Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Viet Nam is facing four challenges, namely ageing population, depletion of national resources, climate change, and traditional and non-traditional security matters. 

PM Pham made the above statement at his meeting with voters
in the Mekong delta Can Tho City on May 8.

As the Government chief, Pham said he will focus on surmounting challenges while calling for concerted efforts from people of all walks of life.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which is evolving complicatedly, the PM ordered subordinate levels to sustain vigilance and stay calm in designing appropriate response measures to achieve the dual goal of the pandemic containment and economic recovery.

He also called on all citizens, particularly residents in border localities to join hands in pushing back the pandemic and seriously implement preventive measures in order to protect the public’s health.

Viet Nam confirmed 78 infection cases of COVID-19 on Saturday evening, raising the national caseload to 3,230, including 241 community infection cases since April 27, 2021 when the fourth wave of local transmissions began.

Mentioning the future development orientations for the Mekong Delta, PM Pham vowed to continue implementation of Resolution No. 120 on climate-resilient and sustainable development of the region, which was adopted in 2017.

He stressed the need to design better policies and mechanisms to help the region, which is the largest agricultural production center in Viet Nam as it contributes up to 50% of national rice production, 65% of national aquaculture production and 70% of fruits of the country; 95% of national export rice and 60% of national exported fish, to fully tap its potential.

Removing institutional bottlenecks, improving infrastructure and developing high-quality workforce is key to the development of the Mekong Delta, said the PM./.