Mekong Delta region needs to closely combine socio-economic development with defense and security

Pham made the above statement while addressing the conference held in Ha Noi on December 29 to seek ways to ensure security and order in favor of socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta region - Viet Nam's largest rice hub.

He described the Mekong Delta as a region of "particularly critical strategic significance," spanning politics, economy, national defense, security, ecology, external relations, and sovereignty protection. The region also serves as Viet Nam's southern gateway and plays a key role in upholding national development and territorial integrity.

The Prime Minister highlighted major policy frameworks guiding the region, notably the Politburo's Resolution No. 13-NQ/TW, issued on April 2, 2022, on socio-economic development and defense-security safeguarding in the Mekong Delta through 2030, with a vision to 2045, alongside the Government's action plan to implement the resolution.

To fully tap into the Delta's potential, Pham called for practical and targeted solutions that both preserve cultural identity and improve livelihoods.

The Government leader urged ministries, sectors, and local governments to prioritize enhancing the material and spiritual well-being of all ethnic communities, create more jobs, resolve grassroots grievances, and eliminate conditions that could be manipulated to disrupt social stability.

The Prime Minister stressed that protecting security and public order must be a "key, urgent, and long-term political mission," and carried out under the Party's direct, absolute, and comprehensive leadership and the State's unified governance. He underscored the need to mobilize the collective strength of the entire political system—from central to grassroots levels—as well as all citizens, with heads of local Party committees and authorities bearing primary responsibility for outcomes.

He also called for tightening inter-agency coordination under the unified leadership of local Party committees and administrations, particularly at the grassroots level, where socio-economic development and security efforts must converge effectively. He also said strengthening community self-reliance in economic development and cultural preservation will be central to building long-term resilience.

Looking ahead to 2026, Pham assigned ministries and Mekong Delta localities to accelerate progress in economic, cultural, education, healthcare, and social development, while ensuring timely reporting to help address bottlenecks and emerging difficulties during implementation./.