Top 10 events in Vietnam in 2022 selected by VOV

1. Economy recovers quickly, with GDP growth among highest globally

Vietnam successfully weathered the COVID-19 crisis and unexpected global complications in order to maintain its macroeconomic stability and ensure major national balances for the local economy. Among the major indicators, GDP growth is expected to reach between 7.5 – 8%, inflation to be controlled at 3.1 – 3.3%, and total import – export turnover to rise to about US$750 billion, up 12.18%.

2. Top leaderships make decisions of strategic importance to national development

The fifth and sixth plenums of the Party Central Committee decided on an array of important issues, such as outlining orientations of the National Master Plan for the 2021 – to 2030 period and a vision towards 2050; further promoting industrialisation and modernisation; renovating the Party’s leadership method, and building and perfecting the socialist law-governed State. Land related policies, and problems relating to agriculture, farmers, rural areas, and the collective economy were also dealt with.

The Politburo issued Resolutions on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security by 2030, with a vision towards 2045, in six regions and sub-regions across the country. The National Assembly and the Government immediately institutionalised and concretised these resolutions into specific programmes, projects, and decisions for implementation, thereby opening up plenty of opportunities for national sustainable and comprehensive development, both in the short and moving ahead into the long term future.

3. Progress seen in the fight against corruption

2022 saw the fight against corruption accelerated, particularly following the establishment of the steering board for corruption prevention and control in all 63 cities and provinces. Competent agencies investigated and prosecuted nearly 2,500 cases of various fields, including notorious ones occurring at the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Viet A Company, FLC Group, Tan Hoang Minh Group, AIC Company, and Van Thinh Phat Group. The fight duly received widespread support from people across society to help build trust in the Party and the regime.

4. Diplomacy picks up once again

With the COVID-19 pandemic being brought under control, diplomatic activities were once again vibrant. Most notably, the official visit to China from October 30 to November 1 by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was described as a great success contributing to consolidating and cementing joint relations.

Among the other important overseas trips this year were State visits to the Republic of Korea and Indonesia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, visits to the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and visits to Hungary, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Vietnam also actively and responsibly participated in regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the UN.

This year also marked the successful organisation of the Friendship Year between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

5. Vietnam elected to UN Human Rights Council

On October 11, Vietnam was elected for the second time to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023 – 2025 term, at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly held in New York, with a high number of votes. The result clearly demonstrates the international community’s recognition of the country’s strong commitments, as well as its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights. Assuming the new role, Vietnam will have the opportunity to contribute to the promotion of all human rights on the basis of objectivity, cooperation, and dialogue, ultimately better ensuring people’s rights in all fields.

6. Vietnam successfully hosts SEA Games 31

Running with the slogan of ‘For a stronger Southeast Asia’, the country successfully organised the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) from May 12 to May 23. After 14 days of competition, the host team won 205 gold, 125 silver, and 116 bronze medals to top the medal tally. The country left a good impression on participating teams for hosting a fair competition, demonstrating the noble sports spirit and solidarity among the ASEAN community.

7. A volatile year for financial-monetary and real estate markets

This year witnessed strong fluctuations in the real estate, corporate bonds, securities, and petroleum markets, all of which needed to be addressed. The stock market experienced plenty of upheavals during the year, witnessing a rallying trend in the first months of the year before shrinking considerably in the final months. Meanwhile, the petroleum market was badly impacted by global market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions which forced petrol stations in several localities to either suspend operations or cut their working time. The Government immediately intervened to help stabilise the market. It aimed to continue to resolve shortcomings drastically and decisively in 2023.

8. Shortage of medicines and medical supplies causes headache to health sector

A large number of hospitals across the country endured a shortage of drugs, chemicals, equipment ,and medical supplies for many reasons, including problems relating to procurement and competition regulations. These shortages eventually impacted the overall quality of medical examination and treatment, as well as social equality and social security. This can be viewed as a priority issue that needs to be handled by the Government, the Ministry of Health, and related ministries and sectors moving forward.

9. Building Vietnam Value systems in new era

Major events were held in response to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s conclusions at the 2021 national cultural conference to implement the Resolution of the 13th national congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Among them were a symposium, ‘The Systems of National Values, Cultural Values, Family Values and The Vietnamese Human Standard Values in the New Era’, held in Hanoi in November, and a workshop on building institutions, policies, and resources for cultural development, held in Bac Ninh in December. Taking place after the 2021 national cultural conference, these events show the determination of the Party, State, and the whole society to build an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, thereby allowing culture to boast endogenous strength, spiritual foundation, and become the driving force of the country’s wider development.

10. National digital transformation accelerated

In April the Prime Minister decided to observe October 10 every year as National Digital Transformation Day. This year has witnessed outstanding results recorded in building a digital government, a digital economy, and a digital society, as well as in e-transactions. Digital transformation have become universal, with the active participation of ministries, sectors and localities. The Party Central Committee (13th tenure), in its resolution adopted at the sixth plenum, officially considered digital transformation as a breakthrough new development method, helping to accelerate the process of national industrialization and modernization.