Celebrating the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Seventy-nine years after President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence and nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation) (from 1986 to the present), from a country devastated by numerous wars, impoverished, backward, suffering from famine, and subjected to a 30-year embargo, Vietnam has risen to become a middle-income country with per capita income reaching approximately US$4,300 in 2023, an increase of nearly 60 times compared to 1986. Average economic growth has exceeded 6.5% per year, placing it among the countries with high growth rates in the region and the world. The size of the economy in 2023 ranked 35th in the world, an increase of more than 95 times compared to 1986. The macroeconomic foundation is fundamentally stable; the major balances of the economy are ensured.

In his recent article, "Building a Strong Party, a Prosperous, Democratic, Just, and Civilized Vietnam," General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the entire Party, people, and army need to strive together, wholeheartedly inherit and strongly promote the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of our Party; maximize the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-strength, and national pride"; and constantly explore and open up great new prospects for human and social development.

Firmly upholding Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the goal of national independence, socialism, and the Party's reform line. Firmly prioritizing socio-economic development as the central focus, Party building as the key element, cultural development as the spiritual foundation, and ensuring national defense and security as a vital and ongoing priority; maximizing internal resources and leveraging external resources, with endogenous resources and human resources being the most important. Especially valuing and continuously strengthening unity within the Party, national unity, and the close, inseparable bond between the Party and the people.

Along with that, General Secretary and President To Lam also emphasized that recently, a very important spirit is the need to unify understanding of the new historical starting point, the new era, the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise, and from there, to make even stronger innovations. This is the spirit of new development that demands even greater and stronger efforts from the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army.

Vietnam continues to be a bright spot economically in the region and the world.

According to the General Statistics Office, in 2023, Vietnam's socio-economic situation continued its recovery trend. Domestic macroeconomic stability remained, inflation was controlled at an appropriate level; the supply and demand of essential goods were ensured, and domestic purchasing and consumption maintained a relatively high growth rate. The agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector continued to be a solid pillar of the economy with stable growth, affirming the effectiveness of structural transformation, ensuring the domestic supply of food, essential goods, and increasing exports. Public investment was boosted in terms of implemented capital, with a high disbursement rate, and social welfare was addressed promptly and effectively. Vietnam continued to be a bright spot in the economy in the region and the world. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 5.05% compared to 2022.

The domestic market size continues to grow, with total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue at current prices estimated at VND 6,231.8 trillion in 2023, an increase of 9.6% compared to 2022.

The business environment is constantly improving, creating favorable conditions for businesses to be more proactive in participating in global value chains. Some Vietnamese products are beginning to establish their brands and are capable of competing in the international market. According to data from the General Statistics Office, in 2023, the whole country had 159,300 newly registered businesses with a total registered capital of VND 1,521.3 trillion. In the first seven months of 2024, the whole country had more than 95,200 newly registered businesses, with a total registered capital of VND 854.6 trillion.

Employment and average monthly income of workers increased. In 2023, the number of employed people was 51.3 million, an increase of 683,000 (1.35%) compared to 2022. Meanwhile, the rate of informal employment was 64.9%, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points compared to 2022. The number of self-employed workers was 3.8 million, a decrease of 507,600 compared to 2022. The average monthly income of workers in 2023 was VND 7.1 million, an increase of 6.9%, or VND 459,000, compared to 2022.

Labor productivity for the entire economy in 2023 at current prices is estimated at VND 199.3 million per worker (equivalent to USD 8,380 per worker, an increase of USD 274 compared to 2022).

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Vietnam's GII (Global Innovation Index) ranking in 2023 placed it 46th out of 132 countries and economies worldwide, an increase of two places compared to 2022. Within ASEAN, Vietnam's GII ranked 4th, behind Singapore (5th), Malaysia (36th), and Thailand (43rd). Vietnam's Research and Development (R&D) ranking was 66th.

Along with economic development, in recent years, the Party and State of Vietnam have continuously paid attention to and invested all resources in socio-cultural development. To date, the culture and lives of the people have undergone many changes and are constantly improving.

Vietnam's population in 2023 was 100.3 million people. The quality of the population is constantly improving. Vietnam has basically maintained the replacement fertility rate since 2005. Achievements in the development of medicine and healthcare have improved, and the average life expectancy of Vietnam's population in 2023 was 73.7 years.

According to preliminary results from the 2023 Household Living Standards Survey, the living conditions of households have improved. Social welfare work has been promptly and practically implemented by all levels from the central to local governments. According to a report by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, as of December 19, 2023, the total value of money and gifts provided to beneficiaries was over 12.3 trillion VND; attracting many international tourists to visit and learn about Vietnamese culture and people. Data from the General Statistics Office shows that in 2023, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 12.6 million, 3.4 times higher than in 2022, far exceeding the target of 8 million international visitors for 2023. In the first seven months of 2024 alone, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 10 million, an increase of 51.0% compared to the same period in 2023.

The streets were adorned with vibrant red flags bearing yellow stars.

Vietnam's position on the international stage is increasingly rising.

Continuing to uphold the historical significance of the September 2nd, 1945 event and affirming its position on the international stage, Vietnam constantly nurtures its aspiration to rise up, with an unwavering spirit and determination.

First and foremost, our country has maintained an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, yet one that is flexible and innovative. In an increasingly complex and multipolar world, upholding principles while remaining flexible in our approach has enabled Vietnam to both protect national sovereignty and seize opportunities for international cooperation. This not only helps the country maintain peace and stability but also creates momentum for building strategic partnerships, sharing interests and responsibilities with other nations.

Furthermore, enhancing Vietnam's role in international organizations is an indispensable task. Actively participating in global initiatives, especially in areas such as sustainable development, climate change response, and peacekeeping, helps Vietnam affirm its role as a responsible and trustworthy nation on the international stage.

To ensure the enduring significance of the September 2nd event, Vietnam has made numerous efforts to protect and promote its traditional cultural values, while simultaneously absorbing the finest aspects of global culture. This not only helps Vietnam build a unique and strong identity on the international stage but also creates a gentle allure, attracting respect and admiration from other nations. Each historical site, song, dance, custom, and festival tells a story of resilience, creativity, and patriotism – values ​​that have propelled and continue to elevate Vietnam to global prominence.

Cultural diplomacy is also one of the powerful means by which Vietnam can spread its stature to the world. When Vietnamese culture is widely introduced, when stories of resilience and solidarity are shared, the world will understand, love, and respect our country more. From cultural and artistic activities to educational exchange programs and people-to-people interactions, all contribute to building a beautiful, dynamic, and promising image of Vietnam.

Inspired by the Declaration of Independence of September 2, 1945, Vietnam has continued to write glorious and proud chapters in its history on the international stage. We have proven that, despite its small size, with willpower and determination, Vietnam can fully assert its position and contribute to the peace and prosperity of humanity.

According to the online newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.