strive to overcome all challenges and difficulties, and turn opportunities into reality to build a more prosperous and happier Vietnam.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the get-together (Photo: VNA)

The top leader chaired a get-together for veteran revolutionaries and incumbent and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front on February 9 as the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival approaches.

He took the occasion to extend his Tet wishes to all veteran revolutionaries, incumbent and former leaders, as well as the entire Vietnamese people inside and outside of the country.

Trong said 2020 was marked by many important events for Vietnam. Despite the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, the country saw major achievements in pandemic prevention and control and socio-economic development, with GDP growth nearing 3 percent.

The macro-economy remains stable, the implementation of strategic breakthroughs and economic restructuring in line with growth model reform has been stepped up, social welfare was ensured, and the living conditions of Vietnamese people improved.

The leader also highlighted achievements in Party building and rectification and in the fight against corruption and wastefulness and in strengthening defence-security and maintaining national sovereignty.

Vietnam also recorded important results in external affairs and international integration last year, as it successfully fulfilled its role as ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, thus helping to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for national development and increasing its prestige and position in the international arena.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong poses for a photo with incumbent and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front (Photo: VNA)

The 14th-tenure National Assembly approved various new laws, meeting the requirements of national development in the new era.

Of note, the 13th National Party Congress was successfully held, marking an important milestone in the cause of nation building and safeguarding, Trong stressed.

2021 is the first year of carrying out the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution and the 2021-2025 socio-economic development plan, with elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2021-2026 tenure also scheduled.

The domestic and international situations offer a lot of opportunities but also present many challenges and difficulties, he emphasised, while calling on the entire Party, people, and army to make greater efforts to fulfil all tasks in 2021, with a focus on stabilising the macro-economy and removing difficulties facing business and production activities.

The top leader highlighted the importance of developing culture, education, and science and technology; protecting the environment; ensuring social welfare; strengthening Party building and rectification and the building of a socialist State ruled by law and a transparent and strong political system; stepping up administrative and judicial reforms; fighting corruption and wastefulness; strengthening defence-security; firmly safeguarding national sovereignty; and ensuring political security and social order and safety to make the country develop rapidly and sustainably.

Top priority should be given to effectively controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted, asking Party Committees, administrations, and localities to remain vigilant in all circumstances and prepare response measures to promptly cope with any incidents.

It is also necessary to care for policy beneficiaries, the poor, and people living in extremely disadvantaged circumstances and in mountainous and ethnic minority areas, strengthen market management, and ensure smooth and safe transport during the Tet holiday, he added./.VNA

The man who holds aloft the flag at historic moments

It was when the battle against corruption needed a leader to raise the flag that Party Secretary General and State President Nguyen Phu Trong appeared, with intelligence and courage.