2007 is the first year in which major opportunities and challenges to the national development will become apparent. Opportunities do not automatically turn into materials in the market, instead they can only become effective by our ability to grasp and exploit them. Challenges are direct pressure but their implication largely depends on our efforts. Opportunities and challenges are not immutable. On the contrary, they always vary and transform. Grasping opportunities, overcoming and turning challenges into opportunities and lively active development are the great responsibilities of our Party and State and people in the new stage.   

2007 is the second year Vietnam implements Resolutions of the 10^th National Party Congress and the five-year socio-economic development plan (2006 - 2010) in order to take the country out of the state of less development so that by 2010 it will stand between developing countries with revenues at an average level. 2007 is also the first year Vietnam becomes an official member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which marks its deeper and more comprehensive integration in the global economy.

2007 will proceed, inherit and promote achievements obtained in the national renewal process, particularly in 2006. In this year, in addition to major advantages, the country has to confront big difficulties and challenges. However, with their tremendous efforts, our Party, State and people have been determined to realise Resolutions of the 10^th National Party Congress and obtained comprehensive progress. The country has obtained or surpassed most of the socio-economic indicators. The economy has been restructured in the trend of industrialisation and modernisation and economic growth has been maintained at a rather high rate of 8.2 per cent. Major balances have been ensured to stabilise the macro economy. Positive changes have been seen in scientific, technological, education, training, cultural and social fields. New achievements and progress have been acknowledged in the restructuring of the leadership and management apparatus, administrative and judicial reforms, the fight against corruption and waste of public property, thrift practice, national defence and security and acceleration of external and international integration activities. 2006 was marked by two prominent events. Vietnam joined the WTO, successfully concluding a long-term negotiation for more than a decade. Vietnam also successfully hosted the APEC Meeting 2006. Moreover, Vietnam was unanimously nominated by Asian countries as the sole candidate representing the continent to the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the 2008 – 2009 term. These events showed that Vietnam’s position and strength in the world have been further improved and accelerated.

Meanwhile, we have to admit that weaknesses and gaps remain in Vietnam’s socio-economy. GDP growth rate surpassed the set target but did not deserve the country’s potential. The growth quality, particularly economic competitiveness remains low. The economic restructuring process is slow. Full accession to the WTO and international economic integration will generate major opportunities for the country to develop as well as new challenges to overcome. Vietnam is developing from a low starting point, having limited potential, an incomplete legal system, and with a lack of management experience in the market economy. However, it has to confront fiercely global competition and inter-dependence between economies, in which strong and large market economies are more advantaged. It is also a challenge to Vietnam to defend its socio-economic development orientation, and national security, protect the environment, and retain the nation’s cultural identity and fine tradition.

2007 is the first year Vietnam experiences major opportunities and challenges after accessing the WTO. We should understand that opportunities themselves will not turn into market’s material forces but depend on our capacity to grasp and use them. Challenges cause direct pressure but their impacts also depend on our efforts. Opportunities and challenges will not remain constant but moveable and changeable.

In 2007 and in the following years, Vietnam will make all out efforts to realise socio-economic objectives and solutions set in Resolutions of the 10^th National Party Congress and the National Assembly for the five year plan between 2006 - 2010. In this year, we must focus on fulfilling four primary important tasks, which are: 1- Further completing the institution for the socialist-oriented market economy, holding the initiative to integrate in the global economy, and mobilising all resources for development investment. 2-Accelerating agricultural and rural development and improving people’s lives. 3- Promoting education, training, science and technology, and effectively solve urgent cultural, social and environmental issues. 4- Concentrating on the administrative reform to make the State governance more effective. Firmly and consistently enforcing measures against corruption, waste of public property and thrift practice. In addition to this, we should always concentrate on Party building and rectification, making the political system more effective and efficient, consolidating and strengthening national defence and security, broadening and improving external relations, and accelerating the national renewal process for a rich people, strong country and fair, democratic and civilised society.

Seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges, turning challenges into opportunities and vice versa are a great responsibility of our Party, State and people in the new period.

COMMUNIST REVIEW