The 13th National Party Congress, changes to the anti-pandemic strategy, and efforts to maintain some growth pillars are among the events that have shaped Vietnam in 2021. The following are the top 10 domestic events selected by the Vietnam News Agency.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at 13th National Party Congress.
Hanoi (VNA) – The 13th National Party Congress, changes to the anti-pandemic strategy, and efforts to maintain some growth pillars are among the events that have shaped Vietnam in 2021. The following are the top 10 domestic events selected by the Vietnam News Agency.
1. 13th National Party Congress a great success
Held in Hanoi from January 25 to February 1, 2021, the 13th National Party Congress was highly successful, establishing itself as a congress of “Solidarity – Democracy – Discipline – Creativity – Development” that inspired the aspiration for a prosperous and happy nation, brought into play the will and strength of the great national solidarity, and comprehensively and uniformly stepped up the “Doi moi” (Renewal), industrialisation, and modernisation.
The elections took place in a democratic, law-abiding, and safe manner when the entire political system, people, and army were exerting efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Changes to COVID-19 prevention and control strategy
The fourth wave of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, has reversed the previously obtained achievements in the pandemic combat when the numbers of infections and related deaths surged in many localities nationwide, especially those in the south. Facing that fact, the Party and State changed the anti-pandemic strategy from “zero COVID” to the “dual targets”.
The implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP, issued on October 11, 2021, on safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic for the ultimate goal of protecting people’s lives and health has helped curb virus transmission, recover socio-economic development, and gradually stabilise people’s life.
As of December 25, the country recorded 1,630,851 infections in the fourth wave of COVID-19, raising the total cases to 1,636,455; meanwhile, the numbers of deaths and recoveries stood at 31,007 and 1,229,684, respectively.
4. Vaccine strategy successfully implemented
The Party and State have mobilised every resource and shown the determination to carry out the COVID-19 vaccine strategy to achieve herd immunity. Many measures have been taken, including setting up a vaccine fund, conducting the vaccine diplomacy, developing home-grown vaccines, and organising the largest-ever free vaccination campaign.
As of December 25, 98 percent of the people aged 18 and above had received at least one shot of vaccine, rising by about four-fold, and 86 percent got the second dose, increasing 25-fold from late August 2021. The vaccination for those aged between 12 and under 18 has also been stepped up.
5. Five important documents on Party building, rectification issued
In the first year of the 13th tenure, the Party issued the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW on the continued implementation of Directive No. 05-CT/TW, dated May 15, 2016, on promoting the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and style; Conclusion No. 21-KL/TW, released at the fourth plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, on stepping up the Party and political system building and rectification; Regulation No. 37-QD/TW on the things Party members are not allowed to do; Conclusion No. 14-KL/TW on encouraging and protecting cadres who are active and creative, and dare to think and act; and Regulation No. 41-QD/TW on the dismissal and resignation of cadres. Notably, the two last documents feature provisions issued for the first time.
6. National Cultural Conference inspires internal strength, UNESCO continues honouring Vietnamese culture
The National Cultural Conference, held to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, identified six concrete targets and 10 key solutions for continuing to strongly inspire patriotism, the will of self-resilience, and the aspiration for a prosperous nation; preserving the national identity and developing Vietnam’s culture in the new period; and capitalising on the enormous internal strength for achieving national development goals by 2030, with a vision to 2045. This event took place on November 24, 2021 – 75 years since the first National Cultural Conference.
Besides, Vietnam has continued making active and responsible contributions within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). It has successfully fulfilled its second term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, been re-elected to the UN International Law Commission for the 2023 – 2027 tenure, and become a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for 2021 – 2025.
8. Strong economic fluctuations and efforts to maintain some growth pillars
In the third quarter of 2021, the gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 6.17 percent from the same period last year, the sharpest fall since Vietnam began calculating and announcing the quarterly GDP, due to the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections. The service and industrial sectors in the southern region contracted sharply, and up to 60 percent of the people lost their jobs or experienced income decreases in Q3.
9. National population database system put into use for first time
The national population database system officially became operational on July 1, 2021, serving as an important basis for developing an e-Government, digital Government, and digital society.
Together with the achievement of the chip-based ID card issuance target, this is the first time fundamental information about Vietnamese citizens has been standardised, digitalised, and included in the inter-sector system, serving state management and facilitating activities of agencies, organisations, and individuals in a modern, convenient, and economical manner.
10. Vietnam secures impressive sports achievements amid difficulties
For the first time, the men’s national football team of Vietnam advanced to the third qualifying round of a FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the futsal team earned a berth in the finals of a FIFA Futsal World Cup for the second time and showed a great stride though they had to stop their journey in the round of 16.