Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh presents the report at the meeting (internet)

Resolutely and synchronously implementing set solutions

In that context, under the leadership of the Party, the Politburo and the Party Secretariat with the involvement of the whole political system; support and supervision of the National Assembly; and sharing, support and active participation of people from all walks of life and the business community, the Government and the Prime Minister led and directed the resolute, flexible, innovative and effective implementation of set tasks in line with the situation.

Following the Resolutions and conclusions of the Party and National Assembly, from the beginning of the year, the Government identified the theme of 2021 as: “Solidarity, discipline, innovation, creativeness, aspiration and development” as well as groups of key solutions and specific missions for each ministry, sector and locality.

The Government set six key viewpoints and orientations, stressing the need to build the Government and administrative agencies at all levels with high solidarity, unity, integrity and democracy in parallel with strengthening discipline; and effectively and practically acting with people and businesses being the centre; and promoting Vietnamese cultural and human values to become the most important resource and driving force for socio-economic development.

The Government built and submitted the five-year development plans on socio-economy, finance, budget and public investment during the 2021-2025 period to the 15th National Assembly and issued the Action Programme of the Government during the 2021-2025 term; and built and submitted to the National Assembly for approval capital sources for three national target programmes.

Together with directing the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the Government and the Prime Minister directed to enhance the building and completion of related institutions; remove obstacles and difficulties and improve the business and investment environment; speed up administrative reforms and digital transformation; promote people’s rights to mastery; strengthen discipline and prevent corruption and wastefulness; keep political stability and enhance national defence and security; and promote diplomatic activities and international integration.

 Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. (internet)

One of six countries with the highest vaccine coverage rate

Ministries, sectors, localities and Steering Committees for COVID-19 Prevention and Control at all levels effectively and resolutely implemented pandemic prevention and control measures following guidance from the Government and the Prime Minister.

Pandemic prevention and control solutions are inherited and continuously adjusted in line with real conditions. 

As a result, Viet Nam is among countries with the highest vaccine coverage, ranking 6th among nations around the world. 

By the end of 2021, 99.6 per cent of those 18 and over received at least one shot of vaccine, with 90.9 per cent fully inoculated. Vaccine coverage among children from 12 to 17 is 85.6 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively. Work is underway to purchase vaccines for children from 5 to 11 years old.  

The Government studied, issued and implemented Resolution No 128/NQ-CP to shift to flexible and save adaptation and effective control of COVID-19 which proved effective and gained support from people. Many international organisations and experts assessed it as an important policy, creating the foundation for economic recovery and development in the fourth quarter of 2021 and for 2022.

Viet Nam among top 20 countries with biggest trade scale

The Government and the Prime Minister directed relevant ministries and agencies to closely watch the global and regional situation as well as forecast and build development scenarios in order to set and implement proper measures and tasks to serve both short- and long-term targets. Seven out of 12 set targets for the whole year were achieved.

Macro-economy was maintained; inflation was kept under control; the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth rate for the whole year was 1.84 per cent; and GDP increased 2.58 per cent.

Revenue of the State budget surpassed VND1.56 quadrillion (US$67.8 billion), or 16.4 per cent higher than forecast. With a record $668.5 billion in export-import value, Viet Nam’s trade surplus was estimated at $4 billion, making it one of the 20 countries with the biggest trade scale in the world.

The country saw a 9.2 per cent rise in FDI inflows, demonstrating foreign investors' confidence in Viet Nam's business and investment environment.

Completing institutions and improving law enforcement efficiency

The Government focused on building institutions and closely coordinated with National Assembly agencies to review, amend and supplement mechanisms, policies and regulations to meet real demand in pandemic prevention and control and removing obstacles for production and business activities for socio-economic recovery and development.

The Government issued Resolution No 86/NQ-CP on urgent measures on COVID-19 prevention and control; carried out support policies for businesses, cooperatives and household businesses; supported employees and employers from the Unemployment Insurance Fund; and implemented policies to extend, exempt or reduce a number of taxes, fees and land lease charges to help tackle difficulties for production and business.

Paying attention to cultural and social development and ensuring social security

Amid the pandemic that has seriously affected people’s lives, the Government issued and implemented Resolution No 68/NQ-CP and Resolution No 116/NQ-CP, spending nearly VND71.5 trillion to assist 742,000 employers and 42.8 million employees; and allocating over 158,000 tonnes of rice for affected people.

Following the Party Central Committee’s Conclusion, the Government studied, issued and implemented Resolution No 128/NQ-CP; and the shifting to safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of COVID-19 proved effective (internet)

Activities aimed at paying gratitude to and caring for those who rendered services to the nation, the poor and social welfare beneficiaries were strengthened and effectively carried out.

Protection and healthcare tasks for people continued to be promoted; and science and technology research and application, innovation and digital transformation activities were enhanced in all fields.

Making progress in climate change adaptation and environmental protection

The Government issued the national strategy on green growth during the 2021-2030 period with a vision towards 2050, with the aim of promoting the restructuring of the economy in connection with renewing the growth model, thus contributing to economic recovery towards the development of the circular economy, green economy, digital economy and sustainable development; and implemented initiatives in line with the country’s commitment at the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26).

The Government implemented measures to proactively prevent environmental pollution and protect and recover the environment and ecosystems; managed and used water resources sustainably; and approved the National Strategy on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control by 2030 with a vision towards 2050.

Speeding up administrative reform and improving investment environment

In 2021, as many as 1,101 business regulations were cut or simplified.

Ministries, agencies and localities at all levels resolutely and effectively implemented the Resolution on improving the business environment and competitiveness.

The Government continued to issue more than 20 legal documents to help tackle difficulties and support businesses and people.

The Government and the Prime Minister drastically directed the development of e-Government towards a digital Government.

Diplomacy and international integration

Diplomacy and international integration tasks were carried out synchronously, comprehensively and flexibly in line with real situations, particularly vaccine diplomacy; contributing to maintaining peace and stability and to improving the prestige and position of Viet Nam in the international arena.

Viet Nam successfully completed its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with many initiatives that were highly welcomed by the international community.

Government continues to innovate and strive in 2022

The year 2022 has an important meaning, creating a foundation for the implementation of targets set by the five-year plan 2021-2025.

The Government asked ministries, sectors and localities to focus on implementing directions and guidelines and follow the policy of safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of COVID-19, focusing on prioritising resources to effectively carry out the pandemic prevention and control programme and the socio-economic recovery and development programme./.