(VOVworld) – Vietnam welcomes the New Year 2017 with happiness and excitement about last year’s heartening achievements and a belief in a successful year ahead.

Firework displays on Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi to welcome the New Year

All the people of Vietnam had to overcome difficulties in 2016 to help the country advance forward. The Resolution of the 12^th National Party Congress has been realized through specific actions. The National Assembly and the government at all levels have reformed and improved their performance. The desire to build a constructive government of integrity, action, and which serves the people has been prevailing in society and the whole political system. Major economic policies have been effectively implemented, directly impacting socio-economic development. Vietnam recorded a GDP growth of 6.21% in 2016, a high rate in the region. The government’s macro-economic management and efforts to improve the business environment have helped Vietnam move up nine spots in the World Bank business environment ranking.

Last year, Vietnamese leaders organized a number of overseas visits to improve external relations with large countries and attended important international events such as the Asia-Pacific Summit, ASEAN Summit, and G7 summit showing the world that Vietnam is an active, dynamic, and responsible member who contributes to global peace, stability, security, and prosperity.

2016 marked Vietnam’s 30 years of renewal and international integration with several significant achievements. Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 187 out of 193 UN member countries, strategic partnerships with 15 countries, and comprehensive partnerships with 10 others. Vietnam has expanded its trade relations with 155 countries and attracted investment from 70 countries and territories. Vietnam signed 88 bilateral trade agreements and exported products to 220 overseas markets.

The achievements of the renewal process over the past 30 years will be the driver for Vietnam to obtain further results in 2017.