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Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng during the press conference held after the conclusion of the 13th National Party Congress in Hà Nội on February 1, 2021. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Leaders of many countries, including the US, Russia, France, South Korea, and ASEAN countries, have extended their congratulations to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng over his re-election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Việt Nam in the 13th tenure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s message says Russia values the personal contribution of the Vietnamese Party leader to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

It expresses his belief that with joint efforts, the two countries will continue to promote bilateral constructive dialogues and effective cooperation in all fields, which meets the interest of the people of both Russia and Việt Nam and contributes to ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden appreciated the commitments made by General Secretary Trọng to promoting the US-Việt Nam partnership, and expressed his wish to further bolster the bilateral ties.

He also welcomed the Vietnamese Party leader’s efforts in fighting corruption and promoting good governance, and wished the Party General Secretary success in his position.

The US President stressed that cooperation among the US, Việt Nam and the ASEAN community, was very important to promoting shared priorities in the context of grave challenges facing the international community.

The message from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind notes that under General Secretary Trọng’s leadership, the special and time-tested relations between India and Việt Nam have witnessed unprecedented development in the past decade with the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

The President wished to continue working with the Vietnamese leader to further promote the relationship between the two nations, saying that the close coordination and partnership between the two countries in the post-pandemic world will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said he was honoured to meet and talk with General Secretary Trọng during his visit to Việt Nam, his first trip abroad after taking office. He expressed a hope that he and the Vietnamese Party leader would continue to coordinate in the future to further develop and deepen the extensive strategic partnership of the two countries across the fields from politics and security to economics and trade.

As the world is facing unprecedented threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan wishes to stand side by side with the international community, including Việt Nam, to overcome difficulties and challenges, Suga’s message reads, noting his hope that the Japan-Việt Nam cooperative relationship will continue to be strengthened even during the pandemic.

President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in praised the efforts of the Vietnamese Party leader to develop the RoK-Việt Nam ties. He hopes to continue working with General Secretary Trọng for the development of the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership in the time ahead.

In his message, French President Emmanuel Macron notes that the two countries have made joint efforts to enhance their friendship and cooperation for many years. It highlights the visit by General Secretary Trọng to France in March 2018 as a strong boost to bilateral ties. France wants to work together with Việt Nam to overcome great global challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and preservation of biological diversity.

Macron hopes that the two sides will join hands to further deepen bilateral ties in economics, culture, health care and national defence. The message reiterates France’s strong commitment to ASEAN and close cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the UN Security Council on the basis of international law.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s message says that under the leadership of General Secretary Trọng, Việt Nam has made strong leaps in the past decade. The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam marked the start of a new key period in Việt Nam’s socio-economic development.

Singapore and Việt Nam are both traditional friends and strategic partners, and have always cooperated closely and effectively in both bilateral and ASEAN frameworks. The message affirms the Prime Minister’s belief that the close bilateral relations will continue to be promoted in the years to come.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha wrote that the outcomes of the Congress demonstrated the trust of the Vietnamese Party and people in Party General Secretary Trọng.

“I believe that under your sound leadership, Việt Nam will continue to develop more strongly,” he wrote, and re-affirmed Thailand’s firm commitment to further deepening the enhanced strategic partnership with Việt Nam.

The Thai PM wishes that the two countries will cooperate more closely for the interest of their people and for peace and development in the region. — VNS

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong during the press conference held after the conclusion of the 13th National Party Congress in Hanoi on February 1, 2021

Leaders of many countries, including the US, Russia, France, South Korea, and ASEAN countries, have extended their congratulations to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong over his re-election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the 13th tenure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s message says Russia values the personal contribution of the Vietnamese Party leader to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

It expresses his belief that with joint efforts, the two countries will continue to promote bilateral constructive dialogues and effective cooperation in all fields, which meets the interest of the people of both Russia and Vietnam and contributes to ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden appreciated the commitments made by General Secretary Trong to promoting the US-Vietnam partnership, and expressed his wish to further bolster the bilateral ties.

He also welcomed the Vietnamese Party leader’s efforts in fighting corruption and promoting good governance, and wished the Party General Secretary success in his position.

The US President stressed that cooperation among the US, Vietnam and the ASEAN community, was very important to promoting shared priorities in the context of grave challenges facing the international community.

The message from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind notes that under General Secretary Trong’s leadership, the special and time-tested relations between India and Vietnam have witnessed unprecedented development in the past decade with the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

The President wished to continue working with the Vietnamese leader to further promote the relationship between the two nations, saying that the close coordination and partnership between the two countries in the post-pandemic world will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide said he was honoured to meet and talk with General Secretary Trong during his visit to Vietnam, his first trip abroad after taking office. He expressed a hope that he and the Vietnamese Party leader would continue to coordinate in the future to further develop and deepen the extensive strategic partnership of the two countries across the fields from politics and security to economics and trade.

As the world is facing unprecedented threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan wishes to stand side by side with the international community, including Vietnam, to overcome difficulties and challenges, Suga’s message reads, noting his hope that the Japan-Vietnam cooperative relationship will continue to be strengthened even during the pandemic.

President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in praised the efforts of the Vietnamese Party leader to develop the RoK-Vietnam ties. He hopes to continue working with General Secretary Trong for the development of the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership in the time ahead.

In his message, French President Emmanuel Macron notes that the two countries have made joint efforts to enhance their friendship and cooperation for many years. It highlights the visit by General Secretary Trong to France in March 2018 as a strong boost to bilateral ties. France wants to work together with Vietnam to overcome great global challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and preservation of biological diversity.

Macron hopes that the two sides will join hands to further deepen bilateral ties in economics, culture, health care and national defence. The message reiterates France’s strong commitment to ASEAN and close cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the UN Security Council on the basis of international law.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s message says that under the leadership of General Secretary Trong, Vietnam has made strong leaps in the past decade. The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam marked the start of a new key period in Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

Singapore and Vietnam are both traditional friends and strategic partners, and have always cooperated closely and effectively in both bilateral and ASEAN frameworks. The message affirms the Prime Minister’s belief that the close bilateral relations will continue to be promoted in the years to come.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha wrote that the outcomes of the Congress demonstrated the trust of the Vietnamese Party and people in Party General Secretary Trong.

“I believe that under your sound leadership, Vietnam will continue to develop more strongly,” he wrote, and re-affirmed Thailand’s firm commitment to further deepening the enhanced strategic partnership with Vietnam.

The Thai PM wishes that the two countries will cooperate more closely for the interest of their people and for peace and development in the region.

VNS

Strategy eyes pursuit of ideal digital advances (photo: Duc Thanh)

For the first time in the history of the National Party Congress, the words “technology” and “innovation” will take a more prominent role in the draft Political Report that is compiled for discussion by the Central Party Committee. The draft will be debated at the 13th National Party Congress, which will take place in Hanoi from January 25 until February 2.

Amid the ongoing health crisis, attraction and application of high technology and innovation in all sectors of the economy are more necessary than ever for Vietnam, which is striving to become a modern, industrialised developing nation by 2025 and a developing nation with modern industry by 2035. The draft Political Report sets the target of an average annual growth rate of 6.5-7 per cent in the 2021-2025 period. It is expected that the ratio of total factor productivity (TFP) in economic growth by 2025 will be 45 per cent. Increases in TFP usually come from technological innovation or improvements.

Fostering a digital economy

Under Vietnam’s Socioeconomic Development Strategy for 2021-2020 as pointed out by the draft Political Report, Vietnam will “continue strengthening the renewal of economic growth model, strongly shifting the economy to a new growth model based on a rise in productivity, advanced science and technology, innovation, high-quality human resources, and effective usage of all resources in order to raise the quality, effectiveness, and competitiveness of the economy.”

The country will also “prioritise attraction of foreign-invested projects with high technology, an eco-friendly approach, and skilled labourers.” Such ventures are required to have a connection and technology transfer with domestic enterprises and facilitate those enterprises to develop and effectively engage in global value chains.

In addition to further improving the domestic investment and business climate, the country will also improve human resources quality, attract and foster talented people, and boost the innovation and application of scientific and technological achievements, especially those from Industry 4.0. All of these will “lay new momentum for national rapid and sustainable development.”

Notably, Vietnam is aiming to strongly develop the service sector based on the application of state-of-the-art scientific and technological achievements, especially services with high added value.

“Strong development is to be focused on a number of key services such as tourism, commerce, telecommunications, IT, transport, logistics, technical services, and legal consultancy,” stated the draft Political Report. “Modernisation and expansion will be applied to many services such as finance and banking, insurance, healthcare, education and training, science and technology, culture, and sports.”

Last October, Party General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong on behalf of the Politburo signed Resolution No.52-NQ/TW on some guidelines and policies to actively partake in Industry 4.0.

“Active participation in Industry 4.0 is an inevitable requirement of special significance for Vietnam to achieve breakthroughs in socioeconomic development,” the resolution noted.

Under the resolution, Vietnam has set a goal to increase the GDP share of the digital economy to 20 per cent by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030 when all people can access the 5G service. The country expects to become one of the leading hubs for startups and innovation in Asia by 2045. It also aims to increase the broadband internet coverage rate to 100 per cent (accessible by all communes) and labour productivity by 7 per cent annually from now to 2025.

To achieve these goals, Resolution 52 underlines a series of solutions such as the development of IT, electronics and telecommunications, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, finance and banking, healthcare, education and training, digital agriculture, and especially e-commerce.

Promoting Industry 4.0

Rachel Barger, COO of SAP Asia-Pacific and Japan, cited a survey by PwC stating that Vietnam might become one of the 20 largest economies globally and one of 10 largest economies in Asia by 2050, with one of the biggest foundations being strong digital development. “But Vietnam transforming its digital landscape for further development needs to be conducted at government and business levels,” stated Barger.

Resolution 52 ordered the government to lead the construction and implementation of the national strategy on Industry 4.0, and other schemes on national digital transformation and participation in Industry 4.0. The strategy will help Vietnam improve its competitiveness, attract more high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI), and ensure sustainable growth, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the drafting agency.

Under the strategy, the sectors that will be improved with high technologies include public administration, electricity-water, healthcare, education, processing and manufacturing (especially footwear, textiles and garments, and foodstuffs), agriculture, logistics, commerce, ICT, and finance and banking.

In order to develop these sectors, the government will beef up revising laws and regulations, especially those regarding venture capital and angel investment, with the most favourable conditions to be created for investors to conduct mergers and acquisitions, capital contributions, and apply high technologies.

“There will be special incentives for investment projects that create products and services using Industry 4.0 tech, especially joint ventures with domestic enterprises,” stated the draft strategy.

According to the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), which examined the impact of the draft strategy, Industry 4.0 transformation will likely raise Vietnam’s GDP by $28.5 to $62.1 billion, equivalent to a rise of 7-16 per cent, from now to 2030.

Boosting tech transfer

Experts stated that one of the key solutions for Vietnam to successfully conduct digital transformation and improve labour productivity is to boost technological transfer from foreign firms to domestic ones. This has also been one of the major targets of Vietnam in its strategy to attract FDI over the past three decades.

However, the goal has not yet been reached, though over the past years leading global technology companies have selected Vietnam to develop major manufacturing facilities that supply equipment and products to the world.

“Though Vietnam has attracted tens of thousands of foreign-invested projects over the past 30 years, foreign-invested enterprises’ (FIEs) technological transfer to domestic enterprises has taken place only at a negligible level,” said Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung.

“The transfer has failed to meet our expectations,” Tung stressed. “The technological spillover effects remain very limited. Only domestic firms transfer tech to one another.”

According to CIEM surveys, since Vietnam opened its doors to FDI, the prime goal of attracting high technology has not yet been achieved.

Specially, under a report on firm-level technology and competitiveness in Vietnam made from five major surveys involving over 38,700 local and foreign enterprises, technology advancements usually came from other domestic businesses. Over 80 per cent of technology transfers took place between Vietnamese enterprises, if both firms from the same and different sectors are taken into consideration.

According to the MPI, one of the key factors for the construction of a digital economy and successful implementation of Industry 4.0 is that the government will issue special incentives for FIEs to establish research and development centres in Vietnam. Currently, many foreign businesses have been operating such centres here, such as Singapore’s Grab, South Korea’s Samsung, Sweden’s ABB, and Germany’s Bosch. US telecoms giant Qualcomm is also considering founding such a centre in Vietnam.

Analysts laud Vietnam’s growth prospects The 13th National Party Congress has been covered by international media, with some publications, analysts, and other international onlookers highlighting Vietnam’s economic success at a time when the world economy is being ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters reported last week that the country will look to cement strong leadership to leverage Vietnam’s economic success in recent times. Key to that, it said, will be the challenge of balancing relations with China and the United States. Buoyed by the redirection of global trade in its favour, Vietnam is steadily growing into one of the world’s most important tech manufacturing hubs, as well as a centre for garment-making, in an economy on track to recover faster than most after the pandemic. “US-China strategic competition will continue to destabilise the regional geo-strategic and economic environment over the next five years,” said Le Hong Hiep of the Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. “This is a major challenge for Vietnam, given that its economy is very open and dependent on international trade and foreign investment.” Nikkei Asia Review said Vietnam’s production sector has proven its fast and steady recovery. The country’s open market and signing of numerous free trade agreements “are promising great opportunities for growth”. “Vietnam has started to emerge as the latest Asian nation with a strengthening position in the region, and a future high potential for economic growth,” wrote Murat Ungor from the Department of Economics at the University of Otago in New Zealand earlier last week. “If Vietnam can maintain a 7 per cent increase in economic growth over the next decade, the country will follow the same trajectory as previous ‘Asian Tigers’,” Ungor added. Meanwhile Grigory Trofimchuk, chairman of the Expert Council of the Eurasian Foundation for Support of Scientific Research, said that in recent decades, Vietnam has shown itself to be a reliable country with impressive growth in all fields, including political and socioeconomic development. “Its success is due to the strategic guidelines set by the Party, which considers changes both home and abroad in order to promptly make the necessary adjustments to all programmes and long-term plans,” he said. The Financial Express in India quoted the Economist Intelligence Unit as saying Vietnam has emerged as a low-cost manufacturing base in Asian supply chains, beating India and even China in some indicators, including foreign direct investment policy as well as foreign trade and exchange control. Malaysian-based The Star posted an article highlighting that member companies of the Vietnam Food Association have already inked several export contracts in 2021, especially with European partners and those from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership member countries. The Jakarta Post from Indonesia, meanwhile, praised the rise of e-commerce in Vietnam amid the pandemic in 2020. Although cash maintained its importance in the country, its number of mobile payments reached nearly 700 million by the end of August last year, up 980 per cent against the same period of 2019, official data shows. By Quang Hai

By Khoi Nguyen

Politburo and Secretariat of Party Central Committee hold first session

The Politburo and Secretariat of the 13th-tenure Party Central Committee held their first session in Hanoi on February 18 to discuss the key tasks for the first quarter along with the policy for purchasing and using COVID-19 vaccines. The Politburo and Secretariat asked Party Committees at all levels to focus on leadership and direction and offer all possible support to fight the pandemic, considering it a task of top priority.

The Politburo and Secretariat highlighted the need to realise the Resolution adopted by the 13th National Party Congress right from the beginning of the year as well as the Politburo’s Directive on the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 tenure.

Speaking at the event, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong urged every agency, sector and unit to build their own action plans for this year, initially for the first quarter, in order to conduct the policies adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.

Ceremony held to pay last respects to former Deputy PM Truong Vinh Trong

A State-level funeral was held for Truong Vinh Trong, who is a former Politburo member, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs, at the great hall of the Ben Tre Provincial People’s Committee and the National Funeral Hall on Hanoi on the morning of February 21.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong sent a wreath in commemoration of the deceased, who passed away on February 19 at the age of 79.

At the great hall of the Ben Tre People’s Committee, a delegation of the Party Central Committee led by Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc came to pay their last respects to Truong Vinh Trong and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

Truong Vinh Trong (also known as Hai Nghia) was born on November 11, 1942, in Binh Hoa Commune, Giong Trom District, in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre. He resided in Giong Trom District’s Luong Quoi Commune. He passed away at 3:25am on February 19 due to serious illness and old age.

Provinces launch tree planting festivals to support one billion tree programme

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other delegates planting trees in Phu Yen. (Photo: VGP)

A number of localities across the country have launched tree planting festivals as part of this year’s efforts in response to the Government’s programme on planting one billion trees to 2025. Addressing the ceremony held in Phu Yen province on February 20, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc Phuc emphasised that the tree-planting programme is a very meaningful event which is not costly but will bring about a lot of benefits.

The government leader noted that besides economics, science and technology, a green and clean environment is also an important factor contributing to enhancing the living standards of the people and promoting sustainable development. “Green also means prosperity and is the colour of fertility and sustainability”, thus the message of the programme on planting one billion trees will be “For a green Vietnam”, the PM added.

Over VND5.5 trillion earmarked for policy beneficiaries during Tet

Tet gifts presented to policy beneficiaries in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province (Photo: NDO/Thien Vuong)

Over 10.4 million gifts totalling more than VND 5.5 trillion (US$239 million) were granted to policy beneficiaries and workers on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival 2021, reported by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) on February 17. Of the figure, VND543 billion was from the State budget, over VND3.37 trillion from local budget and the remainder from the Vietnam Father Front (VFF) chapters at all levels, funds for the poor and other sources.

Over 1 million people who rendered service to the nation received gifts from the State President at a cost of more than VND538 billion. Localities also offered monthly allowances to policy beneficiaries and paid tribute to martyrs.

The MoLISA also worked with the Finance Ministry and the Government Office to propose to the Prime Minister the provision of over 9,000 tonnes of rice for more than 605,000 people in the provinces of Nghe An, Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan, Binh Dinh, Ha Giang, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Kon Tum, Binh Phuoc, Dak Nong and Gia Lai.

Vietnam to receive 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021

Vietnam is expected to secure 60 million doses in 2021 as the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative and AstraZeneca have committed 30 million doses each to the country, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said on February 19. Up to 150 million doses are needed to ensure vaccination for all Vietnamese people, he stated during a virtual meeting with localities on February 19 to discuss COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the coming time.

Negotiations are underway with global multilateral units such as COVAX or AstraZeneca to ship COVID-19 vaccine home as fast as possible, the minister affirmed. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has promptly worked with organisations and vaccine developers in an endeavour to purchase vaccine in the shortest time possible.

Procedures for vaccine procurement, import and utilisation will be carried out in an urgent manner in line with the regulations and recommendations of the World Health Organisation and manufacturers.

Vietnam among top three leading nations in renewable energy shift in Asia Pacific

Sao Mai solar power plant in An Giang province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is among top three nations leading the shift to renewable energy in Asia Pacific, according to the latest research from IHS Markit. Reporting on the IHS Markit’s Renewable Additions Index, the site energyvoice.com said the renewable power development pipeline has soared across the region.

According to the index, Australia leads the index with 89% of capacity under construction being either wind, solar or biomass power, followed by Japan. The third place in the region is taken by Vietnam, which leads emerging markets, as the country promoted feed-in tariffs to attract investment in solar and wind power.

Vietnamese photographer wins top prize at int’l contest in India

Vietnamese photographer Vu Manh Cuong has been awarded the gold prize at the Shadow 4th International Salon 2021 in India, for his photo titled “Van Nui 5”. The Shadow 4th International Salon 2021 was organised by Worlds of Shadow (WOS) under the sponsorship of the Federation of Indian Photography (FIP) and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).

This year’s contest, which featured four topics: Open Monochrome, Open Colour, Nature and Travel, received a large number of submissions from photographers globally, including countries such as France, Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey, the UK, India, China and Vietnam. Cuong’s photo, featuring the beauty of Vietnamese terraced fields, claimed the FIP Gold in the competition’s Travel category.

Vietnamese photographer wins gold prize at TIFA

The photo named “The Children Dancing With Gong” by Khanh Phan. (Photo: www.tokyofotoawards.jp)

Khanh Phan, a female Vietnamese photographer, has won two high prizes, including a gold prize at the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) in 2020. Khanh Phan won gold prize in the People / Culture category for her work “The Children Dancing With Gong”, and silver prize in the Advertising/Travel/Tourism category with her work “Drying Fish”.

The piece “The Children Dancing With Gong” was taken on December 2, 2018 at a festival of the Jrai ethnic minority in Gia Lai province, while the work “Drying Fish” was taken on July 26, 2020 at the Long Hai fish market, in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

The TIFA is a prestigious international photo contest. TIFA 2020 included nine categories of advertising, architecture, books, editorials, events, fine art, nature, people and science. Each category is subdivided into several different streams, for example, the “people” category has seven elements including children, culture, family, lifestyle, portrait, self-portrait, and wedding.