49 years of national unity.

Tanks of the 203rd Armored Brigade, 304th Division, 2nd Corps, entered the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975.

The history of our nation will forever remember the moment at 11:30 AM on April 30, 1975, when the revolutionary flag flew atop the Independence Palace – the last stronghold of the Saigon regime. From this point on, the South was completely liberated, and Vietnam was unified.

On April 25, 1976, a general election for the National Assembly was held nationwide with over 23 million voters (98.8% of the total electorate) casting their ballots. The National Assembly decided to name the country the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (effective July 2, 1976). The national flag is the red flag with a yellow star, the national anthem is "Marching Song," and the national emblem is "Socialist Republic of Vietnam." The capital is Hanoi. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. The completion of national reunification created the fundamental political conditions for the comprehensive development of the country's strength, facilitating the nation's progress towards socialism, and providing immense capabilities to defend the homeland and expand relations with countries around the world.

Through countless ups and downs, with indomitable will, fervent aspirations, and concrete actions, Vietnam has achieved remarkable feats in the 20th century, enriching the glorious history of the nation. Particularly in the nearly 40 years of implementing the national renovation process, despite numerous difficulties and challenges, the entire Party, people, and army have united to achieve great and historically significant accomplishments.

Over the years, our country's economy has made remarkable progress. The average GDP growth rate during the period 1990-2000 reached 7.5%; and during the period 2006-2010 reached 7%. The size of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010 reached US$101.6 billion (3.26 times higher than in 2000).

During the period 2011-2020, macroeconomic stability was maintained, inflation was controlled and kept at a low level, creating an environment and impetus for socio-economic development. The average GDP growth rate during the period 2011-2015 reached 5.9%/year; and during the period 2016-2019 reached 6.8%/year. Vietnam became one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, and the IMF assessed Vietnam as being among the top 20 economies contributing the most to global growth in 2019.

Over the years, our country's economy has made remarkable progress.

In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted all aspects of the economy, and Vietnam faced unprecedented difficulties. However, thanks to numerous efforts, Vietnam remained one of the few countries to maintain positive growth of 2.9% (2020) and 2.58% (2021) – significant achievements in the context of the raging pandemic.

In the last two years, with numerous solutions to overcome difficulties and restore the economy, Vietnam has achieved remarkable results. GDP in 2022 increased by 8.02%, reaching the highest growth rate in the 2011-2022 period. GDP growth in 2023 is also expected to exceed 5%, with an economic size of approximately US$430 billion. This is a tremendous effort in the context of a very difficult global situation, helping our economy remain among the high-growth countries in the region and the world .

The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) April 2024 Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report forecasts that Vietnam's economy will grow by 6.0% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025. The Observed Research Foundation states that Vietnam could become the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia in 2024 and 2025.

Exports have also been an impressive highlight for Vietnam in recent years. Export turnover in 2023 reached US$327.5 billion. Notably, the trade balance continued to record a surplus for the eighth consecutive year, with a record surplus estimated at US$28 billion, 2.3 times higher than in 2022.

Vietnam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors.

The country's transformation is evident from rural to urban areas, from transportation infrastructure to entertainment services... Vietnam has become a world leader in the fastest-growing mobile phone subscriber base and the number of internet users, as well as users of smart devices such as smartphones... A Google report assessed Vietnam's digital economy growth rate as the fastest in Southeast Asia for two consecutive years (28% in 2022, 19% in 2023), 3.5 times higher than its GDP growth rate.

With economic growth and efforts to improve the investment and business environment, Vietnam is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors. In 2023, total registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached nearly US$36.61 billion, an increase of 32.1% compared to 2022. Notably, the disbursed capital of foreign investment projects reached a record high of approximately US$23.18 billion, an increase of 3.5% compared to 2022.

Economic development goes hand in hand with socio-cultural development, improving the material and spiritual lives of the people. For many years, Vietnam has focused on building culture and developing well-rounded individuals. This includes particular attention to moral education, character development, creative abilities, and core values, especially patriotism, national pride and self-respect, national traditions and history, and a sense of social responsibility for all segments of the population, especially the younger generation; preserving and promoting the beautiful cultural identity of the Vietnamese people…

Over the years, the national education system has become increasingly完善 (perfected).

Regarding education, over the years, the national education system has been increasingly perfected towards openness and interconnectedness between different levels, qualifications, and educational methods; the scale of education and the network of educational institutions have developed, better meeting the lifelong learning needs of the people; the whole country has completed universal education for 5-year-old children; and the quality of universal primary and lower secondary education is gradually improving. Vietnam has achieved many high results in international Olympiads and science and technology competitions. In addition, the network of specialized schools in ethnic minority and mountainous areas continues to expand; and programs and policies supporting education for children of poor households, ethnic minorities, and disadvantaged areas have been effectively implemented.

In terms of healthcare, Vietnam continues to achieve many successes in providing health care for its people. The healthcare network, especially at the grassroots level, is increasingly strengthened and developed; many dangerous diseases are controlled and eradicated; and many new technologies are researched and effectively applied. Health indicators and average life expectancy have improved.

Vietnam continues to achieve many successes in providing healthcare for its people.

Vietnam is also a global success story in poverty reduction. From a poor country, Vietnam has become a middle-income country, with the poverty rate dramatically reduced from 57% in the early 1990s to 5.2% in 2020. Notably, the multidimensional poverty rate has continuously and significantly decreased from 18.1% in 2012 to 10.9% in 2016 and 4.4% in 2020. In 2023, the national poverty rate was 2.93%, a decrease of 1.1% compared to the end of 2022.

In addition, efforts to ensure social security and care for the lives of workers, especially vulnerable groups and policy beneficiaries, continue to be strengthened. Gender equality is becoming more substantive, and the role and status of women are improving and being elevated.

According to the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum, Vietnam currently ranks 72nd on this list with a gender equality progress of 71.1%, an increase of 11 places compared to its 2022 position. Furthermore, according to the United Nations' World Happiness Report in March 2023, Vietnam's Happiness Index has increased by 12 places, from 77th to 65th in the global ranking.

Over the past decades, Vietnam's foreign relations with other countries, especially with important partners and neighboring countries, have expanded, deepened, become more substantive, and more effective. To date, Vietnam has official diplomatic relations with 193 countries and territories, including 7 comprehensive strategic partners. The National Assembly maintains relations with the parliaments of over 140 countries. The Vietnam Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and people's organizations have also implemented practical foreign relations with 1,200 people's organizations and foreign partners.

Vietnam's foreign relations with other countries, especially with important partners and neighboring countries, are increasingly expanding, deepening, becoming more substantive and effective.

In addition, Vietnam has trade relations with over 200 countries and territories, and has signed bilateral trade agreements with over 100 countries, including many new-generation agreements. Economic diplomacy activities have made significant contributions to promoting economic growth, exports and imports, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI)...

On the multilateral front, with its new position and strength, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of over 70 important international organizations and forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, WTO, etc. Vietnam has also successfully organized many major international conferences and fulfilled many important international responsibilities as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the rotating Chair of ASEAN, the host of the ASEM Summit, the APEC Summit, the World Economic Forum on ASEAN…

The Level 2 Field Hospital Unit No. 4, with 51 officers and staff, successfully completed its international mission at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

Vietnam has sent hundreds of officers and soldiers to participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions, showcasing the image of a friendly, peace-loving, and humane country, ready to join hands in resolving the issues facing the international community…

Looking back over the past 49 years, we are even more proud of the glorious history of our nation as well as the tireless efforts of the entire Party, army, and people to achieve the accomplishments mentioned above. These are important foundations that help us continue to strive for even greater and more brilliant achievements, leading the country to further development and integration.