines to expand flights to many other parts of the world to make travel easier.
The government leader thanked Vietnamese expatriates overseas for their significant contributions to the nation and at the same time shared their concern about difficulty in travelling due to the impact of the pandemic that has prevented the expatriates returning to the homeland for family reunion during the festive season.
“The government understands, shares your concern and holds the responsibility for repatriating overseas Vietnamese home, and we are trying to ensure your way home will be closer,” said Chinh, adding that during the past two years relevant agencies have managed to operate many flights to repatriate more than 200,000 Vietnamese citizens home.
He assured that the Party and State will continue to introduce incentives to mobilize resources, and create a favourable environment for overseas Vietnamese to contribute intellectually and develop the country.
The meeting was part of the annual Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) programme designated for Vietnamese expatriates living overseas. This year, nearly 60 intellectuals and entrepreneurs representing Vietnamese people from 23 countries and territories globally have returned to Vietnam for the programme.
