Vietnam's GDP growth is among the highest in the region and the world.

On the afternoon of January 5, in Hanoi, the Government Office held a regular Government press conference for December 2023. Minister, Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Government Spokesperson, chaired the press conference.

Họp báo Chính phủ thường kỳ tháng 12/2023. (Ảnh: Gia Thành)

Regular Government press conference in December 2023. (Photo: Gia Thanh)

The press conference took place right after the national online conference to review the work in 2023 and deploy tasks in 2024 of the Government and local authorities under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Tran Van Son said that in December 2023, the socio-economic situation continued to recover positively and achieved many outstanding results in all fields.

Specifically, the macro economy is basically stable, inflation is under control, and major balances are guaranteed. The average consumer price index in 2023 increased by 3.25%. The money market, exchange rate, and foreign exchange are basically stable, and the interest rate level has decreased by about 2% compared to the end of 2022. The state budget deficit, indicators of public debt, government debt, and national foreign debt are lower than the permitted limit.

Economic growth in the following quarter was higher than the previous quarter, although it did not reach the set target, it was a bright spot in the global economy. Gross domestic product (GDP) for the whole year of 2023 increased by 5.05%, among the highest in the region and the world.

All three regions developed well; agriculture grew at the highest rate in over 10 years; industry recovered well; services developed vigorously, tourism recovered, welcoming 12.6 million international visitors - far exceeding the target of 8 million visitors.

At the same time, the Head of the Government Office said that development investment continued to achieve positive results. Total social investment capital increased by 6.2%; disbursement of public investment capital reached 95% of the plan, higher than the same period (91.42%); foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction reached 36.6 billion USD, up 32.1%; realized FDI capital reached 23.18 billion USD, the highest ever.

In addition, investment in developing the transport infrastructure system is promoted and is a bright spot in 2023. Institutional building and improvement is focused on; the investment and business environment and competitiveness are improved; anti-corruption, negativity and waste are promoted...

In addition, we focus on cultural development, ensuring social security, improving people's lives; all social indicators are achieved and exceeded, demonstrating the good nature of our regime. The rate of poor households according to multidimensional poverty standards decreased by 1.1% to 2.93%; the rate of health insurance participation reached 93.35%...

Political and social stability, national defense and security are maintained, social order and safety are ensured; foreign affairs and international integration are comprehensive successes and are the highlights of 2023.

The Minister emphasized: "In particular, many prestigious international organizations highly appreciate the results and prospects of our country's economy and predict that Vietnam will recover quickly in the near future. Fitch Ratings upgraded Vietnam's long-term national credit rating to BB+ (from BB), with a 'Stable' outlook. Vietnam's national brand value reached 431 billion USD, up 1 place to 32nd out of 100 strong national brands in the world..."

In addition to the above results, Minister Tran Van Son informed that the country still has difficulties and challenges that need to be overcome and resolved, such as: The world situation continues to be complicated and unpredictable; the international market is shrinking, production and business, and credit access are difficult; high-quality human resources are still limited; the lives of a part of the people are still difficult; security, order, and social safety in some areas are complicated...

Quoting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the Government Office emphasized: "2024 is a breakthrough year, of special importance in successfully implementing the 5-year Plan 2021-2025. Therefore, all levels, sectors and localities need to closely follow the Conclusions and Resolutions of the Central Committee, the National Assembly and the Government, and concretize them to implement specific goals and tasks in 2024".

The main tasks and solutions in 2024 are: Prioritizing growth promotion, maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, ensuring major balances of the economy. Promoting drastic, synchronous, substantive and effective implementation of strategic breakthroughs. Focusing on effectively and substantively restructuring the economy in association with growth model innovation, developing digital economy, green economy, circular economy, emerging industries and fields.

In addition, it is necessary to review and improve institutions, mechanisms, policies, regional linkage organizations and promote regional economic development. Strongly develop cultural and social fields, ensure social security, improve people's material and spiritual life. Strengthen resource management, protect the environment, prioritize resource allocation for preventing, combating and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, and responding to climate change.

At the same time, consolidate and strengthen national defense and security, ensure social order and safety; promote the prevention and fight against corruption, negativity and waste. Continue to comprehensively promote foreign affairs and international integration. Promote information and communication work, especially policy communication to create social consensus....

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