Substantial progress made over the past year has created the driving force for Vietnam to advance further in 2012. On the occasion of the new lunar year, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong granted an exclusive interview to Radio the Voice of Vietnam in which he reviewed Vietnam’s achievements in 2011 and the role of the Communist Party of Vietnam.  Mr. Trong said: “2011 was the first year to implement the 11^th National Party Congress’ resolution including the platform for national construction during the transitional period towards socialism, the political report and the socio-economic strategy until 2020. Other important tasks are to develop work plans and regulations in Party organizations at all levels and carry out some major policies adopted at the Party Congress.”

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong

Party leader Trong said Vietnam successfully organized elections to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels last year. The country focused on inflation control, macro-economic stabilization and social welfare in the face of the global economic downturn, safely repatriated tens of thousands of guest workers and settled emerging issues related to the East Sea. Vietnam gained encouraging results in safeguarding national independence and sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability. On the threshold of the 82^nd anniversary of the Party on February 3, Mr. Trong said:  “The Party has made extensive contributions to the Vietnamese revolution over the past 82 years, leading the people from one victory to another. Since  the inception of the Party, Vietnam has changed drastically, from an unknown country in the world to an independent and free nation. Our people have risen from slavery to become masters of their country. Vietnam has never been stronger.  Our potential and position are now totally different from the past”.