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Determination to successfully implement the "dual goals"

The directive clearly states, facing the major difficulties and challenges of 2020, especially the serious impacts and effects on many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and historic natural disasters, storms and floods in the Central region. However, with high determination and great efforts of the entire political system, the business community and the people, our country has achieved significant and comprehensive results in all fields, successfully implementing the "dual goals" of both drastically preventing and controlling the epidemic and focusing on socio-economic recovery and development; ensuring social security and improving people's lives. In particular, the 13th National Party Congress was a great success, contributing to reinforcing the confidence, courage and pride of our country in the new stage of development.

In order to well prepare the conditions to serve the people to welcome the Lunar New Year of 2021 (the year of the Ox), all levels and sectors have focused on seriously implementing Directive No. 48-CT/TW dated December 9, 2020 of the Secretariat and Directive No. 44/CT-TTg dated December 21, 2020 of the PM. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic's reappearance in the community from the end of January 2021 and its rapid spread on a large scale due to a new variation of the virus in some localities and with the spirit of "fighting against the epidemic like an enemy”, all levels, branches, agencies, units, functional forces, especially the health sector and localities have actively implemented the anti-epidemic measures in a timely, drastic, synchronous, strong, creative and effective manner; to be determined to quickly prevent the epidemic from spreading and to early stamp out the epidemic, considering this the most important political task of all levels, sectors and the political system. Up to now, the COVID-19 cases in most localities have been quickly detected, localized and basically controlled, except for Hai Duong province, where many more new cases have been detected.

During Tet holiday, thanks to the active efforts of the entire political system in the preparation and numerous synchronous measures deployed to prevent and combat the COVID-19 epidemic, the people of the country were able to enjoy Tet in a joyful and safe atmosphere. All levels, sectors, unions, organizations, and business communities have well performed the tasks of serving and taking care of Tet for the people according to under the Directive of the Secretariat, the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister. Policies for war invalids, martyrs' families, people with meritorious services to the Revolution, poor households, people in areas damaged by natural disasters or epidemics, remote, disadvantaged, border areas, islands, etc. have been timely implemented so that everyone can enjoy the spring and celebrate Tet. Many organizations, businesses and individuals have shown noble actions, joined hands, and helped the people in difficult circumstances to prepare for Tet. The people's health care is also concerned and well implemented. During Tet, the commodity market is plentiful with stable price, fully supplying food needs and serving the people to enjoy Tet. Salaries and bonuses for employees are basically and promptly guaranteed in accordance with regulations. Activities of information and propaganda about the country's achievements and activities of the Party and Spring celebration have been strengthened in line with the epidemic situation.

The PM acknowledged, highly appreciated and praised the determination and efforts of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, ministries, agencies, localities, and functional forces who have successfully implemented the tasks during the Tet holiday, especially the team of doctors, medical staff, the police, the military, volunteers and localities who have been proactive and decisive to timely implement Directive No. 05/CT-TTg dated January 28, 2021 of the Prime Minister, the Government's direction in Resolution No. 19/NQ-CP dated February 10, 2021 on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control; the localities were highly responsible to suspend a number of crowded activities (such as festivals, fireworks, etc.), as well as arranged staff and forces to be standing and be available to respond to any epidemic situation; The armed force cadres and soldiers have guarded and firmly defended the sovereignty of borders and islands day and night, maintained security and social safety, and protected the peacefulness for the people.

In addition, during the Tet holiday, there were a great number of traffic accidents, also the phenomenon of illegally storing and burning firecrackers or fireworks in some localities; illegal entry remained complicated; the number of new COVID-19 infections has increased; the purchasing power of goods witnessed a low increase, the volume of passenger transport sharply decreased compared to the same period last year. Ministries, branches and localities need to continue to review, learn from experience, reorganize and continue to have timely and effective solutions, especially in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic.

In order to strive to successfully and comprehensively implement the goals and tasks of socio-economic development in 2021 set out in the Conclusion of the Central Government, Resolutions of the National Assembly, the Government, the PM requested ministries, agencies and localities strictly grasp and focus on deploying the tasks right from the first working day after Tet holiday.

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Thoroughly stamping out outbreaks in the shortest time

Specifically, ministries, branches and localities shall thoroughly grasp and steadfastly implement the "dual goals", absolutely not taking the epidemic unseriously. To proactively monitor and follow the situation, prepare scenarios, situations and solutions to effectively respond to the epidemic developments; to continue to strictly implement the PM's instructions in Directive No. 05/CT-TTg dated January 28, 2021; At the same time, to strongly promote production and business activities in all fields and areas, creating an atmosphere of excitement right from the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the Party Congress at all levels.

The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health, ministries, agencies and localities shall focus on the zoning of outbreaks and tracing as quickly as possible, identification of suspected cases and extensive testing; to strictly manage the isolation and blockade areas, prevent cross-contamination; to promptly organize social distancing when new cases are detected with appropriate scope; to boost medical declaration at accommodation establishments; to strictly follow the 5K message, especially the mandatory wearing of masks in public; to thoroughly stamp out the epidemic in the shortest time.

The Ministry of Health shall coordinate with agencies and localities in studying a new epidemic prevention and control approach suitable to the COVID-19 epidemic in the country and in the world; urgently implementing the PM's instructions on importing foreign COVID-19 vaccines, promoting the research and production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country; to soon promulgate the procedure for vaccine import and vaccination of COVID-19.

Promoting economic growth

Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Government-attached agencies, People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall continue to consistently target macroeconomic stability, control inflation, and ensure economic growth, at the same time promote economic growth and more drastically reform administrative procedures and investment and business environment.

In which, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Industry and Trade, the State Bank of Vietnam and relevant agencies, according to their functions and tasks, are assigned to focus on research and harmonious and effective handling of major national development balances for the implementation of the socio-economic development plans for 2021 and the 5 years of 2021 - 2025, the 10-year socio-economic development strategy of 2021-2030, in which attention is paid to opening up, reforming, promoting socio-economic development associated with consolidating and enhancing the leadership of the Party; to rapidly develop the economy in association with progress, social justice and environmental protection; to promote both internal and external forces; to both determine short-term goals and take into account long-term and sustainable goals; to secure national financial resources and other macro balances.

The State Bank of Vietnam shall chair and coordinate with concerned agencies in, continuing to maintain the stability of the monetary market, foreign currency market, and gold market; regulate interest rates and credit in line with macro balance, inflation, market developments, supporting credit promotion to key sectors and fields, creating momentum for economic recovery in the context of the new developments of COVID-19; promote digital transformation in banking operations and non-cash payments and develop new banking services and products, enhancing accessibility to financial services.

Resolving production difficulties

Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs and the State Bank of Vietnam shall evaluate the results of implementing existing policies to support businesses, people and workers facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 epidemic; promptly propose adjustments or issue new support policies and recommend allocating funds for effective and feasible implementation.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, concerned ministries, agencies and localities shall focus on immediately solving difficulties faced by investment, production and business projects, especially in major economic centers of the country; solutions and tasks to promote disbursement of public investment capital in general and ODA projects in particular in the Government's resolutions; quickly deploy the allocation and assignment of plans for public investment capital, ensuring the quality and progress of disbursement of projects right from the beginning of the year.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, concerned ministries, agencies and localities shall synchronously implement measures to develop the domestic market and stimulate reasonable consumption demand; support businesses to connect markets and promote exports, effectively take advantage of and exploit free trade agreements, proactively responding to foreign trade defense lawsuits.

Enhance the improvement of the business investment environment, reduce costs, improve the competitiveness of businesses, at the same time attract investment and strongly promote industries and services to create a driving force to promote economic growth. Issue the Plan to reduce and simplify regulations related to business activities in 2021 and organize the implementation; strengthen dialogues, consultations, and receive comments from organizations, associations and enterprises about the inappropriate regulations, which are barriers that cause difficulties for production and business activities, to promptly make corrections or propose amendments to competent agencies to resolve difficulties and problems for businesses and people.

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Effectively implementing the initiative to plant one billion new trees

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall continue to closely monitor the weather situation, promptly direct and guide localities in implementing agricultural production plans, which focus on: cultivating spring rice in the North that ensures the seasonal framework; closely monitoring epidemics on plants and animals, especially African swine fever and avian influenza to actively take measures to prevent, combat and protect production; taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to step up forest planting, protection and development, effectively implementing the initiative to plant one billion new trees and organizing planting activities in localities right after the Lunar New Year; ensuring adequate supply of irrigation water for agricultural production; continuing to strengthen the prevention and control of natural disasters, especially droughts, saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta and thunderstorms, hailing, etc.

The localities shall deploy winter-spring crop production under the direction and guidance of the seasonal framework of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; to continue overcoming consequences of natural disasters, storms and floods, ensuring that people have a stable place to live before the coming flood and storm season.

Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant agencies shall focus on building national and regional planning, in which to soon complete the National Land Use Plan, National Marine Space Plan, the Mekong River Delta Plan, national sector plans and specialized technical planning in accordance with regulations of law on planning, promptly handling problems arising in the process of implementing the plans and relevant law provisions.

Ministries and ministerial-level agencies, according to their assigned tasks, shall promptly submit documents detailing the implementation of new laws passed by the National Assembly to the Government and the PM, including the Law on Environmental Protection (amending), the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on natural disaster prevention and control and the Law on Dikes, etc.; review, study and propose appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote socio-economic development.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall focus on directing the promotion of industrial production right after the Tet holiday; urgently speed up the completion of large-scale energy and industrial projects and constructions; ensure sufficient electricity supply for the economy; coordinate with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, concerned agencies and localities to have specific and effective solutions to support and facilitate the circulation, import, export and consumption of goods, especially raw materials for production and agricultural products in localities with the occurrence of COVID-19 outbreaks, without letting congestion in the forwarding and transportation stages affect production and business activities of the business and people; coordinate with the Ministry of Health to ensure the adequate supply of materials and equipment for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control; direct the inspection and supervision of the implementation of measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic at production establishments, factories, markets, supermarkets, shopping malls, etc.

The Ministry of Transport shall direct the arrangement of sufficient means to serve travel demand after Tet; strengthen inspection and supervision of the strict observance of legal regulations on ensuring traffic order and safety and requirements for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control; accelerate the progress of key projects, especially the North-South expressway project in the East and new projects started in late 2020 and early 2021; urgently operate and exploit new projects to be put into use, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Minimizing or cancelling festival activities

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and localities shall strengthen the management of cultural, sport, tourism and Spring Festival activities associated with COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control; minimize or cancel festivities that gather crowds in order to minimize the spread of the epidemic.

The Ministry of Education and Training shall chair and coordinate with the Ministry of Health and concerned agencies in, guiding localities and educational and training institutions on the return of pupils and students at the schools that are associated with the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control and switching to online learning format to ensure the curriculum.

The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall proactively coordinate with localities to promptly take appropriate measures to limit the shortage of labor after the Tet holiday, especially in industrial parks and export processing zones.

The Ministry of Public Security shall continue to fight and suppress all kinds of crimes, law violations and social evils. Strengthen the work of ensuring traffic order and safety, resolutely and strictly handle violations of alcohol concentration and drug use while controlling vehicles or excessive speeding; actively participate in prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. Actively prevent fire and explosion, especially at festivals, production, business establishments, residential areas, etc./.