On the morning of June 29th, 2021, the General Statistics Office (GSO) held a press conference to announce the socio-economic statistics of the second quarter and the first six months of 2021. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, General Director chaired the press conference. At the press conference, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, announced the basic issues about the socio-economic situation of Vietnam in the second quarter and six months of 2021. Accordingly, gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2021 was estimated to increase by 6.61% over the same period last year, higher than the growth rate of 0.39% in the second quarter of 2020 but lower than the growth rate of 6.73% of the second quarter of 2018 and 2019. Generally for the first 6 months of 2021, GDP increased by 5.64%, higher than the growth rate of 1.82% in the first 6 months of 2020 but lower than the growth rate of 7.05% and 6.77% of the same period in 2018 and 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic that broke out in a number of localities across the country from the end of April with complicated and unpredictable evolvement has posed many challenges and risks for our country in realizing the dual goal of “both prevention and control pandemic and economic development”. The growth results in the first 6 months of the year show the drastic direction and management of the Government and the Prime Minister; the joint effort and consensus of the political system, the business community, the people of the country and the frontline force against the pandemic to control the pandemic, carry out tasks and solutions for socio-economic development in 2021.

          Some major socio-economic indicators in 6 months of 2021 are as follows:

          – Gross domestic product (GDP): + 5.64%

          – Index of industrial production (IIP): + 9.3%

          – Number of newly established enterprises: 67,081 enterprises

          – Gross retail sales of consumer goods and services: + 4.9%

          – Realized investment capital: + 7.2%

          – Total export turnover of goods: + 28.4%

          – Total import turnover of goods: + 36.1%

          – Trade surplus: 1.47 billion USD

          – International visitors to Vietnam: -97.6%

          – Average consumer price index: + 1.47%

          – Core inflation: + 0.87%

          – Labour force at 15 years of age and above: 51 million people

          – Employed population at 15 years of age and above: 49.9 million people

          – Unemployment rate of labour force at working age: 2.52%

          – Underemployment rate of labour force at working age: 2.58%

In the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, which is still complicated, however, the socio-economic picture of Vietnam in the first 6 months of 2021 continued to remain stable and achieve positive results in many areas due to the timely, drastic, and very close direction and management of the Government, the Prime Minister and the efforts of all levels, branches, localities, the business community and the people. Agencies, both central and local, have performed well and effectively in epidemic prevention and control, establishing a Vaccine Fund for Covid-19 Prevention and Control to receive, manage and use aid sources. Supporting the purchase and self-research, vaccine production, and free vaccinations for people to be determined to achieve the highest possible socio-economic goals in 2021. The economy maintained a growth rate of 5.64%, which was quite a growth rate compared to other countries in the region and the world. The macro-economy was stable, low-level inflation controlled. The supply and demand of domestic goods were guaranteed, and goods procurement, consumption, and export activities increased. The area of agriculture, forestry, and fishery had a relatively high growth rate, confirming that the restructuring of the industry has brought into play effectively, ensuring the supply of food, food, and essential goods. The processing and manufacturing industry continued to play an important role in promoting economic growth in the first six months of 2021. The progress of disbursement of public investment capital has improved markedly, and the growth rate of investment capital realized under the State budget has reached a high level. Labor and employment in the first six months in 2021 were maintained compared to the same period last year, the unemployment rate in working age and the average income of salaried employees remained stable; social security was taken care of.