Vietnam capable of surmounting challenges to sustainable growth: Party Chief

THE HANOI TIMES — Amid rising trade tensions and tariff barriers, Vietnam is poised to overcome challenges, protect its people's livelihoods, and meet its economic growth targets.

Party General Secretary To Lam expressed this determination at a meeting with voters in Hanoi's No. 1 constituency, covering Dong Da, Ba Dinh, and Hai Ba Trung districts, on April 17, ahead of the 9th National Assembly's 15th session.

He said that recent challenges have deeply impacted the economy and livelihoods. Since early 2025, a complex global situation, marked by intensified export competition, rising trade barriers, protectionist tariffs, policy shifts in major economies, and political instability, has led many countries to tighten monetary policies, affecting the global economy, including Vietnam.

The US imposition of high import tariffs on Vietnamese goods will take its toll on exports, manufacturing, and employment. In response, Vietnam must proactively improve the quality of its goods, comply with international standards, and strengthen its trade defense capacity to protect the legitimate interests of businesses, workers, and the national economy.

"This struggle will certainly remain complicated, but we have what it takes to adapt," the Party chief said, emphasizing that opportunities often arise amid challenges. The country must reassess its strategies, programs, products, and production methods to ensure that the economy is resilient, prepared, and not caught off guard or overly dependent.

With an open economy and a top 20 global trade position, Vietnam needs to boost domestic production and consumption, diversify export markets, and avoid over-reliance on a single market. "We are fully capable of meeting these challenges, not only to maintain a normal standard of living, but also to sustain our economic growth targets," he affirmed.

The Party chief stressed that the economy must grow by over 8% in 2025, despite expected difficulties. After the 14th Party Congress, growth should accelerate further, aiming for double-digit expansion to meet the set targets.

Lam said that Hanoi, as the country's key economic hub, can achieve the 8% GRDP growth target, thus contributing significantly to the country's overall economic performance.

"Hanoi has been actively undertaking comprehensive administrative reforms and remains one of the national leaders in digital transformation," he said.

Building on this progress, the Party General Secretary called upon Hanoi to continue accelerating the digital transformation of public services to better serve its citizens. He also urged the city to effectively implement plans to tackle pollution, expand green spaces through tree planting, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure that residents directly benefit from these efforts.

Responding to voters' concerns about personnel during administrative restructuring, the General Secretary emphasized that this is a critical issue. The restructuring process must ensure that civil servants are competent, visionary, and committed to serving the people. "The civil service is not a haven," he said.

On the issue of vacant public land and government offices after mergers, To Lam assured that waste would not be tolerated. He noted that many wards face a shortage of land for schools, so unused offices could be renovated for educational or health purposes, or repurposed as venues for cultural and community sports activities.

Expressing his sincere gratitude and full appreciation for the sincere, thoughtful and responsible opinions of the voters from the three districts, reflecting their strong attachment to the capital and the nation, Lam expressed his hope that Hanoi's citizens will continue to actively and constructively contribute their views to the building of the government and join hands to develop the capital into a heritage city with greater civility and modernity.