The following are some of major achievements.

First of all, the country’s GDP reached a 10-year record growth rate of 8.48 percent, the second highest in the world after China. In its development outlook released in early 2007, the Asian Development Bank had forecast that China would achieve an economic growth of 11.2 percent, Vietnam 8.3 percent, Singapore 7.5 percent, the Philippines 6.6 percent, Indonesia 6.2 percent, Malaysia 5.6 percent and Thailand 4 percent. In fact, with its 8.48 GDP growth, Vietnam surpassed this figure. This has given fresh impetus to the economy to pick up strongly in 2008 and in the following years.

Secondly, 2007 saw a boom in domestic and foreign investment activities. Total social investment capital reached VND461.9 trillion, making up 40.4 percent of GDP, an increase of 15.8 percent over 2006. By the end of December 2007, 1,445 foreign investment projects had been licensed with a total registered capital of US$17.8 billion. Meanwhile 379 operational projects were licensed to increase their registered capital by US$2.47 billion. As a result, the foreign investment capital in 2007 totalled US$20.3 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 69.3 percent and surpassing the set target by 56.3 percent. The surge in domestic and foreign investment capital was testimony to the successful implementation of the Government’s socio-economic development policies aimed at creating a favourable, healthy and transparent environment for investors.

Thirdly, goods and services achieved the highest export growth rate of 21.5 percent to fetch US$48.4 billion. The ten commodities that earned an export value of US$1 billion each were crude oil (nearly US$8.5 billion), garments (US$7.8 billion), footwear (nearly US$4 billion), seafood (US$3.8 billion), furniture (2.4 billion), electronic products and computers and accessories (US$2.2 billion), coffee (US$1.8 billion), rice (US$1.4 billion), rubber (US$1.4 billion) and coal (more than US$1 billion). The high export growth means that Vietnamese products have penetrated deeper into the world’s markets and that Vietnam has had good initial results in the post-WTO period.

Fourthly, the government adopted bold measures to address pressing social issues that have received strong public support and response. By implementing the Prime Minister’s instructions to prevent negative implications of education achievement, the graduation exams for 12^th graders took place in a lawful manner. As a result, less than half the candidates in many localities passed the exams. This low result set alarm bells ringing about the quality of education at senior secondary schools as well as the responsibility of the education sector. 

Last but not least is the enforcement of the Government’s helmet law as of December 15, requiring all motorbike riders and passengers to wear helmets on the road. It has been welcomed by all administrations, mass organizations and the public. The number of people sticking to the rules is estimated to have reached 90 percent and even 100 percent in several localities.

Though such achievements have not completed a true picture of the country’s political, socio-economic and cultural record, they show that Vietnam has remained firm on both feet and feels very optimistic about a bright future.

Surely, a new spring will bring further success.