Speaking at a February 13 meeting in HCM City, which was attended by Party Politburo members Le Hong Anh and Dinh The Huynh, former State President Nguyen Minh Triet, former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, and other former senior cadres, Mr Trong wished the retired leaders good health and happiness on the occasion of the New Year.

The Party chief said the meeting aimed to provide the retired cadres with official information about the country’s situation, the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as achievements and shortcomings in national construction and defence.

He also pointed to challenges and difficulties facing Vietnam in 2012 and expressed his wish that the entire people and all generations of Party and State leaders and officials will join efforts to fulfil the targets and tasks set by the 11^th National Party Congress.

Participants in the meeting heard four reports on the Party and State leadership, the socio-economic situation, the Party and State’s external affairs in 2011, and the security situation in recent times.