Agriculture holds significant contributions to 2021 economic growth: PM
Agriculture, farmers, and rural areas have made important contributions in various aspects to stabilising macroeconomics, ensuring major balances, sustaining growth, and boosting economic recovery in 2021 when the economy faces serious COVID-19-induced impacts, stated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a conference held in Hanoi on December 29.
Hanoi (VNA) – Agriculture, farmers, and ruralareas have made important contributions in various aspects to stabilisingmacroeconomics, ensuring major balances, sustaining growth, and boostingeconomic recovery in 2021 when the economy faces serious COVID-19-inducedimpacts, stated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a conference held in Hanoi onDecember 29.
The conference, run by the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment, reviewed the operations of the sector in 2021 and kicked off plansset for 2022.
In his speech at the event, Chinh praised the sector forovercoming difficulties and flexibly adapting to challenges from naturaldisasters, diseases, and supply chain disruptions to meet its yearly targets.
In 2021, the sector saw its added value increasing by 2.9percent, forest coverage rate reaching 42.02 percent, and export turnoverhitting 48.6 billion USD.
The PM also pointed to such shortcomings asdevelopment, particularly of marine economy, yet to be on par with potential; inadequateattention to tackling climate change impacts; weak post-harvest processingcapacity; undiversified export markets; and a lack of breakthrough policies toattract more investment; among others.
Ordering these issues to be thoroughly addressed, Chinhagreed with the sector’s goals and solutions earmarked for 2022. Accordingly, nextyear, the sector will strive to achieve a growth rate of 2.8 - 2.9 percent;production value growth rate of 2.9 - 3.0 percent; total export turnover ofabout 49 billion USD; and forest cover rate of 42 percent.
The PM requested the sector to conduct effective COVID-19prevention and control, mobilise all resources serving sustainable agriculturaldevelopment, make prompt supply – demand and market predictions, develop morenational products, and boost production capacity, among others.
Chinh highlighted the importance of developing a sustainablemaritime economy, having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” removed,and strengthening forest management, protection and development. It is alsonecessary to focus on digital transformation in agriculture, restructuring thesector toward sustainability, and boosting people’s living standards, he added.
At the conference, on behalf of Party and State leaders, Chinhpresented gifts to individuals with outstanding contributions to theagricultural sector and to the overall cause of national construction anddefence./.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the global largest agriculture innovation network, has implemented more than 100 projects in 40 provinces in Vietnam in the last five years with an investment of 24 million USD, benefitting more than 24 million people.
Vietnam's aquaculture output is estimated at 4.75 million tonnes this year, rising by some 4.17 percent from 2020, according to the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
