Activists in US pin hopes on Vietnam’s development after 13th National Party Congress

New York (VNA) – The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) marked a turning point helping Vietnam enter a new period of socialism.

The view was shared by US activist Merle Ratner and Professor Ngo Thanh Nhan, coordinators of an organisation mobilising aid and responsibility for Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in the US, during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in New York on February 3.

Ratner said over the past five years, Vietnam has made breakthroughs in development with many economic achievements and basically overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam now stands ready to enter a period of sustainable development, as well as the next phase of socialism, she added.

The 13th National Party Congress pointed out limitations and shortcomings, while setting out orientations to address those issues, which demonstrates democracy of socialism, the activist stressed.

Sharing Ratner’s view, Nhan said amid global uncertainties triggered by COVID-19, the congress took place at a right time to consolidate the Party and the Government in order to better care for people and facilitate the development of young generations.

Rater extended her congratulations to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on his re-election as the Party chief, and expressed her hope that elected leaders will make efforts to contain the pandemic, maintain economic growth, and bring first benefits to labourers and civilians.

She also expressed her hope that Vietnam would have a new health care system soon to benefit all people, improve its social welfare towards the poor, and continue with the fight against corruption as set at the congress.

Both Ratner and Nhan believed that Vietnam will continue to effectively combat the epidemic thanks to the Party’s leadership in combination with people’s solidarity, and recover the national economy sustainably./.