On December 22, 2024, nine days ahead of the Prime Minister’s deadline, hundreds of new houses in resettlement areas for families in Lao Cai affected by Typhoon Yagi were inaugurated, including the Lang Nu Resettlement Area.
People from many regions of the country eagerly came to join their fellow citizens in celebrating the move to new homes. With the Lunar New Year approaching, it brings hope for a stable and prosperous life.
Recalling over three months ago, the devastating Typhoon Yagi ravaged numerous provinces and cities in our country. More frighteningly, the typhoon’s remnants caused floods and landslides in many areas, especially in the northern mountainous provinces, including Lao Cai.
On September 10, accumulated rainfall from prolonged heavy rain triggered a landslide of approximately 1.6 million cubic metres of soil, rocks and mud, burying the entirety of Lang Nu Village, causing many people to permanently lose their lives, and leaving many families torn apart.
Typhoon Yagi came with devastating power, causing heavy rain in 26 northern provinces and cities, negatively impacting production, business and people’s livelihoods, resulting in 344 deaths and missing persons, and property damage of over 81 trillion VND (3.2 billion USD). Following Typhoon Yagi, Typhoon Trami also caused severe damage to a number of central provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Nam.
The revival of Lang Nu and other regions from north to central to south comes not only from the resilience of each citizen, but also from the brilliant tradition of mutual love between fellow countrymen. This love, support and brotherhood is embedded in every aid truck, every relief mission working tirelessly day and night, undeterred by distant or dangerous roads. Across our country, after each natural disaster, many homes are rebuilt, and many resettlement projects and investment initiatives are implemented, helping people regain stability.
The timely and thorough leadership and guidance from Party and State leaders has been essential in helping people’s lives return to normal. As a result, the authorities at all levels quickly focused on overcoming natural disaster consequences; restoring socio-economic activities, especially agricultural production; getting students back to school; providing timely medical care; ensuring no one goes hungry or cold; and leaving no one behind.
Life regenerates from loss and pain thanks to the beautiful tradition of “the intact leaf wrapping the torn leaf.” It is this spirit of unity, solidarity and shared purpose from all levels of government to citizens and businesses... that has been promoted and spread, enabling our country’s socio-economic situation to recover rapidly.
Despite countless difficulties and challenges, Vietnam’s GDP growth for 2024 is estimated at over 7%, placing our country among the few nations with high growth rates in the region and the world.
As 2024 draws to a close, the achievements in socio-economic development are truly noteworthy. However, we cannot allow ourselves to rest when the process of reforming the political system’s apparatus is creating strong changes in each Party member, official, and civil servant. To develop the country, streamlining the apparatus is the optimal solution. However, this reform must be conducted substantially, in a spirit of unity, creativity, willingness to sacrifice, and dedication to the common goal of serving the country and the people.
As a year passes, looking back at the miracle of revival further illuminates the message of a resilient Vietnam overcoming difficulties and continuing to be a bright spot of growth. The achievements gained through hardship further prove the spirit and indomitable character of the Vietnamese people, creating momentum for Vietnam to be ready in both mindset and resources to enter a new era.
