On December 22, the Government’s Party Committee held a conference at the Government Headquarters to announce the Prime Minister’s decisions on personnel appointments. Politburo member, Secretary of the Government’s Party Committee, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the event.

Handing over the appointment decision to the Acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated comrade Le Manh Hung on being entrusted by the Party and State with the heavy responsibility of leading the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). The Prime Minister emphasized that the MoIT is a multi-sectoral ministry serving as a vital pillar of the national economy, pioneering and spearheading the development of the country's industry, trade, and services.

The Prime Minister emphasized that comrade Le Manh Hung is a seasoned official with over 27 years of experience. He is recognized for his solid professional training, strong political mettle, strategic vision, and innovative mindset, complemented by extensive practical experience in both state management and corporate governance.

Throughout his career, has consistently proven to be an exemplary and dedicated leader, demonstrating decisiveness and resolve in fulfilling his assigned mandates. He has served as a nucleus of solidarity, fostering a unity of will and action within the leadership collectives where he has served.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that since the beginning of the current term, the oil and gas sector, specifically this major corporation has maintained its unique and specialized characteristics, even while operating under the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC).

Having devoted significant time to directly working with and closely monitoring the operations of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (now the Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group), the Prime Minister shared that the group had to navigate numerous complex and formidable challenges throughout the term. Despite these initial hurdles, under the leadership of comrade Le Manh Hung as Chairman of the Board of Members, the group has steadily achieved stability and robust growth.

“Since comrade Le Manh Hung assumed the chairmanship, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has developed stably. Most notably, it has stabilized its operations, remedied legacy issues, and achieved highly positive growth milestones,” the Prime Minister stated.

“Since comrade Le Manh Hung assumed the chairmanship, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has maintained stable development. This began with stabilizing the situation and rectifying legacy issues, leading to highly positive growth results,” the Prime Minister expressed.

It can be affirmed that the Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group (Petrovietnam) is a multinational corporation deeply integrated into global value chains. “We take immense pride in Petrovietnam as it marks 50 years of construction and development,” he said. While these achievements are attributed to the support of the Government, its leaders, and various ministries, the Prime Minister emphasized that the core drivers were the spirit of self-reliance, resilience, and the internal solidarity and unity within the entire group. Notably, since comrade Le Manh Hung took office as Chairman, the results attained have been clear and concrete, characterized by tangible products and a distinctive hallmark.

Prior to serving as Chairman of the Board of Members of Petrovietnam Le Manh Hung held a position at the Government Office before moving on to various senior leadership and management roles within the oil and gas industry. His appointment as Acting Minister, at the helm of the Industry and Trade sector reflects the profound trust and high expectations of the Party and State in both his personal leadership and the future development of the Ministry and the Industry and Trade sector.

The Prime Minister affirmed that in recent years, the Industry and Trade sector has matured and grown significantly, attaining outstanding achievements and making pivotal contributions to national construction and development. He emphasized that these shared accomplishments bear the distinctive imprint of comrade Nguyen Hong Dien.

As Minister and head of the sector, comrade Nguyen Hong Dien demonstrated strong mettle, strategic vision, and exceptional leadership. Alongside the Ministry’s leadership collective, he steered the sector through numerous challenges and hardships, effectively implementing the nation’s economic development and international integration strategies within the new global context.

The previous term was an exceptionally challenging period, particularly for the Industry and Trade sector, as industrial production along with the nation's industrialization and modernization efforts were heavily impacted.

During the COVID-19 years, marked by “stay-at-home” mandates, production faced severe hurdles, services stagnated, and trade suffered from major supply chain disruptions. Nevertheless, the Industry and Trade sector persevered, effectively executing the nation's economic development and international integration strategies within the emerging landscape.

“During the current term, we have successfully signed a trade agreement with the UAE. Recently, MERCOSUR has also agreed to include trade negotiations with Vietnam in its work agenda; since the beginning of this year, both sides have exchanged negotiation documents. Furthermore, we are actively promoting negotiations with Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Middle East,” the Prime Minister stated.

On behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister highly commended and acknowledged the dedicated contributions of comrade Nguyen Hong Dien. He expressed his hope and confidence that in his new capacity as Deputy Secretary of the National Assembly's Party Committee, comrade Dien would continue to leverage his expertise and strengths, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Industry and Trade sector in the cause of national construction and development.

The Prime Minister noted that in the coming period, the mission and requirements for the Industry and Trade sector would be arduous yet noble. He urged comrade Le Manh Hung to continue upholding and building upon the fine achievements painstakingly established by his predecessors, while maintaining the spirit of solidarity and unity to ensure the sector's continuous and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister urged comrade Le Manh Hung to continue learning from and building upon the experiences and achievements of previous generations. He emphasized the need to foster solidarity and unity within the Ministry’s leadership to focus on implementing the “Six Pioneering Pillars” for the Industry and Trade sector. Spearheading the nation's industrialization and modernization; leading rapid, sustainable, digital, and green development; pioneering the diversification of markets, products, and supply chains, while deepening integration into global value chains; championing the fight against waste, corruption, and negativity, while declaring war on counterfeit goods, smuggling, and trade fraud; cultivating a “clean and strong” workforce that is both “politically firm and professionally proficient;” advancing decentralization and the delegation of power, coupled with effective resource allocation, enhanced enforcement capacity, and intensified administrative reform and supervision.

The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the Acting Minister of Industry and Trade will continue to capitalize on his vast experience, capabilities, and strengths to drive the sector toward rapid and sustainable growth. This includes aiming for double-digit growth to help realize the nation’s economic targets in the new phase. He expected the Acting Minister to achieve significant breakthroughs, leave lasting imprints, and elevate the sector to new heights, contributing vitally to national construction and development in the new era.

The Government remains committed to accompanying and facilitating all favorable conditions for the sector. The Prime Minister also called upon ministries, agencies, and localities to coordinate closely, ensuring that the Acting Minister and the Ministry’s leadership successfully fulfill the noble tasks entrusted to them by the Party, State, and people.