2017 was an eventful year of Vietnam. On occasion of the Lunar New Year, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), highlights the progress of the nation in various areas.

1. Overcoming difficulties to fulfill all 13 socio-economic criteria

For the first time in years, Vietnam completed and surpassed all 13 socio-economic targets set by the National Assembly. The macro economy was stable, inflation was under control, while the State budget collection and major economic indicators met requirements. Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 6.7 percent whilst export revenue exceeded 200 billion USD. The country attracted more than 33 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), welcomed 13 million international tourists and saw over 120,000 new businesses established. Such outcomes created favorable momentum for the country to push ahead with development and implement the Resolution adopted at the 12th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

2. APEC 2017: Promoting regional cooperation, enhancing Vietnam’s position

The APEC Park in Da Nang, inaugurated in November. (Photo: toquoc.vn)

With the theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, APEC Vietnam Year 2017 was a comprehensive success in both bilateral and multilateral aspects. Major orientations were mapped out to propel economic cooperation in Asia-Pacific forward and further deepen collaborative relations between Vietnam and other APEC member economies as well as enhance the country’s position in the global arena.

3. Handling many complicated corruption cases

In 2017, several serious, complicated economic and corruption cases were handled, such as the Oceanbank case involving Ha Van Tham and his 50 accomplices and the case of Chau Thi Thu Nga and her nine accomplices occurred at Housing Group, the dismissal of Dinh La Thang from the Politburo, and the suspension of the NA deputy status of, legal proceedings against and arrest of Thang, investigating wrongdoings relating to many leaders of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, forcing organizations and inpiduals involved to bear responsibility before the law. Handling high-ranking officials, incumbent or retired, demonstrated there is no “prohibited zone” in the fight against corruption, and affirmed the determination of the whole political system and society to combat corruption and negative phenomena.

4. Promulgating a Resolution defining the crucial role of the private economic sector

On June 3, 2017, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong signed into effect Resolution 10-NQ/TW on developing the private economic sector into an important driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy. On October 3, the Government issued Resolution 98/NQ-CP promulgating the Government’s action program to implement the Party resolution. Accordingly, the State will remove all barriers and prejudice, create favorable conditions for the private economic sector to develop in a healthy, effective and sustainable manner. Vietnam aims to have at least 1 million firms by 2020, over 1.5 million by 2025, and at least 2 million by 2030. The private economic sector is expected to contribute about 50 percent, 55 percent and 60-65 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, 2025 and 2030, respectively.

Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 6.7 percent whilst export revenue exceeded 200 billion USD

5. Resolution on streamlining the political system comes into life

Resolution 18-NQ/TW on reforming and reorganizing the apparatus of the political system towards effective and efficient operation dated on October 25, 2017 has been carried out widely, creating initial changes in streamlining the organization of the apparatus; recruiting, appointing and promoting officials; and accelerating decentralization and administrative reform. The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee agreed to terminate the operation of the North West, Central Highlands, and South West Steering Committees. The National Assembly, and the People’s Councils of some cities and provinces promulgated resolutions, putting forth concrete measures to implement the policy.

6. Vietnam’s sport affirms position in regional, global arenas

Vietnamese athletes ranked third with 58 gold, 50 silver and 60 bronze medals at the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 29) in Malaysia on August 19-31. Track-and-field athletes won big with 17 gold medals with swimmers alone claiming 10 gold medals.

Weightlifter Le Van Cong secured a gold medal at the 2017 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Mexico, breaking the world record of his own at the 49kg men’s category and becoming the top disabled athlete in the history of Vietnamese sport with a collection of gold medals at Paralympic, world, Asia and Southeast Asia tournaments.

7. Two more heritage elements honored by UNESCO

On December 7-8, 2017, at the 12th session of the UNESCO Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jeju, the Republic of Korea, UNESCO added Vietnam’s “xoan” singing in northern Phu Tho province and “bai choi” singing in the central region into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “Xoan singing” was transferred from the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity thanks to great efforts to preserve this heritage over the past six years./.

( VNF/VNA )