Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said, “Amid global complications, regional instability, and a competition for power among big countries, Vietnam has maintained and promoted its relations with all countries, especially big countries, important countries, and neighbor countries. We have deepened comprehensive, strategic partnerships and expanded relations with the rest of the world.” 

Vietnam’s socio-economy in 2019 and 2020 has had positive results, proving its success regardless of regional and global challenges. The national economic growth reached 7.02% last year.

The IMF listed Vietnam in the top 20 growth engines of the world in 2019. Vietnam has been an important chain in the global economic network with the signing of many free trade agreements, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said, “The EVFTA and EVIPA will create an important foundation and raise Vietnam’s international status as a big and responsible contributor to globalization, free trade, and trade facilitation.”

According to the World Economic Forum, Vietnam’s Global Competitiveness Index jumped 10 places against 2018 to rank 67^th among 141 countries and territories. Vietnam ranks 8^th in the world’s leading countries to invest in, up 15 places against 2018. With these achievements, Vietnam has become one of the economies with the highest growth in the region.

After going through two wars, Vietnam impressed international friends with its strong aspiration for peace. Vietnam has now become a country of peace.

For the second time, Vietnam was elected a non-permanent member to the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure with the highest vote ever in the UN’s voting history.

192 out of 193 votes – the record high number of votes in the UN’s 75-year history – is an acknowledgment of Vietnam’s international contribution and prestige.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “Vietnam is ready to contribute to the common cause. Other countries can see Vietnam’s role, prestige, ability and responsibility.”

Former Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said, “Vietnam’s stature has changed drastically. We have undergone years of renovation and integration and have gained increasing international status. We realized millennium development goals and contributed to regional and global peace. Our contributions have been internationally acknowledged.”

Vietnam is ASEAN Chair in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously hit countries around the world and directly affected ASEAN’s plans and programs. Once again, Vietnam has proved its responsive ability to fight the epidemic. ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said, “Vietnam has demonstrated strong leadership in regional collective response to COVID-19. Vietnam chairmanship team of building acquisitive and responsive ASEAN is very much relevant given the situation we find ourselves in. ASEAN has come together and responded quickly to the pandemic. ASEAN’s strong response is an enlarged part of the Vietnam strong leadership and encouraging our continued dialogue and collaboration.”

With its initial achievements in fighting COVID-19, Vietnam has been praised internationally for its effective response to the epidemic.

Proud of Vietnam

1945 Autumn  has entered Vietnam’s history as the most glorious historical milestone. Over the last 75 years, Vietnam has obtained significant achievements. Vietnam has never before had such a good future, prestige, and status like today. Vietnam is moving forward with extensive international integration and growing international status. Vietnam is not just a vanguard in the national liberation movement but also a role model for renovation, development, peace, progress, and prosperity.

In the past, Vietnam impressed international friends with its strong aspiration for peace, at present, the world is seeing Vietnam growing stronger and becoming a bright spot for economic growth in the region.

Ousmane Dione, former World Bank Country Director in Vietnam, said, “Vietnam’s poverty is today below 10% and extreme poverty has fallen to less than 3% from international standard. This reflects how much this country has successfully done in terms of poverty reduction.”

From a poor country with backward economic and technical infrastructure and low development level, Vietnam has grown to a developing, middle-income country.

Thomas Rath, Director of the International Fund for Agriculture Development, said, “The role of agriculture in Vietnam has been enormous. Total amount has increased from 5 billion USD to over 35 billion USD. Agriculture has been a powerhouse and as a representative of the UN International Fund for Agriculture Development, I’m extremely proud of the efforts to have strong partnership with the government of Vietnam. Vietnam will be prospering at a very high level. It’s already a star model and will be an even star model globally in terms of rural development and overall development.”

Renewal and international integration have gradually made Vietnam an indispensable part of the region and the world. Vietnam has now become an important partner of many countries, including major powers.

Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma said, “As a close partner of India with multifaceted political, economic and security cooperation and as a key link in India’s engagement with ASEAN, Vietnam is clearly an indispensable partner in our Indo-Pacific Vision, based on our shared values and interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity of our region.”

The US, Vietnam’s former foe, now considers Vietnam a key partner in Southeast Asia. Both countries have found a common voice in bilateral cooperation and multilateral issues.

US Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said, “I'm so optimistic in Vietnamese young people, optimistic in Vietnam's future economic development. And I'm optimistic because I've seen what a strong, prosperous and independent Vietnam can do as a leader in the region. We think Vietnam is a tremendous partner and we'll continue to make important contributions to the region and the world.”

Vietnam, from an unknown country, has won the trust of foreign friends, has been elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council twice, and has participated in discussions and making decisions related to international peace and security.

Firm belief in the selected path

Vietnam’s great achievements to date began with the 1945 August Revolution, which marked a turning point in its national history and created a premise for further development.

In the 75 years since Vietnam declared independence and the 35 years of national renewal, Vietnam has persisted in reforms, seized opportunities, overcome challenges, and promoted patriotism and national resilience to become a modern, industrialized nation by 2045, when Vietnam will celebrate its 100th founding anniversary.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong said, “The domestic and international situation creates opportunities, advantages, and challenges that will require the Party, people, and army to do their utmost to fulfill the tasks set for this year.”

“We should also exert our maximum effort to achieve socio-economic development and macro-economic stabilization, strengthen the implementation of strategic breakthroughs and economic restructuring combined with growth model reform, while ensuring social security, improving people’s living standard, and upholding independence, sovereignty, peace, and stability for national development,” Mr. Trong added.

The revolution in the autumn of 1945 paved the way for Vietnam to advance without pause on its chosen path.