The statement was made by Truong Tan Sang, Politburo member and standing member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam at a working session with the Party’s Committee and people of Can Tho City on January 25.

Mr Sang sent Tet greetings to Can Tho people and praised their achievements in recent years. He expressed his hope that the city would make a breakthrough in economic development, develop human resources and better implement social welfare so that it can enhance its overall socio-economic position.

Secretary of the City Party’s Committee, Nguyen Tan Quyen summarized the city’s socio-economic development of the recent years. Despite many difficulties, the city achieved a growth rate of 15 percent in 2010 and was one of top five cities with the highest socio-economic growth rates. The average per capita income was US$1,950.

But despite these achievements, the city still faces many difficulties and challenges, such as the 7.4 percent rate of poor household.

Can Tho will focus on urban development and human resources development, providing healthcare for people and strive to obtain a growth rate of 16 percent to be worthy of its position as the economic and political centre of the Mekong Delta region.

On the occasion, Mr Sang visited officials and workers at the Cai Cui Port, the South-West Steering Board and senior veterans.