2009 is a year full of challenges as the global economic downturn continues to affect integrated economies. The consecutive natural disasters (two tropical storms Ketsana and Mirinae) left nearly 300 people dead or missing and caused widespread damage to property estimated at nearly VND20,000 billion. In addition, the A/H1N1 epidemic remains a threat and could break out and spread at any time.

At the end of the first quarter of this year, the Economist Intelligence Unit predicted that Vietnam’s GDP would only grow at 3 percent but in the end, the GDP growth rate reached 5.2 percent. Vietnam is one of very few countries capable of maintaining a positive growth and ensuring social welfare. Such positive results are attributable to a proper analysis and evaluation of the domestic and international situation and sound and flexible policies adopted by the Party and Government.

Vietnam’s achievements have been acknowledged by the International community. Recently, International donors pledged to provide Vietnam with almost US$8.063 billion in ODA, the highest amount ever on record.

The government’s policy to stimulate investments has paid off well as seen in the transport sector with more than 30 projects getting off the ground to open new air routes, railways and waterways.

With its population growth rate of 1.2 percent, hitting a 50-year record low and a replacement fertility level of 2.1 children/ woman, Vietnam has entered a period of change in the population structure as the rate of the dependent population (children under 15 and people over 60 years of age) is now 53 percent and will continue to drop in the next few years.

Vietnam’s abundant source of human resources is considered an important factor behind its national development. In 2009, the Government issued a resolution containing a number of incentives to stimulate investments in housing, mainly for low-income earners, students, and workers in industrial zones. A long-term plan for investment in human resources has been drawn up and put into action.

Vietnam’s prestige in the international arena has been strengthened and improved as the country successfully held the chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) twice in 2009, leaving a deep impression on the international community.

The country assumed the chair of the most powerful global organisation and oversaw dozens of meetings to address difficult situations and seek solutions to long-lasting conflicts that remain out of control. Vietnam not only managed its UNSC activities successfully but also proposed several important initiatives, such as holding discussions on children and armed conflicts in July 2008 and women, peace and security in October 2009.

This year’s achievements are of great significance, helping to build up public confidence in the Party’s leadership and provide a firm foundation for development in 2010 – the last year of the five-year development plan (2005-2010).