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Dear readers,

The 13th National Party Congress, the most anticipated event on Vietnam’s political calendar this year,
was held between January 25 and February 1. Among many other things, it approved the 2021-2025
socio-economic development plan and the strategy for the country’s development over the course of
the next decade, with visions to 2030 and 2045, by which time Vietnam is to be a developing country
with modern industry and high middle incomes and a developed high-income country, respectively. A
200-member Party Central Committee, including 20 alternate members, was also elected. The new
Party Central Committee, at its first plenary within the framework of the congress, voted on its
Secretariat and Politburo - the country’s most powerful body.

The new strategy for national development and new leadership will certainly pave the way to a new era
of development in Vietnam, starting with a new vision and new driver.

The 2021-2030 strategy for socio-economic development consists of, among other things, three key
breakthroughs: reforming institutions with a focus on improving socialist-oriented market economy
institutions; developing human resources, innovation, creativity, and science-technology; and
strengthening infrastructure.

Vietnam’s human resources must be trained and qualified so the country has a workforce able to meet
the requirements of Industry 4.0 and the digital revolution. New systems and attitudes must be created
that help harness and enhance Vietnam’s human potential by partnering this with technology and AI.
One of the biggest concerns for human resources in Vietnam, however, is how they can add value and
to what extent have they been affected by Covid-19.

Our Cover Story for this February issue looks at human resources demand while also reporting on the
negative impact the pandemic has had on the human resources market. In such a crucial context, FDI
enterprises must find a way to meet their needs for skilled staff.

There have been positive signs regarding economic recovery since December, though Covid-19 is
still making its presence felt. As recovery pushes ahead, demand for workers, especially medium- to
highly-qualified workers, is certain to rise. We delve into this rising demand and the sectors likely to
attract more skilled workers and why, while interviews with industry insiders shed light on the
issues at hand.

Vietnam will celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in mid-February and welcome in
the Year of the Buffalo, which is traditionally considered a symbol of health, wealth, and good fortune.

May the Year of the Buffalo be a happy, healthy, wealthy and lucky year for everyone!
A happy Tet to you all.

DR. CHU VAN LAM
Editor-in-Chief