1- Historic landmarks:

The Communist Party of Vietnam was established on February 3^rd 1930, marking a great turning point in Vietnam's revolution history. Under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam's Revolution has achieved victories after victories. Revolution succeeded in August 1945 and President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Independence on September 2^nd 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam was liberated following the victory of the first Resistance War against the French colonialists (1946-1954), marking the collapse of the colonialism all over the world. Southern Vietnam was liberated and Vietnam was reunified after the victory of the second Resistance War against the American imperialists (1954-1975). The whole country entered an era of national independence and socialism.

The renewal process was launched at the 6^th Congress of the CPV (Dec 1986). The 7th, 8^th and 9^th Congresses (1991, 1995 and 2001 respectively) reviewed achievements and lessons, clarifying major issues in this process.

2- Vietnam's achievements since 1986: Consistently following the renewal and open-door policy since 1986, Vietnam has recorded great achievements in all fields: high economic growth, improved living standards, political and social stability, foreign relation expansion and enhanced international position.

Economic growth has averaged 7.5% annually (ranking second in Asia). Economic structure has undergone a positive shift: the share of industry and services has increased; that of agriculture has dropped.

Annual investment amounts to 36% of GDP. Over 100 TNCs are now operating in Vietnam. Vietnam is seen as a potential destination for international investors and businessmen.

Import and export turnover has increased in consecutive years and exceeded GDP. Annual growth amounts to 20%. Vietnam is a major exporter of agricultural products such as rice, coffee and pepper, etc.

Since the Enterprise Law was adopted in 2000, over 150,000 enterprises have been established with the total registered capital of 15 billion, accounting for 27% of the total investment. These enterprises have contributed 10 billion USD to the economy and created 6 million jobs.

Vietnam is removing barriers and creating an equal playing field for all enterprises. Together with the equitization process, the Government has created favorable conditions for the private sector to do business in used-to-be-restricted fields such as electricity, cement and insurance. Competition Law is being completed. Monopoly is restricted in order to create an equal environment for competition in accordance with international standards.

To enhance economic competitiveness, the legal system has been improved in accordance with international standards. In 2005, the National Assembly will consider and adopt the Unified Enterprise and Investment Law.

The Government pays great attention to developing and stabilizing financial and banking sector in order to stabilize macro-economy. Security, foreign exchange and monetary markets have been established and are now integrating into international financial market. 31 branches of 24 foreign banks, 4 joint-venture banks and 6 state commercial banks are now operating in Vietnam.

According to WTO, Vietnam's tourism industry has recorded the highest growth rate in the region and the world. International arrivals have increased 9 times between 1990 and 2000, from 250,000 to 2,050,000. Domestic tourists have increased 11 times, from 1 million to 11 million. Tourism turnover has increased 13 times from 1,350 billion VND to 17,400 billion VND. Between 2001 and 2005, tourism witnessed a double-digit growth both in terms of infrastructure development and number of arrivals. Tourism turnover amounts to over 1 billion USD per year, equivalent to 4% of GDP.

Vietnam has spent over one third of social investment on poverty reduction, human resource development, education and training, science and technology, health care and culture, etc. After 60 years, Vietnam's health indicators are now better than those in countries of the same GDP per capita. Human Development Index has increased over the past 20 years. Average life expectancy is 71.

Living standards have been improved in rural and urban areas, delta and mountainous areas. Almost all social development targets have been met: creating over 1.5 million jobs, doubling GDP per capita between 1995 and 2003.

Vietnam has successfully realized the 2001-2005 National Programme on Poverty Reduction and Hunger Elimination. Poverty incidence dropped from 17.2% in 2001 (about 2.8 million poor households) to 8.3% in 2004 (about 1.44 million households). It is expected that the poverty incidence will decrease to 5% at the end of 2005.

Over the past years, Vietnam has renewed its political and legal systems. Its political regime and legal systems have been incessantly improved with a view to establishing a law-governed state.

At present, Vietnam has 553 printed newspapers, including 157 journals and 396 magazines with more than 713 publications and about 1,000 bulletins. Regarding radio and television stations, Vietnam has one national television station, 4 regional televisions; 64 provincial radio and television stations; 50 electronic newspapers, about 2,500 web pages with over 13,000 reporters, editors and members of the national press association.

Human rights, including the rights to freedom of beliefs and religious practices, are respected, enshrined in the Constitution and ensured in reality. The Ordinance on Belief and Religion, coming into effect on 15 November 2004, which codified the guideline and policies of the State of Vietnam on religions and beliefs, has ensured belief and religious practices of the citizens.

The number of followers, religious practitioners as well as religious places is increasing steadily. There are about 20 million religious followers, 62,500 religious dignitaries, practitioners and 22,354 worship places and increasing number of religious seminaries. At present, Vietnam has 10 religious institutions, namely 3 Buddhist Institutes, 6 Catholic grand seminaries, 1 Protestant theology institute of the Vietnam Protestant Church and 40 religious seminaries at different levels. Religious publications, especially worship books have been published to meet the people's need.

Currently, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 168 nations in the world and had trade relations with 165 nations and territories. As the results, many bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements have been concluded. They include 80 bilateral trade agreements, 41 investment promotion and protection agreements and many others' in all cooperation fields. Vietnam is an active member of many international and regional organizations such as the UN, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM-Vietnam has accomplished bilateral negotiations with most of major WTO partners such as the EU, South Korea, Japan, India, Canada and China-Vietnam is close to WTO membership. Since the beginning of 2005, Vietnam has stepped up bilateral negotiations to complete by September 2005 and wrap up procedures for WTO accession by the end of 2005. The National Assembly and Government have actively implemented legislation reforms and economic structural shift in compliance with international trade standards and practices as well as fundamental principles of the WTO in order to accelerate its accession to the WTO.