1. Important resolutions issued to speed up 12^th Party Congress Resolution implementation

In 2018, the Communist Party of Vietnam adopted a number of resolutions to implement key tasks set out at the 12^th National Party Congress two years ago. The resolutions dealt with improving the quality of officials, particularly at the strategic level, and Party members’ responsibility to set an example.

2. National Assembly, Government performance improved

In an effort to build a facilitating Government, the Prime Minister and his cabinet members did their best to fine-tune institutions, streamline administrative procedures, and attract investment. For the first time, the Government reported on implementation of the National Assembly’s resolutions on socio-economic development, economic restructuring, national finance, and mid-term public investment after three years instead of after every five years, as it did previously. The National Assembly’s Q&A session was short, sharp, and frank, and focused on voters’ concerns. A vote of confidence was taken for officials elected or approved by the National Assembly.

3. GDP growth rate exceeded 7%

All 12 socio-economic targets set for 2018 were met or surpassed. The GDP growth rate was a decade-high 7.08%. 2018 also saw records set in foreign reserves, exports, and export surplus. The macro economy was stabilized and inflation was kept under control. 

4. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong elected President

National Assembly deputies unanimously elected Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong President of Vietnam. The election met voters’ aspirations and will create better conditions for domestic and external affairs.

5. National Assembly ratified CPTPP

On November 12, the National Assembly ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimated that the CPTPP will raise Vietnam’s GDP by an additional 1.32% and exports by 4% by 2035. 

6. World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF-ASEAN) 2018

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN 2018) themed “ASEAN Entrepreneurship and the 4^th Industrial Revolution” drew international attention. At the forum, Vietnam shared an initiative on connecting ideas, renovation, and innovation between ASEAN and the World Economic Forum. Forum participants praised Vietnam’s initiatives on promoting ASEAN’s central role, building principles in data sharing, and setting frameworks to connect national and regional innovative incubators. Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab said WEF ASEAN 2018 was the most successful in the 27 years of the forum. There were nearly 8,000 articles written about the event, 7 million people discussed the event on social networks, and 90,000 viewers watched the event live on the WEF’s webpage.

7. Fight against corruption strengthened

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed the strong determination of the political system to fight corruption, saying there’s “No restricted area”, “No exception”, and “No safe landing”. The effort has been widely supported by Vietnam’s Party, people, and army. A number of current or former high-ranking have been punished for wrongdoings, including Tat Thanh Cang, Nguyen Bac Son, and Truong Minh Tuan.

8. National examination fraud, unsafe schools

Several education officials in Ha Giang, Son La and Hoa Binh province were caught changing national examination results to boost the scores of hundreds of students. A teacher in Quang Binh province instructed her pupils to slap a classmate 200 times. The rector of a boarding school in Phu Tho was accused of sexually abusing schoolboys without any interference or objection by the school’s teachers.

9. Extreme, unusual weather caused serious losses

Natural disasters caused losses of 850 million USD and killed 218 people this year. Many people are still missing. Torrential rain flooded fields as well as streets in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. In September torrential rains drenched northwestern provinces, causing landslides and traffic congestions.

10. Most successful year in Vietnam’s football history

2018 was a successful year for Vietnamese football, with resounding achievements in the regional arena: Winning the trophy of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, coming second at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship, and entering the semi-finals of the Asian Games (ASIAD) for the first time. These successes were the result of concerted efforts by Vietnam’s methodically-trained young players and their talented Korean head coach Park Hang-seo. They inspired national pride and solidarity among millions of Vietnamese people.