At the closing session of the 8th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee (Photo: VOV)

Toward comprehensiveness, universality, and sustainability

The new resolution, issued at the 8^th plenum of the 13^th party Central Committee, focuses on reforming and improving social policies to meet the requirements of national construction and defense until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Continuing the ideas of the Resolution of the 5th plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee, the new resolution supplements, develops, and clarifies the view of social affairs in the new context with new tasks and requirements.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said: "Social policies are policies of the people and for people, showcasing the benevolent nature of our regime. Developing and implementing social policies must always be people-centered, and take investment in development to mean investment in social policies. Social policies must be aimed at all people and ensure comprehensiveness, justice, modernity, inclusiveness, and sustainability. More attention should be paid to ensuring social security as well as flexibility and responsiveness to possible bad situations occurring on a large scale, protecting the entire population, and leaving no one behind."

At its 8^th plenum, the Party Central Committee made clear that social policies need to be placed under the overall management of sustainable social development, harmonizing social relations, managing social stratification, and promptly and effectively handling risks, and ensuring social order and safety. The Committee stressed the need to reform and improve social policies, saying it’s an important strategic task that must be placed under the Party’s direct and comprehensive leadership, the State’s strict and effective management, and regular supervision by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, and receive the consensus and engagement of people and businesses.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the closing session of the 8th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee (Photo: VOV)

Further promoting Vietnam’s social security achievements

The Party Central Committee’s adoption of the new resolution marks an important milestone, reflecting the Vietnamese Party and State’s attention to social policies to ensure rapid, sustainable national development in the coming time.

Professor Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan, Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, said: "Social development, human development, constantly improving the material and spiritual life of the people are always the core goals of Vietnam throughout the national development process. During the national renewal period, along with economic development efforts, the Vietnamese Party and State have paid special attention to social policies with the motto ‘Ensuring economic growth goes hand in hand with social progress and justice in designing and implementing policies in order to bring more happiness to the people".   

The new resolution will serve as a foundation for the Party and people to further promote Vietnam’s achievements in social protection gained over the past 10 years of implementing Resolution 5 on social security policy. Last year Vietnam's per capita income reached 3,900 USD, 39 times higher than in 1990. Its human development index (HDI) increased from 0.48 in 1990 to 0.7 in 2021, and Vietnam rose two places in the global rankings to 115^th out of 191 countries. Vietnam’s poverty rate has fallen from 60% in 1990 to 2.23%. Social insurance policy has been the main pillar in the social security system, with more than 17.5 million participants or more than 38% of the working-age population. Other social assistance policies have covered another 3.5% of the population. 100% of social protection beneficiaries receive regular social assistance.

Vietnam’s achievements in social protection have been recognized internationally and will be the sustainable foundation for Vietnam to successfully implement the Resolution of the 8^th Plenum of the 13^th Party Central Committee.