PERSONALITIES had the opportunity to attend to the official press conference which was held by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Hellenic Republic , PHAM THI THU HUONG which took place at the Embassy of Vietnam in Athens. All the invited parties, quests, SMEs, and journalists we had the opportunity to discover and to explore all the future synergies for the empowerment of our bilateral collaboration in multifactorial ways. After the press conference her Excellency PHAM THI THU HUONG, has invited us to have culinaris experience of the Vietnamese cuisine, which is built on the philosophy of balance and harmony and incorporates fresh ingredients and is widely considered one of the healthiest and most vibrant culinary traditions globally.
April 23, 2026
Press Release at the Briefing about “Viet Nam Today”
After 80 years of national foundation and nearly 40 years of reform under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Viet Nam is standing at a new historical starting point – a new era of the rise of the nation. The great and historic achievements gained during the reform process are the premise for Vietnamese people to believe in the journey ahead.
1. Achievements after 40 years of Doi Moi
In 1986, with the spirit “Doi moi” (Renewal) was launched at the sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Over the past four decades, Vietnam’s Doi moi (Renewal) process has propelled the nation through a remarkable journey of profound socio-economic transformation:
Economic achievements
– The economy has demonstrated impressive resilience and dynamism throughout its renewal. From an economy plagued by severe shortages and inflation of 774 percent at the end of 1986, Viet Nam has, after 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), become an upper-middle-income developing country with a GDP exceeding US$514 billion, GDP grew with an impressive 8.02%. This raises per capita income to USD 5,026, ranking 32nd globally. This growth has been supported by record state budget revenues and foreign investment, with the services sector as the leading contributor.
– A defining imprint of Doi Moi has been the successful shift in economic structure towards modernity with higher industrial and service ratios and lower agricultural ratio. The agro-fishery-forestry shared 11,64% in GDP in 2025, while industry, construction and services shared 37,65%.
– The modern economic zones, industrial parks, and key economic regions have developed, with increasingly positive economic and export structures. Once a country facing food shortages, Vietnam has become a major global exporter. In 2025, Vietnam recorded eight export items each earning over 10 billion USD, accounting for 70.2% of the country’s total export turnover, with electronics, computers and components leading the pack at 107.748 billion USD, followed by machinery and equipment, phones and components, and textiles and garments.
Economic achievements
– Vietnam is the world’s number one pepper exporter, controlling roughly 40–55% of the global market share; the world’s number one exporter of cashew nuts; the world’s second-largest coffee exporter; the world’s second-largest rice exporter; the world’s second-largest furniture exporter and the biggest outdoor furniture exporter; the top-five global exporter of electronics, computers, and components, securing its place as a critical hub in the global supply chain, with exports surpassing $100 billion annually; the world’s second-largest exporter of smartphones and mobile components; the 2nd place globally among major textile and garment exporters; the world’s third-largest seafood exporter…
Tourism achievements
– Tourism has emerged as a standout sector, with international arrivals increasing every year, and got a record-breaking 21.2 million foreign visitors in 2025. The country’s natural and cultural appeal has been consistently recognized, most recently with its sixth title as the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” at the 2025 World Travel Awards.
Social development
– Vietnam achieved the Millennium Development Goals on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger as early as 2006, meeting the targets 10 years ahead of the 2015 deadline. Throughout the 40 years of Doi Moi, a consistent development philosophy has been maintained, placing people at the centre of development. Economic growth has been closely linked with social progress and equity, ensuring social welfare and steadily improving living standards. Vietnam’s Human Development Index (HDI) has improved continuously, placing the country among those with medium-to-high human development globally. Notably, Vietnam has achieved significant improvements in human development without major trade-offs in inequality. The UNDP report highlights the country’s strong performance in promoting gender equality.
International integration
– From an isolated country, Viet Nam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, has a comprehensive or higher-level partnership to 43, including all the five permanent member of the UN Security Council and 18 of the 21 members of the Group of 20 (G20) and is an active member of more than 70 regional and international organizations. Viet Nam’s participation in the United Nations-led peacekeeping missions has left good impressions on a number of African nations, not just contributing to maintaining international peace and security but also assisting local residents in their daily lives.
Viet Nam – EU relations
– Vietnam – EU ties have grown stronger in recent years, with political trust steadily building and economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to drive the relationship forward.
+ On January 29, 2026, Vietnam and EU upgraded relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit to Vietnam by European Council President António Costa.
+ Both sides agreed to promote cooperation in science, technology and innovation as a new pillar of bilateral relations, particularly in fields where Europe has strengths such as science, digital transformation and connectivity.
+ Both sides committed to fully and effectively implementing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and to working towards the early completion of the ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with a view to delivering tangible benefits for businesses on both sides and encouraging high-quality EU investment flows into Vietnam.
2. Streamlining the entire political system
– In an unprecedented effort to improve efficiency and align with national development goals, since the end of 2024, Vietnam conducted a major, landmark administrative restructuring to streamline its government apparatus, reducing ministries from 22 to 14 ministries and 3 ministerial-level agencies by merging overlapping entities and cutting the public workforce. On July 1, 2025, Vietnam implemented its most comprehensive administrative restructuring in decades, moving from a 63-province system to 34 first-level administrative units (comprising provinces and centrally run cities). This “radical consolidation” aims to eliminate intermediate layers, streamline bureaucratic procedures, and accelerate decision-making, marking a shift to a two-tier local administration model (provincial and communal levels).
– This “reorganization of the country” has created a broad space for economic development, maximized the strengths of each economic region, created conditions for economically strong regions to share resources and support more disadvantaged regions, helped the system operate more smoothly, and strengthened the great national unity. It has reduced approximately 145,000 staff positions, save approximately 39,000 billion VND in recurrent expenditures annually and these resources are mobilized for social welfare, providing better care for the people, including free tuition fee for all public school students to ensure no child is left behind due to financial hardship; free annual health screenings for all citizens starting in 2026, toward a universal, free healthcare system, with plans to cover basic hospital fees via insurance by 2030…
3. The new team of leaders of the country
– From 19th to 25th January 2026 in Hanoi, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam was convened. H.E. Mr. To Lam was unanimously re-elected as the General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.
– On March 15th, 2026, nationwide, the election of the 16th National Assembly was conducted to elect 500 deputies to the 16th National Assembly for the 2026-2031 term.
– In April 2026, at the first session of the 16th National Assembly:
+ H.E Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and a member of the 16th NA was elected as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
+ H.E. Mr. Le Minh Hung, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, and a deputy to the 16th National Assembly, was elected as Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
+ H.E. Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the 15th National Assembly, Politburo member, and a deputy of the 16th legislature, was re-elected as Chairman of National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
+ H.E. Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Politburo member, a deputy of the 16th National Assembly was approved as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
4. Priorities of the Vietnam in new era
Building a socialist rule-of-law state, targeting upper middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2045, pivoting from labour-intensive manufacturing towards high-tech industries, digital transformation, and green growth, with priority polies, including:
– Top priority to the comprehensive development and improvement of institutions. It will resolutely review and amend all legal regulations; minimize administrative procedures, definitively remove bottlenecks and obstacles, and unleash all social resources. The goal is to build a streamlined, efficient, and effective government apparatus. In the spirit of a proactive and action-oriented government, each government member must “match words with deeds” govern with modern, proactive, and flexible management thinking in all situations to excellently fulfill their responsibilities to the country and the people.
– The target of achieving an average GDP growth rate of over 10% per year during the 2026-2031 period is a development imperative to realize the country’s strategic goals. The development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, focusing on digital infrastructure, AI governance was identified as a top priority breakthrough, serving as the main driving force for the rapid development.
– Shift from low-value manufacturing to high-tech sectors, including electronics and semiconductors, to increase economic productivity.
– Support domestic enterprises, promoting the leading role of the state-owned economy and making the private economy the most important driving force, encouraging innovation and participation in global value chains.
– By 2035, Viet Nam targets to attract 1,500 experts and scientists who are foreign nationals or overseas Vietnamese to work, teach, conduct research, and engage in regular or remote collaboration with Vietnamese higher education institutions and vocational education institutions.
– Commit to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
– Investing in people is the most sustainable investment in the future; allocating adequate resources to fundamentally reform education and training, develop high-quality human resources, and value talent.
– Build and develop culture to truly become a solid foundation and intrinsic strength of the nation; affirm the identity and new position of Vietnamese culture befitting a developed nation with a long-standing cultural tradition.
– Accelerate the process of reform, opening up, and comprehensive and extensive international integration. Viet Nam will remain a stable, trusted and attractive destination for foreign investors, businesses and tourists.
– Strengthen national defense and security. Consistently implement an independent and self-reliant foreign policy; promote economic diplomacy and technological diplomacy, affirming Vietnam’s new identity and position in the international arena, contributing to the building and protection of a fair and equitable international order based on international law
Viet Nam will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with international friends and partners, together we share visions, coordinate in actions for the best goals for all humanity.
5. Strengthening traditional relations with Greece
– In 2025, Vietnam and Greece celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to deepen its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Greece.
– The first exchange visit in 2026: First Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament, Ioannis Plakiotakis visited Vietnam from 28/02 to 04/03/2026.
– Priorities in promoting relations between Vietnam and Greece are emphasized at all levels meetings, including:
+ Enhance political trust and expand all-around collaboration through exchanges of delegations at all levels and via various channels.
+ Bolster the economic cooperation pillar, particularly in maritime economy, shipping, logistics, renewable energy, digital transformation, green transition and innovation, import, export goods and labour issue.
+ Continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international parliamentary forums, within ASEAN–EU cooperation frameworks, and at global multilateral institutions.
+ Support for multilateralism and respect for international law, settling disputes by peaceful and diplomatic means, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation in regional and international waters.
6. Tentative schedule of the Embassy in 2026
– Enhance delegation exchanges at all levels, including high-level visit
– Strengthen relations with local governments.
– Re-connecting negotiations about: Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation; Maritime Cooperation; and MOU on labor cooperation. Now there are around 1500 Vietnamese workers in Greece.
– Keep organizing the roundtables, workshops to connect businesses to businesses of the two countries, especially in indoor, outdoor furniture products, timber and wood materials
– Attend Festivals, Exhibitions, including Athens Coffee Festival 2026…
– Together with the ASEAN Embassies in Athens to organize the ASEAN Plus Friends Bazaar from 9-10 May 2026
– Organize the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition from 24 – 26 June in Athens
– Invite artists delegations from Vietnam to Greece to perform traditional music and dances.
– Promoting Vietnamese cuisine: spring-rolls, Phở, Vietnamese Bread (Bánh mì)…
PERSONALITIES
Lena Kyropoulos