Communist Review - Looking back on nearly 10 years of implementing the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2011-2020, despite a number of shortcomings and challenges, the Communists Party of Viet Nam and its people, with great efforts and high determination, have achieved many important outcomes, highlighting the achievements of 35 years of renovation with outstanding progress in various fields. Viet Nam has never had such fortune, potential, international position and prestige as it does today. Reviewing the Strategy implementation and drawing valuable lessons serve as the basis for the formulation of the National Development Strategy to 2030 with a vision to 2045, of which the aim is to rise strongly, take all opportunities and narrow the development gap with other countries in the region and the world.

I

The 11^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam approved the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2011-2020, in which the viewpoint of rapid and sustainable development is targeted, economic growth is harmonized with cultural development, social progress and justice is realized, people's quality of life is constantly improved, environmental protection and improvement are focused with attention paid to proactively responding to climate change. The strategy also concentrates on implementing three strategic breakthroughs and key orientations in socio-economic development, restructuring the economy, renovating growth models and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management in all fields.

During the 10-year implementation, it can be observed that the world and the region have witnessed more volatile and complicated developments than predicted by the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The world economy has recovered slowly after the 2007 – 2008 global financial crisis and economic recession; risks in the international financial and monetary markets have increased; trade protectionism and strategic competition among major countries and partners have become increasingly fierce. Meanwhile, science and technology has developed rapidly along with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which has exerted a profound impact on many countries worldwide. Especially, starting from the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak has seriously affected all fields on a global scale, leading to the most severe economic recession since the great crisis of 1929-1933, in which many are major partners of Viet Nam.

In such context and in the face of domestic limitations and difficulties, the Party and State of Viet Nam have based their prompt and effective leadership, direction and administration on the practical situation and requirements, with high determination striving to achieve the highest results of the set goals and tasks. During the period, under the wise and firm leadership of the Party, the effective management of the State, the drastic direction and administration of the Government, all levels and branches from central to local, the whole people and army have joined hands, made outstanding efforts to overcome challenges, synchronously and effectively implemented all set goals and tasks, and enjoyed numerous important and comprehensive achievements in most fields. Particularly, since the beginning of 2020, Viet Nam has successfully accomplished its "dual goals": both drastically fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the spirit of "fighting the pandemic like fighting the enemy" and focusing on socio-economic recovery and development, ensuring social security and people's life. These achievements are attributed to the vigorous fundamental socio-economic factors which were focused during the implementation of the Strategy, especially in the 2016-2020 Term.

The macro-economy has been stabilized; inflation has been controlled at a low level; economic growth has been achieved; and growth quality and major balances of the economy have been improved. Despite being greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the period’s GDP growth is expected to reach 5.9% per year, bringing Viet Nam to the list of countries of high economic growth in the region and the world; in which the period 2011 - 2015 witnessed an annual average growth of 5.9%; the 2016 - 2019 period underwent a 6.8% growth; and by 2020 it is estimated to reach between 2% and 3%. GDP per capita has increased from 1,331 USD in 2010 to about 2,750 USD in 2020. Not only have the quantity and quality of growth been enhanced, labor productivity has also been boosted markedly. The contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) has reached some 39%, exceeding the set target (35%); labor productivity in the period 2016 - 2020 increased by 5.8% yearly. In addition, the macro economy has been stabilized with the consumer price index (CPI) falling from 18.6% in 2011 to less than 4% in the period 2016 - 2020. Viet Nam’s budget balance and those in trade, investment, energy, and food security continues to be guaranteed and strengthened. Total export and import turnovers have increased sharply; the balance of trade and the balance of international payments have been improved significantly; foreign exchange reserves have reached the highest level ever. Mobilization of resources for development investment is promoted with investment quality and efficiency being dramatically enhanced. The total social development investment capital has increased by 10.6% per year on average with numberous large-scale, high-tech foreign direct investment projects.

Economic restructuring together with growth model innovation has also been the focus of the strategy, with a wide range of positive results being recorded. Credit institution restructuring in association with bad debt settlement has been implemented synchronously and effectively, ensuring stability and safety for the whole financial system. State-owned enterprise restructuring has been intensified with further focus laid on equitization, divestment and operational efficiency improvement. As a result, the number of state-owned enterprises fell, operating mainly in key industries and fields. The non-state economic sector has achieved impressive growth rate, making an important contribution to mobilizing social resources, transforming the economic structure, creating jobs and increasing incomes for workers. The GDP share of agriculture has decreased from 18.9% in 2010 to 14.8% in 2020. More importance has been attached to agricultural development towards large, modern, high-value-added and sustainable commodity production, with more production links along the value chain being built and more brands of key agricultural products being recognized. A large number of high-tech agricultural production and food processing factories have been put into operation. Cooperative and agricultural economy has developed rapidly with about 15,000 effective agricultural cooperatives and nearly 12,000 enterprises directly engaged in agricultural production. The share of processing, manufacturing and high technology application in industries and fields has grown high; the proportion of processed product exports in the total export value of goods has risen from 65% in 2011 to 85% in 2020. Industries and service sectors applying high technology and being gradually modernized include information technology, communication, e-commerce, finance, banking, insurance, securities, healthcare, aviation... The tourism industry has made remarkable progress and achieved notable achievements: the international visitor number increased from 5 million in 2010 to 18 million in 2019.

Efforts and determination have targeted at generating strategic breakthroughs; consequently, various outcomes and contributions have been made to promoting socio-economic development. The socialist-oriented market economy has been gradually improved in the direction of modernity and integration, aiming to create an equal, transparent and favorable competitive environment. A fairly complete economic legal system has been formed, ensuring consistency and transparency as well as creating a legal basis for businesses of all forms of ownership to operate. Human resource, especially high-quality human resources, has developed with more connection with market demand; the rate of trained laborers has increased from 40% in 2010 to about 64.5% in 2020. Science - technology have been applied widely in a variety of fields; the national innovation startup ecosystem has thriven; Viet Nam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has constantly improved, ranking 42 out of 131 countries and territories as of 2020, leading the group of 29 middle-income economies. The infrastructure capacity in transportation, energy, information technology, telecommunications, irrigation, commerce etc has been significantly bettered. Many projects of overwhelming influence and strategic importance in transportation and energy have been invested, completed, put into operation. Initially, an information superhighway, a large database information system has been formed. Furthermore, numerous social infrastructure projects have been invested, in which 766 hospitals of all levels, 114 regional general clinics, over 2000 communal health centers and several central hospitals have been built and upgraded, and approximately 1,200 remote medical facilities have been connected nationwide.

Regional economy, marine economy, urban and new rural area construction have experienced significant changes, with local potentials and advantages being further exploited. Key economic regions and metropolitan cities have continue to promote their leading role in socio-economic development, attracting enormous investment capital and making great contributions to economic growth, exports, and state budget. The potentials and advantages of the marine economy have been promoted in the spirit of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW dated October 22, 2018 of the 8^th Plenum of the 12^th Party Central Committee on the strategy for the sustainable development of Viet Nam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. The urban system has developed rapidly in number, expanded in scale, gradually formed an urban network, contributing to generating a driving force for economic growth; the urbanization rate has increased from 30.5% in 2010 to nearly 40% in 2020, exceeding the set target. New rural area construction has achieved significant results; rural socio-economic infrastructure has been enhanced notably; cultural institutions have been consolidated and brought into full play; the new rural area construction program was completed nearly 2 years ahead of schedule; it is expected that by the end of 2020, about 63% of communes will meet new rural standards, far exceeding the set target (50%).

Cultural development and Vietnamese people construction have recorded positive results with social security guaranteed and people’s material and spiritual life continuously improved. Viet Nam has well implemented policies towards people with merits, social welfare, job creation and sustainable poverty reduction; the proportion of people joining social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance has increased rapidly; and the proportion of poor households is forecast to fall to less than 3% by 2020. The fields of education and health have recorded various significant achievements including the promotion of online teaching and learning and of medical examination and treatment in the context of COVID-19. Many fine traditional cultural values ​​have been upheld and promoted. Particularly, in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of social moral values ​​have emerged and examples of good people and good deeds have been replicated. Such fields as ethnic affairs, religion, social welfare, sports and physical training promotion, and information and communication have also been focused. Fundamental infrastructure, especially in poor and ethnic areas, has been strengthened. Viet Nam’s Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously surged, making the country a member of the group with high average human development. Completing various Millennium Development Goals ahead schedule, Viet Nam is considered a bright spot in poverty reduction, health care and education, and continues to actively implement the national action plan for sustainable development under the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Natural resource management, environmental protection, response to climate change and natural disaster prevention and control have been paid further attention. Viet Nam has both bettered and effectively implemented mechanisms, policies and laws on natural resources and environment. Natural resources have gradually been put under strict control and exploited more efficiently, especially land and minerals. Environmental impact assessment, pollution and degradation prevention and control, and environmental quality improvement have made encouraging progress. Nature conservation, biodiversity, forest protection and development have drawn more attention. The capacity and quality of weather forecasting and disaster warning has been improved. The state budget and social resources have been mobilized and targeted at implementing solutions to prevent and combat natural disasters, storms, floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, climate change response, especially in vulnerable areas including the Northern mountainous region, the Central Coast, the Central Highlands and the Mekong River Delta.

Administrative reform has been promoted; state management effectiveness and efficiency has been improved. Also, greater focus has been laid on the consolidation of organizational structure and staff streamlining, together with administrative reform, of which, about 63% of business requirements and 68% of the specialized inspection goods list in period 2016 – 2020 have been simplified and lifted. The application of information technology in Party and State agencies has been intensified to promote the construction of e-Government, towards digital government and digital economy. More significantly, the national online public service portal has been put into operation. The investment and business environment has been improved in a more substantive and open manner, contributing to cost reduction, better facilitating and serving people and businesses. Viet Nam's position in the global business environment ranking has been dramatically improved, rising from the 88^th out of 183 countries and territories in 2010 to the 70^th out of 190 countries and territories in 2019. The work of inspection and examination, the settlement of complaints and denunciations, and the prevention of corruption and waste have been greatly promoted. In particular, a number of violations have been detected and handled, recovering a large amount of money and property for the State, contributing to strengthening people's confidence.

All levels and branches have well implemented the guideline on the close combination of socio-economic development with national defense and security insurance, foreign relations and international integration promotion. The policy also encourages the protection of the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; the maintenance of political stability, peaceful environment, social order and safety for national construction and development. The all-people national defense, all-people's national defense posture and people's security posture have been consolidated and strengthened; and the synergy of the armed forces has been enhanced with the defense and security industry developing in the direction of modernity and practicality. Together with the health sector and localities, the military and police forces have joined hands in preventing, controlling and combating the COVID-19 epidemic. Foreign affairs and international integration have been implemented proactively, comprehensively, synchronously and achieved numerous important results. Relations with partners have been expanded, deepened, become increasingly practical and effective, including 17 strategic partners and 13 comprehensive cooperation partners. Over the period, Viet Nam has signed and effectively implemented a range of free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Viet Nam - Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), European Union (EVFTA), making contributions to expanding and diversifying its markets and attracting resources for its development. Viet Nam has successfully held important positions at international and regional forums and organizations such as ASEAN Chair, Chairman of the Association of Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (AIPA), Committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.... The country has, at the same time, performed well the work of external information and citizen protection with active support and cooperation in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, Viet Nam's prestige and position in the international arena continues to be affirmed and enhanced.

II

In addition to the results achieved, it is acknowledged that in the process of implementing the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2011-2020 Viet Nam has drawn attention to several shortcomings and faced with a number of difficulties and challenges. The economic growth rate has not reached the set target due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the economy’s resilience has not been strengthened. What’s more, the quality of growth has been slowly improved, without its potential and development advantages being bought into play. The restructuring of a number of industries and fields has not been fully implemented; enterprises’ operational efficiency and readiness for integration have been substandard; the scale and capacity of collective economy and cooperatives have been limited. Additionally, the implementation of strategic breakthroughs has not been carried out promptly, while facilitating Viet Nam to basically become a modern industrialized country by 2020 has not yet achieved the set target. A number of mechanisms, policies and legal regulations have been still overlapping and unstable; law enforcement has not been strict at times. Administrative reform in some areas has not been substantive. Moreover, the quality of human resources, especially high-quality human resources, has not yet met development requirements. The domestic level of science and technology in general has remained way below that of leading countries in the region and the world. The capacity of scientific and technological application and innovation has been limited. Infrastructure has not yet facilitated the synchronization and modernity, causing some important projects to fall behind schedule. There has been a lack of appropriate mechanisms and policies to strongly develop regional economy and marine economy.

There have remained limitations in the implementation of cultural, social and human development goals. In places, the cultural environment has witnessed complicated developments, with negative manifestations and degradation in morality and lifestyle. The quality of medical services, especially at local level, has still been below standard. The results of multidimensional poverty reduction have not been stabilized with high risk of people falling back into poverty. Furthermore, the development gap between regions has remained huge; and the rate of poor and near-poor households in remote, isolated and ethnic minority areas has been high. Social vices have developed complicatedly in many localities. Also, there have been shortcomings in resource management, environmental protection and response to climate change; the exploitation of natural resources has been unsustainable and ineffective with environmental quality being deteriorated and air pollution increasing in big cities.

The effectiveness and efficiency of state management in some areas has been slowly improved. The arrangement and streamlining of institutional organization and staff have encountered a number of difficulties and obstacles. The quality and discipline of a number of cadres, civil servants and public employees have not yet met the requirements. The current mechanism of decentralization of socio-economic management has not worked appropriately, especially in terms of state budget, investment, management of natural resources, urban areas, public assets, etc. The autonomy mechanism in public institutions has not been implemented properly. Supervision, inspection and inspection activities have been overlapping; supervision and social criticism in the formulation and implementation of laws and policies have been ineffective with corruption and waste detected in some places.

The link between socio-economic development and national defense and security assurance has sometimes been inactive. Security and order in numerous fields and areas has not been stabilized, with complicated situations arising in grassroots areas being poorly handled. The number of serious traffic accidents, fires and explosions has been huge. The work of ensuring information safety and network security has been inadequate and ineffective. External relations, especial with important partners, have not yet been promoted, with interests not being fully exploited. The implementation of international agreements, commitments and FTAs has not been effective; the international integration capacity of enterprises has been improved, yet met requirements.

The aforementioned limitations and shortcomings have been attributed to both objective and subjective factors, in which subjective ones take up the most. The concretization of the guideline on building and bettering the socialist-oriented market economic institution has not been carried out timely to meet the requirements in the context of economic integration, globalization and fierce international competition. Shortcomings in mechanisms, policies and laws have not been adjusted in time. Respect for the law and discipline, discipline in many places has not been promoted. Cadre management and evaluation method has shown a number of inadequacies, whereas there has been a lack of appropriate and effective mechanism to promptly handle violations or task failures. The work of inspection, supervision in a number of agencies and units has not been implemented strictly. The leadership method of socio-economic management has been ineffective in many places and fields. The organization and implementation of mechanisms, policies and solutions in some fields have not been really synchronous and drastic. The coordination within and between levels, branches, and state management agencies has not been tight and efficient.

After the 10-year implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2011-2020, a number of important lessons can be drawn as follows:

Firstly, it is necessary to ensure a reasonable and harmonious relationship between growth and stability in socio-economic development. Growth on the basis of persistence in macro stability should be drastically promoted to overcome the risk of lagging behind. It is also vital to well address the relationship between rapid growth and sustainable development; between market economy and socialist orientation; between independence, self-reliance and international integration...

Secondly, it is imperative to attach importance to cultural, social and human development on par with economic development, and to focus on improving the people's quality of life. Education and training, science - technology and innovation must be considered as an important foundation and the main driving force for the country's development. In addition, it is significant to focus on promoting cultural values, intelligence and creativity of Vietnamese people. From the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is required to arouse the spirit of solidarity, compassion, self-reliance and self-resilience of the people and businesses, thereby ensuring social security, building and promoting the posture of “people's hearts and minds”, people's security, national defense and cultural values.

Thirdly, the national interests must be prioritized, in accordance with international practices and trends of the times. The work of leadership, management, direction and administration must adhere to the guidelines and policies of the Party, with bravery, intelligence, dynamism, creativity and political determination well demonstrated. It is also essential for legal institutions to be built fully and synchronously with new and practical thinking, and seriously and effectively implemented. National governance renovation, especially development management and social management, must be constantly carried out in the direction of modernity with more focus laid on reforming the organization of the state administrative apparatus, using service results and satisfaction of people and businesses as evaluation criteria. Furthermore, it is crucial to promote the role of mastery, sense of responsibility, creativity and all resources of the people.

Fourthly, it is of great necessity to well perform forecasting, analyzing, assessing the world and regional situation, especially major changes that directly affect Viet Nam, so as to adopt timely, decisive and appropriate decisions and actions. Besides, it is mandatory to well handle the relationship between proactive international integration and domestic innovation, making the most of domestic resources while closely and effectively combining these and foreign ones.

Fifthly, it is required to maintain political stability and national security, to ensure social order and safety, to firmly protect national independence and sovereignty, and to maintain a peaceful, stable and favorable environment. It is beneficial for the country to develop rapidly and sustainably and to build an independent and self-reliant economy, which is more resilient and adaptable to external influences.

Looking back on 10 years implementing the 2011-2020 Strategy, having faced various difficulties and challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Viet Nam has generally achieved its overall goals and key targets. Macro-economy has been stabilized; economic growth has been maintained; people's lives have been improved; significant results have been achieved in such fields as culture, society, environment, national defense, security and foreign affairs. Such outcomes have demonstrated the great efforts of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and its people under the wise and strong leadership and direction Party and State leaders. It is also the consensus, solidarity, joint efforts and high determination of the whole political system, the business community and the entire nation that have contributed to strengthening trust and creating an atmosphere of excitement in the whole society. Viet Nam has never had such fortune, potential international position and prestige as it does today, as in the words of General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong.

From now to the end of 2020, the final year of the period, Viet Nam is required to be proactive and innovative in carrying out tasks, to improve capacity, to take advantage of opportunities, to take drastic action, to promote solidarity, bravery and wisdom, to synchronously and effectively deploy tasks to realize its dual task set out in resolutions and directions of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the National Assembly of Viet Nam, the Government of Viet Nam, and the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Moreover, the country is asked to focus on removing difficulties for production and business, speeding up disbursement of public investment capital, stimulating consumption demand, promoting exports on the basis of maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring the balance of the economy. Viet Nam, at the same time, should be alert at all times, seriously and effectively implement measures to prevent and combat the COVID-19 pandemic, adopt policies to support businesses, workers and people in difficulty and strive to achieve the socio-economic development goals and tasks in 2020 and those of the 2011-2020 Socio-economic Development Strategy, constituting achievements to celebrate the 13^th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

III

In the coming time, peace, cooperation, and development will remain an irresistible trend of the times; however, the world will be featured with more obstacles and difficulties, strategic competition among major countries and partners is to become complex and fierce. Globalization and international integration will continue to progress but encounter numerous obstacles and challenges; while foreign policies of major countries in the region and the world will be adjusted unpredictably. Particularly, the COVID-19 pandemic is forecasted to continue to develop in a complicated and uncontrollable manner, affecting severely countries and industries, causing serious global economic recession, and leading to profound changes in the world's order, economic structure, global governance model, economic activity, and social organization. The digital circular economy, the green growth on the basis of science, technology, innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is happening at a neck-breaking rate and having far-reaching and multi-dimensional impacts on a global scale, has become the development model of choice for many countries.

Domestically, after nearly 35 years of renovation, Viet Nam has recorded great achievements of historical significance. The country’s position and power have grown much stronger; the scale, potential and competitiveness of the economy have been raised with relatively high economic growth; the macro foundation has been stabilized; people's life in all aspects has been constantly improved; confidence among the business community and society has been enhanced. Still, there have remained a multitude of limitations and challenges, including the risk of falling behind; the low development level of science, technology, productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness; while its economic openness is high, its ability to withstand and adapt to external impacts is weak; its capacity to access the digital economy and society is still limited. Additionally, there is a good change that COVID-19 returns to some localities and exerts great impacts on the national socio-economic situation. Such non-traditional security risks as natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change increasingly affects production and life. Meanwhile, the current global situation also poses great challenges to the task of protecting independence, sovereignty and ensuring national security.

In such context, it is required that Vietnamese people possess strong will, absolute determination, and high aspiration to rise, that Viet Nam clearly defines its strategic goals, guidelines and breakthrough solutions to make good use of opportunities, overcome difficulties and challenges, and bring the country forward with the development gap gradually narrowed. By 2030, the year that marks the 100^th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Viet Nam strives to become a developing country with modern industry; high per capita income; competitive and effective management institutions; dynamic and sustainable economic development; independent and innovative science-technology; effective foreign affairs and international integration; a democratic, equitable, civilized, orderly and safe society; improving people’s happiness and living standard; a peaceful and stable environment for national development;  a better position and prestige in the international arena. And by 2045, the 100^th founding anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the country strives to become a developed, high-income country.

In the next 10 strategic years, it is imperative for Viet Nam to continue to effectively implement strategic breakthroughs with new, deeper and more specific connotations, suitable to the domestic situation and development requirements in the coming period. It is necessary to improve the quality of socialist-oriented market economy institutions; ensure synchronization, modernity and integration; renovate national governance; build an effective and efficient state apparatus; foster decentralization in management and promote initiative, creativity and responsibility of all levels and industries. Furthermore, it is essential to promote human resource development and science – technology as well as digital transformation to create breakthroughs in productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness; to focus on training high-quality human resources, discovering and fostering talents, adopting suitable policies to attract and utilize talents both at home and abroad; to develop specific and operational mechanisms and policies to promote technological application and transfer as well as to improve research capacity, self-reliance and adaptability in order to effectively withstand strong external fluctuations. It is also vital to strongly develop the national innovation system and innovative startup ecosystem; to uphold Vietnamese cultural values ​​and human strength, strongly arouse the aspiration for development, national pride, patriotism, self-reliance and compassion, solidarity and social consensus; to enhance the sense of responsibility, social ethics while leading a lawful life; to continue to perfect the system of synchronous and modern economic and social infrastructure; to prioritize developing key infrastructure in transportation, energy, information technology, urban areas, and infrastructure in response to climate change; and strongly develop digital infrastructure that synchronizes national, regional and local data infrastructure.

In order to realize the above-mentioned goals, orientations and strategic breakthroughs, Viet Nam needs to continue to strongly innovate development thinking, change its method of leadership, management, direction and administration, and national governance, implement synchronously and effectively all guidelines, tasks and solutions set out in resolutions of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the Government of Viet Nam, focusing on a number of key points as follows:

1- Focusing on perfecting and improving the quality of socialist-oriented market economy institutions, better handling relations between the State, the market and the society. Developing adequate, synchronous, modern, integrated, stable, specific and transparent mechanisms, policies and legal regulations in association with increasing law enforcement effectiveness and efficiency. Fully and synchronously developing all market, especially those for land use and for science and technology. Strongly renovating the mechanism of decentralization and authorization, especially in terms of resource and state budget allocation to meet development requirements; improving coordination efficiency in leadership, direction and administration of all levels and industries. Carrying out a comprehensive national digital transformation, developing a digital economy, and building a digital society. Boosting the application of information technology and digital transformation in the Party, State, Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations. Stepping up the construction of e-Government, digital government; reforming administrative procedures, removing barriers, and improving the quality of the business environment, in which fair and transparent competition is ensured. By 2030, Viet Nam's business environment is expected to rank in the world’s top 30.

2- Strongly developing science, technology and innovation to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy. Promoting the application and development of new technologies, prioritizing digital technology, 5G and post-5G connectivity, artificial intelligence...; focusing on enterprises in the development and application of science, technology and innovation; strongly promoting the digital economy, digital society, new business models and methods. Clearly defining goals, targets, action programs for development, application of science - technology and innovation in all aspects of activities at all levels, sectors and localities. Developing and improving the operational efficiency of the national innovation system, the innovation startup ecosystem and the science and technology market. Promoting international integration and cooperation in science and technology, developing a network to connect Vietnamese talents. By 2030, the proportion of enterprises with innovative activities is expected to reach 40%.

3- Creating fundamental and strong changes in the quality and effectiveness of education and training, strongly developing human resources, especially high-quality human resources, to meet the requirements of socio-economic development, the Fourth industrial revolution and international integration. Building Vietnamese people who develop comprehensively, with good health, cultural qualities, professional qualifications, high sense of responsibility towards themselves, their families, the society and the Fatherland. Focusing on retraining and regular training of the workforce in association with reforms in the recruitment and ulitization of talents. Redeveloping the school system, diversifying training programs, combining public and private education, prioritizing regions with special difficulties, ethnic minority areas, borders, islands, distant and remote areas. By 2030, the Vietnamese education is expected to reach regional advanced level.

4- Fostering industrialization, modernization and economic restructuring in association with renovating the growth model in a substantive and effective way, promoting rapid and sustainable development on the basis of maintaining macro-economic stability. Formulating national and regional development master plans in line with the country's realities in order to improve the economy's autonomy, adaptability and resilience, which focus on measures to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to quickly restore the national economy. Promoting strong development of digital economy, digital society, smart production, new production and business models, sharing economy, circular economy, e-commerce... Promoting close coordination, synchronization and efficiency among fiscal, monetary, trade and investment policies and others to control inflation, stabilize the macro-economy, and ensure great balances of the economy, especially in terms of economic growth, state budget, investment, trade, energy, food security; at the same time, creating favorable conditions to promote socio-economic development. Strongly developing the domestic market, promoting domestic consumption, building national product brands; at the same time, effectively exploiting free trade agreements, expanding and diversifying import and export markets; strengthening the prevention and fight against smuggling and trade fraud, and protecting domestic production and consumption. Focusing on building an effective, safe and sustainable national finance; strongly developing financial and monetary markets; publicizing the management and utilization of public property, land and natural resources. Continuing to restructure and improve the efficiency of public investment, the system of credit institutions and state-owned enterprises. Strongly developing the private sector in both quantity and quality, ensuring its effectiveness and sustainability, and really becoming an important driving force in economic development. Renovating and improving the operational efficiency of collective economic organizations and cooperatives. Improving the efficiency of foreign investment cooperation, prioritizing high-tech and environmentally friendly projects, connecting with domestic enterprises to form supply chains and value chains. Promoting public-private partnership (PPP), mobilizing social resources to invest in infrastructure development and provide public services.

Stepping up the development of a number of key economic sectors and fields that have potentials and advantages to act as a driving force for growth. Promoting agricultural restructuring, developing large-scale concentrated commodity agriculture, applying high technology, and ensuring food safety. Changing the structure of crop and livestock production in an appropriate and effective manner, increasing the resilience and adaptability to climate change in each region and locality. Building a close link between agriculture and processing industry, markets, and exports to participate in regional and global value chains. Attracting investment to strongly develop agricultural enterprises; supporting and encouraging the development of farm economy, agricultural cooperatives and cooperative groups. Building a strong national industry, developing harmoniously in both width and depth, focusing on creating a breakthrough in improving productivity, product quality and competitiveness. Promoting digital transformation, increasing connectivity and access to information and data. Prioritizing the development of a number of spearhead industries, new and high-tech industries, and defense and security industries. Concentrating on the effective development of supporting industries and industrial zones and clusters. Promoting the restructuring of service industries which are based on modern and digital technology; developing new types of services, building service ecosystems, especially in the fields of finance, banking, insurance, legal, healthcare, education and training, telecommunications and information technology, logistics and transportation, distribution... Developing and improving tourism quality with professionalism, modernity, sustainability and international integration.

5- Focusing on developing infrastructure, regional economy, and marine economy; making urban areas the driving force for regional development and promoting new rural construction. Continuing to synchronously develop key national infrastructure projects, especially in transport, energy and digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity with the region and the world. By 2030, Viet Nam is expected to have some 5,000km of expressways, of which the East North-South expressway will have been completed by 2025. Strengthening the capacity of irrigation infrastructure to respond to climate change, especially in the Mekong River Delta, and prevent flooding in Ho Chi Minh City. Focusing on building an innovative regional planning in the direction of integration and multi-sector, forming a value chain with specific mechanisms and policies to promote regional development, regional linkage and development coordination institutions. Sustainably developing marine economy; strictly controlling the exploitation of marine resources, restoring marine ecosystems in association with ensuring national defense and security and improving people's lives in seas and islands. Accelerating urbanization, improving urban quality, developing urban planning with a long-term vision, forming a number of smart urban chains. Continuing to effectively implement the new rural construction program in association with urbanization. By 2030, 90% of communes are expected to meet new rural standards and 40% of district-level units to complete the construction of new rural areas.

6- Attaching importance to cultural and social development, achieving social progress and justice; constantly improving people’s material and spiritual life. Building a comprehensive cultural environment in families, schools, communities, in party, state, mass organizations and businesses so that culture is really the driving force, creating breakthroughs in socio-economic development and international integration. Arousing patriotism, self-reliance, national pride, and aspiration among Vietnamese people. By 2030, Viet Nam is expected to achieve the goals set by the Agenda for Sustainable Development. Well implementing policies for people with meritorious services, social protection, social welfare, social insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance and multi-dimensional, sustainable and inclusive poverty reduction solutions, especially in ethnic minorities and disadvantaged areas, which is done in association with the effective implementation of the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic and Mountainous Areas for 2021-2030. Attaching great importance to the task of protecting and taking care of people's health; improving the quality of health services; detecting, preventing and, effectively controlling epidemics; promptly responding to emergencies, and environmental incidents. Developing a synchronous and efficient labor market and improving the quality of the market information system; implementing the overall reform of salary and social insurance policies under the direction of the Central Resolution. Continuing to well implement policies on ethnicity, religion, the care for the elderly, youth development, gender equality, woman progress, the care and protection of children and the prevention of social vices.

7- Effectively managing and exploiting natural resources; strengthening environmental protection, responding to climate change as well as preventing and combating natural disasters. Continuing to improve and effectively implementing mechanisms, policies and legal regulations on natural resource management and environmental protection. Addressing the relationship between socio-economic development and environmental protection and strictly implementing measures to prevent and combat environmental pollution. Promoting international cooperation and the economical, efficient and sustainable use of water resources. Improving the resilience and adaptability to climate change of the infrastructure system and the economy; mitigating risks and damage caused by climate change, abnormal weather, natural disasters, storms, floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion... in key areas, especially in the northern and central mountainous areas, the Central Highlands and the Mekong River Delta. By 2030, Viet Nam is expected to basically achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on natural resources, environment and responding to climate change.

8- Continuing to strengthen national defense and security, improving the efficiency of foreign affairs, international integration, and creating a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for the country's development. Resolutely and persistently struggling to firmly protect national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Continuing to build the all-people national defense posture, the people's security posture, and the revolutionary, regular, elite, and modernized People's Army and People's Public Security. Combining economic, cultural and social development with consolidating and strengthening national defense and security in localities, strategic areas, borders, seas, islands and key economic zones. Actively preventing and combating "self-evolution" and "self-transformation"; timely fighting and effectively suppressing all kinds of crimes; reducing traffic accidents, fire and explosion. Proactively and actively promoting foreign affairs in association with international integration. Enhancing multilateral diplomacy and bilateral diplomacy; promoting Viet Nam’s role in ASEAN, the United Nations and other regional and international cooperation frameworks. Grasping all opportunities brought by integration, especially signed FTAs; focusing on improving integration capacity, settling international trade and investment disputes. Well protecting citizens and overseas Vietnamese; strengthening external information; constantly heightening Viet Nam’s prestige and position of in the international arena.

9- Continuing to build and perfect the socialist rule-of-law State; promoting administrative reform; strengthening the prevention and fight against corruption, practicing thrift and combating waste. Constantly improving the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement in the direction of uniformity, synchronization, transparency, stability, and high regional and international competitiveness. Focusing on building a clean, strong, unified, transparent, effective and efficient state administration. Building a contingent of cadres, civil servants and public employees who have virtues, visions, and high professional qualifications to well perform all assigned tasks. Expanding democracy and strengthening discipline; protecting the socialist regime, the interests of the State, and the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of agencies, organizations and individuals. Continuing to persistently, resolutely and effectively fight against corruption, practice thrift practice and combat waste. Improving the efficiency of supervision, inspection, examination and settlement of complaints and denunciations without criminalizing economic, administrative and civil relations. Properly promoting the society’s role of supervision and social criticism. Focusing on well performing the information, communication and mass mobilization work, promoting the role of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, mass organizations, contributing to creating social consensus in implement the guidelines, policies and laws of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Socialist State of Viet Nam.

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Viet Nam is facing new opportunities, difficulties and challenges, which require the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Vietnamese people to continue to innovate strongly; better the socialist market economic institutions; promote the application of scientific, technological and innovation advances; drastically implement digital transformation to build a digital economy and a digital society; focus on capacity building; take advantage of opportunities to redirect and reorganize socio-economic activities; effectively overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for sustainable economic recovery and development. With the strong belief and aspiration to rise up of the whole nation, with the will, high determination and efforts of the whole political system, all sectors, business community and people nationwide, Viet Nam believes that it will achieve its strategic goals by 2030 and a vision to 2045, making it a developed, high-income country towards the 100^th founding anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; shortening the development gap with the region and the world; firmly continuing on the path of innovation, integration and development; successfully implementing the goal of a rich people - strong nation - equitable, democratic and civilized society that the Party, State and people of Viet Nam have chosen./.

This article was published in the Communist Review, No. 953 (November 2020)