This was announced at the 4^th National Congress of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA), which opened in Hanoi on August 13.

Present were former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, Party Politburo member Truong Tan Sang, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, 630 deputies from cooperatives and cooperative unions across the country, and representatives from international organizations.

In his speech, Mr. Sang stressed that the Party and State value the sector’s contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

VCA Vice President Nguyen Xuan Hien said that under the slogan “Solidarity, cooperation, and development for the community and social security”, the alliance will make a greater effort to overcome shortcomings, accelerate comprehensive reforms, and attract greater participation by farmers and small businesspeople.

The VCA will improve the operational effectiveness of cooperatives and promote cooperation among its members in line with the state’s laws and regulations, he said.

At this congress, the VCA received the 3^rd class Independence Order and a banner from the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee bearing the words “Solidarity, cooperation, and development for the community and social security”.