Scene of the meeting (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang made the statement at a meeting in Hanoi on Monday to prepare for a conference reviewing and adjusting the census implementation plan.

The survey is particularly important because it’s being conducted in the first year of the 2026–2030 socio-economic development strategy, aiming to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the economy to support evaluation, planning, and management of socio-economic development policies.

According to a report by the General Statistics Office, most key preparatory tasks have been completed, including defining information needs covering 436 statistical indicators; issuing guiding documents and census plans; compiling the list of survey units for phase one; developing survey questionnaires, guidance materials and data collection software; and organising training for census personnel.

Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang speaks at the meeting. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Mr Thang said that under the revised plan, data collection in phase one will conclude by March 10, while phase two will run from March 1 to April 30. Preliminary results are expected to be released before June 30.

“It is necessary to review and finalise survey documents and software to promptly guide ministries, sectors and localities, ensuring early completion of data collection. We must use IT and AI technologies to identify industry codes and monitor progress in real time to improve the speed and accuracy of data collection,” he said.