Ramla Khalidi, UNDP resident representative in Việt Nam.

Ramla Khalidi*

As Việt Nam enters a new development term under new leadership, it does so from a position of strength and with a clear sense of ambition for the future.

The Government has set ambitious goals: sustaining high economic growth, becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2045, while transitioning toward a green, innovative and highly productive economy. These aspirations are an indicator of Việt Nam’s future-facing leadership in a world marked by rapid change and growing uncertainty.

At UNDP, our expectations for Việt Nam are aligned with this national vision. Over the past year, forward-looking policy directions have laid a strong foundation, from advancing science, technology and innovation to strengthening governance and public administration, improving education and health systems, deepening global integration and facilitating private sector development.

These efforts are not isolated. Collectively, they map out a pathway for the country’s next phase of development.

Central to this vision, Việt Nam’s leaders have articulated a simple but powerful principle: development must serve people. People are both the root and the ultimate goal of progress. Economic growth, policy reform and innovation must ultimately translate into better lives – decent jobs, improved public services and opportunities for all.

A clear path for sustainable growth

This people-centred approach will also guide UNDP’s next Country Programme for Việt Nam. As we prepare our new five-year framework, we are aligning closely with national priorities, the United Nations Cooperation Framework and UNDP’s global Strategic Plan. Our focus will be on four interconnected areas.

First, we will work to strengthen institutions so that policies are more effective and public services more responsive to people’s needs.

Next, priority will be placed on supporting climate action and environmental protection, ensuring that both people and ecosystems can thrive in the face of increasing climate risks.

Advancing economic transformation by promoting innovation, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and expanding green jobs will also be crucial to this effort.

And finally, investing in inclusive human development so that all people, especially those most at risk of being left behind, can access quality health care, education and social protection throughout their lives.

These priorities reflect a shared commitment: to deliver practical, lasting results that improve lives at scale.

Việt Nam’s growing role

Việt Nam’s role is not only national; it is increasingly regional and international. In a complex world shaped by economic volatility, climate change and shifting geopolitical dynamics, Việt Nam has remained a strong and consistent advocate for multilateralism and international cooperation.

Underpinning this commitment is a deep appreciation that many of the challenges facing the world can only be addressed through cooperation and mutual understanding.

At the same time, Việt Nam’s development journey offers valuable lessons for others. Take poverty reduction, for example. Few countries have reduced poverty as rapidly and effectively as Việt Nam, and that means many nations are looking to it for insights on inclusive growth, economic transformation and resilience.

But that is far from the only area where Việt Nam can share important development lessons. From integrating climate adaptation into local planning through resilient housing and mangrove restoration to linking mine action with sustainable livelihoods, Việt Nam has shown how development solutions can be both practical and people-centred.

The country is also making important strides in inclusive leadership. With women now holding 30 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, Việt Nam demonstrates that representation can translate into stronger, more inclusive policymaking. Evidence shows that when women lead, economies perform better and development outcomes are more sustainable.

These experiences position Việt Nam not only as a beneficiary of development cooperation, but as a valuable partner and contributor — sharing knowledge, advancing South–South cooperation and helping shape solutions to common challenges.

Looking ahead, the partnership between Việt Nam and UNDP will continue to evolve, grounded in trust, aligned with national priorities and focused on tangible impact.

This is a moment of opportunity. With strong leadership, clear direction and a steadfast commitment to people, Việt Nam is well placed to turn its ambition into reality and to offer inspiration far beyond its borders. VNS

* Ramla Khalidi is UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam