Hue City Party Secretary Nguyen Dinh Trung (third from the left) inspects key projects in the city.

A term marked by courage, ambition, and historic decisions.

The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam concluded in a unique context. Never before has the country simultaneously faced so many major, complex, and unprecedented challenges as in the 2021-2025 period. The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the global economic downturn, increased strategic competition among major powers, non-traditional security challenges, climate change, and extreme natural disasters... all presented problems without ready-made solutions. It was precisely in these difficult times that the leadership qualities, governing capacity, and fighting spirit of the Party were further tempered, affirmed, and shone brightly.

With the unwavering resolve to "never retreat in the face of difficulties," the entire Party, people, and army have joined forces to implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress with innovative thinking, decisive action, and a spirit of taking responsibility for the national interest. The achievements are not only reflected in growth figures, but more importantly, in the sustainability of the development foundation, the strengthening of social confidence, and the opening of new development opportunities for the country in the medium and long term.

This term has marked a significant step forward in macroeconomic development. Average GDP growth for the period 2021-2025 reached approximately 6.3% per year, among the highest in the region and the world . The size of the economy is estimated to exceed US$510 billion in 2025, with GDP per capita around US$5,000, officially placing Vietnam in the group of upper-middle-income countries. Behind these figures lies a tremendous effort in governance, maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, ensuring major balances, and gradually improving the quality of growth.

The three strategic breakthroughs continue to be implemented synchronously, substantively, and in depth. The development institutions are being gradually improved towards strong decentralization and delegation of power, removing bottlenecks and unlocking resources. Socio-economic infrastructure has made breakthrough progress, with a series of key transportation projects, digital infrastructure, and logistics infrastructure, creating a foundation for regional connectivity and long-term development. Human resources, especially high-quality human resources, are receiving increasing investment, linked to reforms in education, training, and science and technology.

Within this overall picture, agriculture continues to affirm its role as the "pillar" of the economy, shifting strongly towards ecological, green, and circular approaches; the new rural areas become a bright spot of social stability and sustainable development. In particular, from 2025 onwards, the thinking on private sector economic development will be elevated, being affirmed as "the most important driving force of the economy," opening up new development opportunities for modern productive forces.

The Hue Festival continues to promote and spread Vietnamese culture throughout the world.

The foundation of social consensus

A prominent feature of the 13th National Congress term was the clear shift in awareness and action regarding cultural and human development, and ensuring social progress and equity. Development is measured not only by growth rate, but also by the quality of life, the level of happiness, and the satisfaction of the people.

Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) has improved significantly, rising 14 places to 0.766 points, placing it among the countries with a high level of human development. The happiness index has also increased by 33 places compared to the beginning of the term. These figures reflect the correctness of the policy of linking economic growth with comprehensive human development, considering people as both the goal and the driving force of development.

Social security continues to be a solid pillar in policy management. The multidimensional poverty rate has decreased sharply, from 4.4% in 2021 to approximately 1.3% in 2025. By September 2025, the whole country will have basically completed the elimination of temporary and dilapidated housing, an achievement of profound humanitarian significance, demonstrating the spirit of "leaving no one behind". Social housing policies are being promoted with the goal of building at least 1 million apartments, along with the establishment of a National Housing Fund, creating a foundation for ensuring sustainable housing security.

Education and training have made significant progress, particularly with the policy of waiving or subsidizing tuition fees for preschool and primary school children, contributing to reducing the burden on the people, especially in disadvantaged areas. Healthcare continues to be strengthened, with health insurance coverage reaching over 95%, and average life expectancy increasing to 74.8 years. These results demonstrate the State's focused and targeted investment in social welfare and quality of life.

National defense and security continue to be maintained, creating a peaceful and stable environment for development. The all-people national defense and people's security, linked with the "people's support," are increasingly consolidated. Foreign relations and international integration have achieved many outstanding results, and Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena are constantly being enhanced, opening up new opportunities for national development.

A revolutionary milestone, paving the way for a new era of development.

If the entire term of the 13th National Congress was a journey of overcoming difficulties and making breakthroughs, then 2025 is a pivotal year, marking historically significant decisions that will shape the long-term development of the country.

Most notably, the revolution in streamlining and reorganizing the political system's structure was significant. With strategic vision and strong political determination, the Party led the synchronized implementation of administrative boundary adjustments, reorganizing local governments into a two-tiered model, eliminating the district level, and merging large-scale provincial and commune-level administrative units. This was the largest-scale reform in modern history, completed five years ahead of schedule, creating a more streamlined, efficient, and effective administrative structure.

The important thing is not just to reduce bureaucracy and streamline staffing, but to fundamentally change the methods of leadership, governance, and service to the people. The new system should operate smoothly, be closer to the people and the grassroots, reduce intermediate levels, expand the space for decentralization and delegation of power, and promote the initiative and creativity of localities. This is the "institutional leverage" that will pave the way for development in the next phase.

Alongside this were unprecedented breakthroughs in Party building, especially in personnel work. For the first time, the appointment of provincial and city Party secretaries who were not from the local area was implemented synchronously nationwide; many new, strict, and transparent regulations on personnel work were issued and enforced. This not only contributed to controlling power and preventing corruption, but also built social trust and strengthened discipline within the Party.

The fight against corruption, waste, and negative practices continues to be intensified with the spirit of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions," going deeper and yielding clear results in deterrence, prevention, and building a healthy development environment. Alongside this, the improvement of institutions and laws, administrative reform, and the promotion of national digital transformation have created fundamental changes in state management and services for citizens and businesses.

Therefore, 2025 is not only the year of "ending the term," but also the year of "opening a new phase." The revolutionary decisions issued and implemented in this year have laid a solid foundation for the country to enter a new era of development, an era of strategic autonomy, national self-reliance, and a strong aspiration for progress.

Looking back at the 13th National Congress term, it can be affirmed that the achievements are the culmination of the wisdom, courage, and unity of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army. These are not just the achievements of one term, but also important preparations for the country to steadily move forward, realizing the goals by 2030 and the vision to 2045, for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, and happy Vietnam.

Text and photos: QUANG SANG

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/xay-dung-dang/tu-ban-linh-vuot-kho-den-nhung-quyet-sach-lich-su-162030.html