On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2025, Party General Secretary To Lam granted an interview to Nhan Dan Newspaper about the key issues of the country in 2025 and the following years.
Q: General Secretary, in 2024, Vietnam overcame many difficulties and challenges and fulfilled outstanding achievements, creating momentum for 2025 to break through to the “finish line” and successfully completing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. In your opinion, what is the basis for us to achieve such results and what lessons can we draw from this?
A: The year 2024 ended with many successes and achievements in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, especially the socio-economic development targets. Up to this point, it can be affirmed that we have promptly seized the opportunity, overcome all difficulties and challenges, and achieved outstanding results in all aspects of politics, economy, society, national defence, security and foreign affairs.
First of all, in terms of politics, we have made very important progress in realising the goals set out in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, which are to enhance the Party’s leadership, governance and fighting capacity; to build a clean and strong Party and political system in all aspects; to consolidate and improve people's trust in the Party, the State and the socialist regime; and to arouse the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country.
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General Secretary To Lam delivers the opening speech at the meeting of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 25, 2024. (Photo: DANG KHOA) |
In terms of socio-economics, despite facing many difficulties from objective factors, both internal and external, we have still achieved very important results. The macro economy continues to be stable, inflation is controlled, economic growth is higher than the set target, belonging to countries with high growth rates in the region and the world, highly appreciated by many large and prestigious international organisations. Major balances are ensured; public debt, government debt, foreign debt and state budget deficit are well controlled and lower than the permitted limit. Social security is guaranteed and the labour market recovers positively. Social policy credit is promoted. Sustainable poverty reduction solutions and policies are effectively implemented, in which the poverty rate decreases by 1%, to 1.93%. The good news is that the socio-economic results of the following month are more positive than the previous month, the following quarter is higher than the previous quarter and compared to the same period of previous years in most areas. The cultural and social fields have achieved clearer results in terms of awareness, action and results.
Regarding national defence, security and foreign affairs, we have promoted the building of a solid national defence posture, a people’s security posture and a solid people’s hearts posture. National defence and security potential has been consolidated and enhanced in many aspects. All arising situations and urgent and important issues have been handled promptly and effectively, firmly protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity; ensuring political security and social order and safety. Foreign affairs and international integration continued to be bright spots; effectively implementing major policies, contributing to creating an environment of peace, cooperation and development. The foreign affairs landscape has been constantly expanded; the country’s position and prestige have been enhanced, making positive contributions to solving regional and global issues, which have been recognised and highly appreciated by the international community.
Regarding the basis for the above achievements, it can be affirmed that it is first of all thanks to the persistent efforts and great determination of the entire Party, the entire people, the entire army, and the entire political system throughout the past year. In particular, Party committees at all levels, especially the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat have clearly demonstrated their leadership, orientation, and guidance roles in guiding the political system to deploy drastic and effective solutions in the face of difficulties and challenges and to achieve the set goals. The Party Central Committee has resolutely and determinedly focused on solving many issues, from summarising and evaluating the results of implementing important Party resolutions and setting out major orientations to directing the preparation for Party congresses at all levels towards the 14th National Congress of the Party. In challenging times, the Party has clearly demonstrated its mettle and solidarity, being a unified bloc in will and action, thereby leading and directing the entire political system to strive to continue achieving great and comprehensive achievements in all fields.
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General Secretary To Lam attends the National Great Unity Festival in Mui Hamlet, Dat Mui Commune, Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau, on November 17, 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
Secondly, it is necessary to maximise the strength of national great unity and the entire political system to participate and clearly identify bottlenecks and institutional barriers that need to be cleared to liberate social resources and labour. The work of preventing and combating corruption, waste, and negativity with specific and clear results, demonstrating the Party’s high determination, has strengthened the trust, consensus, and support of cadres, Party members, and people for the political system. The Party’s correct policies and decisions, the solidarity, consensus, and high determination of the entire system, from top to bottom, have had a very positive impact, encouraging and motivating people and businesses to promote all resources to serve socio-economic development and maintain national defence and security. The Party Central Committee, the Government, and the National Assembly have identified, pointed out, and initially overcome problems related to development institutions, to clear bottlenecks and free up resources for society. Although these are only initial steps, they have had a clear stimulating impact on the investment and business environment, creating excitement and confidence among the people and the business community.
Thirdly, we need to promote the fundamental results and achievements that we have built since the beginning of the term and before. In particular, we cannot fail to mention the great role of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. His example of dedication and great contributions are a strong source of inspiration, encouraging the entire Party, the entire people and the entire army to unite, strive to overcome all challenges and difficulties and be determined to exceed the set goals.
Fourth is the combination of two very important factors - steadfastness in goals and flexible thinking, saying goes hand in hand with doing in actual implementation. We have closely followed the goals set out in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, with great determination, to achieve success. The more difficulties and challenges, the more we must demonstrate our mettle, the higher the determination, the greater the efforts. In implementation, we have been very flexible, based on the actual situation, taking advantage of all opportunities and resources to achieve the set goals.
Q: The 14th National Party Congress is identified as the beginning of a new era - an era of national rise, the entire nation, under the leadership of the Party, joins hands and hearts to bring the country to comprehensive, strong and breakthrough development. General Secretary, to firmly enter the new era, what is the key task in 2025?
A: The 14th National Party Congress is the Congress that marks the time when the country enters a new era - the era of national growth. But this is a relative time frame, from now on, the work must be carried out in the spirit of helping the country grow and take off. From now until the Congress, we have a lot of work to do, focusing on three main groups of tasks:
The first is the determination to successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. At the recent 10th Conference, the Party Central Committee unanimously identified the successful implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress as the highest goal of the entire Party, people and army in 2025. This task will be carried out with the highest determination, the greatest efforts, drastic actions, focus, and key points, with the most effective implementation solutions, concentrating all resources and measures, striving to achieve and exceed the set goals. With the results achieved from 2021 to the present and the expected socio-economic development in 2025, we will strive to achieve and exceed most of the main targets for the 2021-2026 period set by the 13th National Congress. In reality, there are still difficulties and challenges, especially in implementing targets related to GDP growth rate and quality, and labour productivity increase.
The entire political system, first of all, the Government, heads of departments, ministries, branches and localities must be truly determined, determined to do, have drastic, decisive and accelerated solutions to successfully carry out the socio-economic development task in 2025; strive to achieve and exceed targets, especially the GDP growth target and continue to create strong changes in the following years. At the same time, it is also necessary to focus on solutions for rapid and sustainable development; prioritise ensuring high economic growth along with environmental protection, social security, and taking the best care of people’s lives; firmly ensuring national defence and security, improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs, constantly enhancing Vietnam’s position and contribution to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
In 2025, we must urgently implement major policies that have been unanimously approved by the Party Central Committee and the Politburo, creating a foundation for the new stage, such as the policy of investing in the entire North-South high-speed railway project; regional railways; restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project and continuing to study the nuclear power development program in Vietnam; implementing steps to establish an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City, a regional financial centre in Da Nang; promoting the implementation of the national digital transformation revolution, developing science, technology, and innovation. These are strategic policies to develop infrastructure, attract investment capital, create momentum to promote the development of productive forces, meeting the requirements of national development in the new situation.
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General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the opening session of the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, on October 21, 2024. (Photo: quochoi.vn) |
The second is the group of tasks to prepare for the 14th National Party Congress, including two main contents: preparing documents to submit to the Congress and preparing personnel for the Congress. These are also two key tasks in the process of preparing and organising Party congresses at all levels, towards the 14th National Congress of the Party, following the spirit of Directive No.35-CT/TW dated June 14, 2024, of the Politburo. In particular, regarding documents, it is necessary to strongly innovate the construction method in a scientific, specific, clear, concise direction, with a clear strategic policy, that is easy to understand, and easy to implement so that it can be deployed immediately throughout the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army, right after the Congress. Regarding personnel work, this is an important task, the “key” of the “key”, which is of decisive significance for the successful implementation of the Party’s policies and guidelines to bring the country into a new era.
The third is to implement the Party Central Committee’s guideline on summarising the implementation of Resolution No.18-NQ/TW, issued by the Party Central Committee, which seeks to streamline the political system for greater efficiency. Up to now, the innovation and arrangement of the apparatus of the political system to be streamlined, strong, efficient, effective and efficient is an urgent requirement and cannot be delayed any longer. By the first quarter of 2025, the summary of the implementation of Resolution No.18-NQ/TW and the plan to arrange and perfect the apparatus of the political system must be completed. This is a particularly important task, highly anticipated, welcomed and strongly supported by cadres, party members and people.
Q: Of the three biggest bottlenecks today, namely development institutions, infrastructure and human resources, development institutions are the “bottlenecks” of “bottlenecks”. This issue has been thoroughly understood in recent times. What must we do to quickly remove bottlenecks in development institutions, to unblock resources for development?
A: As I have stated before the National Assembly and at several forums, of the three biggest bottlenecks today, development institutions are the biggest bottleneck. The limitations that have lasted for many years, if not promptly overcome, will continue to hinder development, causing wastefulness and missing development opportunities for the country in the new era. Removing bottlenecks and barriers is the responsibility of the entire political system and needs to be carried out synchronously and comprehensively, in which the breakthrough in development institutions should be considered the “breakthrough” of “breakthroughs”. In the immediate future, focus on several key tasks:
First, synchronously perfecting the development institution, including strong innovation in legislative work, transforming the thinking of law-making towards both ensuring the requirements of state management and encouraging creativity, liberating all productive forces, unleashing all resources for development, non-rigid management thinking, resolutely abandoning the mindset of if you can’t manage, then ban, and eliminating the mechanism of asking and giving. Perfecting the development institution also prevents wasting time and development opportunities. It is necessary to proactively, actively, and urgently build a legal corridor for new issues and new trends, including creating a legal framework to successfully implement the digital transformation revolution, creating a breakthrough for the country's development in the following years.
Second, regularly evaluate the effectiveness and quality of policies after promulgation to promptly adjust inadequacies and conflicts, reduce loss and waste of resources, and proactively detect and quickly remove bottlenecks caused by legal regulations. It is necessary to urgently focus on reviewing and resolving long-standing problems in important national projects, key projects, and low-efficiency projects, causing great loss and waste; and weak commercial banks.
Third, promote decentralisation and delegation of power, ensure smooth operation of the Party Central Government, associated with enhancing the proactiveness and creativity of localities in management and development, with the motto “locality decides, locality does, locality is responsible”. At the same time, innovate the decision-making process on the state budget to ensure substance, coupled with monitoring the implementation of the budget.
Fourth, thoroughly reform administrative procedures, reduce administrative costs, create the greatest convenience for people, focusing on simplifying administrative procedures, cutting unnecessary procedures that cause trouble for people and businesses, hindering fair competition; strengthen the review, reduction, and simplification of processes, regulations, procedures, and business conditions, ensuring substance and efficiency, based on taking people and businesses as the centre; enhance the application of science and technology, promote digitalisation, expand and improve the quality of online public services.
Fifth, link the work of preventing and combating corruption, wastefulness, and negativity with the building of development institutions, serving socio-economic development, contributing to accelerating, breaking through, and completing the goals outlined in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress; strengthening inspection, examination, and auditing activities in areas with high risks and public opinion on corruption, waste, and negativity; promptly resolve issues that the public is concerned about and the people are upset about, but minimise the impact on the normal operations of agencies, businesses and people.
Thank you very much!