Following is the full text of his message.

“Dear fellow citizens, comrades and soldiers throughout the country,

In the sacred moment of the traditional lunar New Year’s Eve to welcome the Year of the Snake 2013, I cordially send greetings and best wishes to all citizens, comrades and soldiers in every part of the country, and all compatriots overseas.

On behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, I send wishes for peace, friendship, cooperation and development to the people of every nation in the world.

Dear fellow citizens, comrades and soldiers throughout the country,

In the year of the Dragon in 2012, we encountered and overcame many difficulties and challenges on the road to national development. Perhaps they were not the final challenge. Faced with difficulties, we should uphold our fine tradition of solidarity to muster the strength required and overcome them.

Welcoming the Year of the Snake 2013, it is time for every Vietnamese family and citizen to once again express gratitude to our ancestors for their contributions to national construction and defence. Endless sweat and blood of generations of Vietnamese has been sacrificed as well as their workmanship, innovation and steadfastness to create our nation today.

Our responsibility is to carry on building, protecting and pushing our country on to greater prosperity and sustainability. It's the glorious duty of each one of us.

Dear fellow citizens, comrades and soldiers throughout the country,

In the New Year, we must take advantage of all opportunities, triumph over any obstacles, and acknowledge and address all weaknesses and shortcomings. Comprehensive reform will be promoted in our determination to fulfill the two strategic tasks of securing our development and protecting our beloved country of Vietnam.

Full national consensus and united effort will deliver our success.

Best wishes to you all!”