On the afternoon of October 26, the National Assembly continued its group discussions on the socio-economic landscape. Speaking during the session, General Secretary To Lam noted that Vietnam has made significant efforts in 2024. Reflecting on the entire term, this has been the most developmental year.

Looking back 40 years since the Renovation period, when the country struggled with post-war hardship and sanctions, Vietnam now holds an increasingly prominent position, with a better quality of life for its citizens. Former General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong often remarked, "we have every right to be proud of this."

However, General Secretary To Lam also cautioned, "there are real concerns," urging everyone to focus on concrete goals and actions.

He stressed that economic and social development must be sustainable, with tangible benefits reaching the people. "Our highest goal is to ensure a better standard of living for the people."

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm
General Secretary To Lam speaking during the group session on October 26. Photo: Pham Thang

While recent growth metrics and foreign currency reserves have been promising, General Secretary Lam observed that if resources were better utilized, outcomes could be even more remarkable. Compared to neighboring countries, Vietnam's labor productivity remains relatively low. He pointed out that higher productivity would mitigate concerns about unemployment or lack of work and could even reduce working hours.

According to General Secretary Lam, essential sectors in the economy must be developed, while relying on land revenue and foreign direct investment (FDI) is only a short-term solution.

People desire prosperity and a healthy living environment; sustainable development requires environmental protection.

He noted that some provinces are thriving but are vulnerable if a major project withdraws, resulting in negative growth or an inability to recover. Therefore, beyond short-term indicators, sustainable development is crucial.

In healthcare and education, General Secretary Lam expressed satisfaction with recent improvements but acknowledged they are "not yet fully substantive."

"Every citizen should be able to visit a hospital for a checkup at least once. Is this feasible? Some elderly people, 60-70 years old, have never had their blood pressure checked, or their hearing and vision tested. What about those in remote areas who have to travel to cities for medical care?" he questioned, stressing the importance of achieving real impact for the people.

He cited the deployment of electronic health records as a valuable initiative, providing critical data on regional health issues, which aids in planning for medical personnel, facilities, and pharmaceutical needs.

In education, he highlighted the importance of universal secondary education. "Every child of school age should attend school, with adequate facilities, teachers, and support to make universal education a reality." This responsibility, he asserted, lies with the entire political system, not solely the education sector, warning that "indifference from officials harms the people."

On combating waste, General Secretary Lam acknowledged the issue's urgency. "When citizens question us about idle land assets, calling them invaluable, why have they sat idle for decades? Who is accountable? If a business doesn't act, we must repossess according to the law," he remarked, emphasizing the need for responsibility and accountability.

He referenced flood control projects in Ho Chi Minh City that have spanned two terms without resolving the flooding issue, despite state investment. "Leaving projects unfinished is still a violation, whether due to embezzlement or waste," he asserted.

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General Secretary To Lam underscores the importance of staying competitive globally. Photo: Pham Thang

General Secretary Lam also mentioned two state-funded hospitals in Ha Nam that have remained unused for over a decade, while private enterprises would have already recouped their investments.

The challenge of "having funds but not spending them" also came up as he cited that only 50% of allocated funds had been disbursed by the end of September, with only a few months left in the year. He expressed frustration over the obstacles stalling the national target program, urging, "Why all these holdups? We create the regulations, so why are we making it so hard for ourselves? Address issues one by one, and resolve them," he insisted, emphasizing the need for cooperation and a proactive approach.

General Secretary Lam noted the rapid development of countries like Ireland, where his recent state visit showed him the impact of core, digital, and biotechnology industries. Today, many global technology giants have established a presence in Ireland.

This experience reaffirmed his concerns about Vietnam's pace in comparison, concluding that "with the speed of global progress, we cannot afford to fall behind."

Tran Thuong