I. ECONOMIC GROWTH

  1. Gross domestic product growth rate

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated to increase by 5.22% over the same period last year, although higher than the growth rate of 4.61% in 2020 but lower than the growth rate of the fourth quarter over the same previous of years in 2011-2019. Of which: the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector increased by 3.16%; the industry and construction sector by 5.61%; the service sector by 5.42%. Regarding the GDP in use method in the fourth quarter of 2021, final consumption increased by 3.86% over the same period last year; accumulated assets increased by 3.37%; exports of goods and services increased by 14.28%; imports of goods and services increased by 11.36%.

GDP in 2021 was estimated to increase by 2.58% (the first quarter increased by 4.72%; the second quarter by 6.73%; the third quarter by 6.02%; the fourth quarter by 5.22%) over the previous year due to the Covid-19 seriously affected all areas of the economy, especially in the third quarter of 2021, many focused economic localities had to implement prolonged social distancing to prevent the Covid-19 epidemic. In the general growth rate of the whole economy, the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector increased by 2.9%, contributing 13.97% to the growth rate of total value added of the economy; the industry and construction sector increased by 4.05%, contributing 63.80%; the service sector up 1.22%, contributing 22.23%.

In the field of Agriculture, forestry, and fishery, the productivity of most crops was quite good compared to the previous year, livestock has grown steadily, and the export turnover of some agricultural products increased in 2021, contributing to maintaining the growth rate of the field. The Agricultural sector increased by 3.18%, contributing 0.29 percentage points to the growth rate of the total added value of the economy; the forestry sector up 3.88%, contributing 0.02 percentage points; the fisheries sector increased by 1.73%, contributing 0.05 percentage points.

In the industry and construction field, the processing and manufacturing sectors continued to be the economic engine with a growth rate of 6.37%, contributing 1.61 percentage points to the growth rate of total value added of the economy. The electricity production and distribution industry increased by 5.24%, contributing 0.19 percentage points. The mining industry decreased by 6.21%, down 0.23 percentage points due to the 5.7% decrease in crude oil production and 19.4% decrease in gaseous natural gas. The construction industry increased by 0.63%, contributing 0.05 percentage points.

The complicated development of the Covid-19 epidemic since the end of April has seriously affected commercial and service activities. The negative growth of some service industries accounted for a large proportion, reducing the overall growth rate of the service sector and the whole economy. The wholesale and retail industry decreased by 0.21% over the previous year, reducing 0.02 percentage points in the growth rate of the total added value of the whole economy; the transportation and warehousing industry decreased by 5.02%, decreasing by 0.3 percentage points; the accommodation and foodservice industry dropped sharply by 20.81%, down 0.51 percentage points. The health sector and social assistance activities achieved the highest growth rate in the service sector with an increase of 42.75%, contributing 0.55 percentage points; financial, banking, and insurance activities increased by 9.42%, contributing 0.52 percentage points; information and communication industry increased by 5.97%, contributing 0.36 percentage points.

Regarding the economic structure in 2021, the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector account for 12.36%; industry and construction accounted for 37.86%; service sector accounted for 40.95%; product tax minus product subsidies accounted for 8.83%.

Regarding GDP use in 2021, final consumption increased by 2.09% compared to 2020; accumulated assets increased by 3.96%; exports of goods and services increased by 14.01%; imports of goods and services increased by 16.16%.

Labor productivity of the whole economy at current prices in 2021 is estimated at 171.3 million VND/employee (equivalent to 7,398 USD/employee, an increase of 538 USD compared to 2020). At constant prices, labor productivity in 2021 increased by 4.71% due to improved qualifications of workers (the proportion of trained workers with degrees and certificates in 2021 reached 26.1%, higher than the 25.3% of 2020).

  1. Agriculture, forestry, and fishery

The agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector in 2020 took place in relatively favorable weather conditions for crops and livestock to grow and develop. However, due to the complicated development of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the third quarter, many localities have implemented social distancing, affecting the supply chain of production – processing – consumption of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. In a situation where both advantages and disadvantages were intertwined, the Agriculture sector has had many timely response solutions, together with the effective implementation of the Government’s Resolution No.128/NQ-CP to stabilize and develop production, reaching a high growth rate. The performance results of the agricultural sector in 2021 have demonstrated the role of the pedestal of the economy, ensuring the supply of food and essential goods, to be the important base to implement welfare and security during the pandemic.

a) Agriculture

Rice area in 2021 estimated at 7.24 million hectares, a decrease of 38.3 thousand hectares over the previous year due to the conversion of production structure and land use purposes; rice yield was 60.6 quintal/ha, rose by 1.8 quintals/ha; rice production was estimated at 43.88 million tons, increasing by 1.1 mill. tons.

Spring paddy

The production result of the country’s spring crop this year was quite good, although the cultivated area reached 3,006.8 thousand hectares, a decrease of 17.2 thousand hectares compared to the spring crop in 2020, the yield was high with 68.6 quintals/ha, an increase of 2.9 quintals/ha. The spring rice yield increased due to the following factors: favorable weather for rice plants to grow; changing the structure of crops in the direction of improving quality and efficiency; production and use of rice varieties with adaptability, tolerance to drought and salinity give to high yield and quality. Spring rice production reached 20.63 million tons, an increase of 755.1 thousand tons compared to the previous year’s spring crop.

Autumn paddy

The autumn paddy crop in 2021 had a good yield and production. The planted area of autumn paddy nationwide this year reached 1,954.2 thousand hectares, an increase of 9.1 thousand hectares compared to the autumn crop in 2020; yield reached 57 quintals/ha, an increase of 1.7 quintals/ha; production reached 11.14 million tons, rose 389.1 thousand tons. In which, the Mekong River Delta had production of 8.65 million tons, an increase of 183 thousand tons compared to 2020.

Autumn-winter paddy

The planted area of autumn-winter paddy in 2021 was estimated at 719.7 thousand hectares, a decrease of 4.3 thousand hectares compared to the previous year’s autumn-winter crop mainly due to the conversion to fruit trees and the chain effect from the late summer-autumn crop seeding, some fields were not enough for the production time so temporarily let the land rest, opening filed to receive alluvium to prepare for the upcoming next spring crop. The yield of the whole crop was estimated at 56.1 quintals/ha, an increase of 0.5 quintals/ha compared to the autumn-winter crop in 2020; production of 4.04 million tons, up to 9.4 thousand tons.

Winter paddy

This year’s winter paddy crop, the whole country cultivated 1,559.7 thousand hectares, a decrease of 26.1 thousand hectares compared to the previous year, mainly due to the change in land use purposes and the transformation of production structure to other annual crops or perennial crops with higher economic efficiency. With favorable weather conditions, paddy tillered fast and uniform, pests, and diseases were prevented timely so this year’s winter paddy yield increased compared to last year, estimated at 51.7 quintals/ha, an increase of 0.6 quintals/ha. Due to a decrease in the cultivated area, the total production of the whole crop was estimated at 8.07 million tons, down by 36.2 thousand tons compared to the previous year’s crop. In the northern provinces, the yield was estimated at 52.7 quintals/ha, an increase of 0.6 quintals/ha compared to the previous year’s crop; production reached 5.49 million tons, up to 19.2 thousand tons. In the southern provinces, the yield was at 49.9 quintals/ha, an increase of 0.6 quintals/ha; production reached 2.58 million tons, down by 55.4 thousand tons.

Rice production in 2021 increased by 1.1 million tons compared to 2020, marking a successful rice production year with increased yields in all seasons. Rice production meets domestic consumption demand, ensures food security, serves processing and export. This result was due to favorable weather conditions for plants to grow and develop and the conversion of land use purposes, crops, season’s structure.

Perennial trees

The total area of perennial trees in 2021 was estimated at 3,688.6 thousand hectares, rising by 2% compared to last year, of which industrial plants reached 2,209.9 thousand hectares, increasing by 1.1%; fruit trees reached 1,173.4 thousand hectares, rising by 3.4 %; oil-bearing fruit trees reached 189.1 thousand hectares, growing by 3.2%; spices and medicinal plants reached 55 thousand hectares, up to 3.8%.

In the group of industrial crops, rubber area reached 938.8 thousand hectares, rose 0.7% over the previous year, production reached 1,260.1 thousand tons, up 2.8%; coffee area reached 705 thousand hectares, rising by 1.4%, production reached 1.816 thousand tons, up to 3%; cashew area reached 314.6 thousand hectares, up to 4%, production reached 383.3 thousand tons, up to 10%; pepper area reached 128.2 thousand hectares, down by 2.7%, output reached 280.3 thousand tons, up to 3.7%; tea area reached 123.4 thousand hectares, down 0.2%, tea output reached 1,087.2 thousand tons, up to 2.1.

Fruit trees achieved good production in most types of trees. Oranges production reached 1,545.9 thousand tons, rising by 33.2% comparison over last year; pomelos reached 1,006.9 thousand tons, up 8%; mango reached 938.2 thousand tons, rising by 4.9%; durian reached 693.8 thousand tons, increasing by 18%; litchi reached 386.6 thousand tons, rose 22.6%; longan reached 602.8 thousand tons, rising by 6.1%; pineapple 737.3 thousand tons, up 3.6%.

Livestock

Pig and poultry farming in 2021 was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many wholesale markets and traditional markets were temporarily closed, disrupting the supply chain; restaurants and eateries were closed, tourism has stagnated, causing market demand to decrease, the number of livestock backlogs in large cages, the price of live pork in the last months of the year was low, while input costs increase, causing many businesses to lose. In addition, pig farming faces difficulties because African swine fever was under control, but there has still been a potential risk of outbreaks.

Cattle and buffalo husbandry was generally stable. The Lumpy Skin Disease has gradually been controlled because local authorities and specialized agencies had drastically and synchronously implemented solutions to prevent disease such as well-organized vaccinations; detect and promptly handling new outbreaks; strictly handling cases of illegal transportation, trading of buffaloes and cows of unknown origin.

The livestock industry has had many positive solutions to control epidemics in livestock and poultry, therefore which the disease has decreased, market demand has increased in the last months of the year, production of livestock products has increased compared to the last year to meet people’s consumption needs in the upcoming Lunar New Year.

As of December 22, 2021, the whole country has no longer blue-ear disease and foot-and-mouth disease; avian flu was still in Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang ngai and Binh Phuoc; African swine fever was reported in 41 localities and LSD was still in 7 localities for less than 21 days.

b) Forestry

Forest production in the fourth quarter of 2021 had many advantages in the last months of 2021 when the whole country implemented Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP of the Government. The price of acacia wood as a processing material increased again from November 2021, with a lot of acacia acreage coming to the harvest cycle, so the exploitation output in December increased sharply. Some localities have issued policies to promptly support wood processing enterprises facing difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Forest Sustainable Certification (FSC) for planted forest areas; encouraged forest owners to grow huge timber forests.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the newly concentrated planted forest area nationwide was estimated at 101.9 thousand hectares, up 3% over the same period last year; the number of scattered planted trees reached 33.9 million trees, an increase of 4.3%; timber production reached 5,245.2 thousand m3, up 8.1%; firewood production was 4.5 million steres, down 3.8%.

In general, in 2021, the newly concentrated planted forest area nationwide was estimated at 277.8 thousand hectares, up 2.8% over the previous year; the number of scattered planted trees reached 99 million trees, increasing by 3%; timber production reached 18.1 million m3, up 5.4%; firewood production was 18.8 million steres, down 1.6%. Provinces with high timber production compared to the previous year, such as Bac Kan 293.9 thousand m3, up 44%; Quang Ninh 550.6 thousand m3, up 37.5%; Bac Giang 801.6 thousand m3, up 17.3%; Quang Ngai 2,136.3 thousand m3, up 14.2%; Nghe An 1,501.8 thousand m3, up 13.8%.

Damaged forest area in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 133 ha, down 52.1% over the same period last year, of which: burnt forest area was 39 ha, down 6.1%; the deforested forest area was 94 ha, a decrease of 60.2%. In general, in 2021, the whole country had 2,081 hectares of damaged forests, an increase of 29.3% over the previous year, of which: burned forest area was 1,229 hectares, 1.7 times higher; the deforested forest area was 852 ha, down 6.2%. Forest fires this year mainly occurred in 03 provinces: Thua Thien – Hue 45 cases (365 ha); Quang Nam 18 crops (329 ha); Gia Lai has 10 crops (143 ha), accounting for more than 68% of the country’s forest fire area.

c) Fishery

Fishery output in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at 2,316.3 thousand tons, up 2.8% over the same period last year, of which: Fish reached 1,653.7 thousand tons, up 1.8%; shrimp reached 322.4 thousand tons, up 5.2%; other aquatic products reached 340.2 thousand tons, up 5.6%. In general, in 2021, the fishery production was estimated at 8,726.6 thousand tons, up 1% compared to 2020; including Fish reached 6,295.2 thousand tons, up 0.1%; shrimp was 1,136.4 thousand tons, up 4.3%; other aquatic products reached 1,295 thousand tons, up 2.6%.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, fishery processing factories will resume production and promote processing and export to serve year-end consumption after stopping or reducing operating capacity due to the social distancing and implemented model 3 on-site production in the third quarter of 2021.

Aquaculture production in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at 1,452.7 thousand tons, up 3.5% over the same period last year, of which: Fish reached 1,006 thousand tons, up 1.7%; shrimp reached 283.7 thousand tons, up 4.2%. In general, in 2021, aquaculture production was estimated at 4,805.8 thousand tons, up 1.0% over the previous year, including Fish reaching 3,259.1 thousand tons, down 0.8%; shrimp reached 987.5 thousand tons, up 4.7%; other aquatic products reached 559.2 thousand tons, up 5.4%.

Pangasius prices in 2021 tend to increase in the last months of the year. The price of pangasius 0.9 kg/fish in mid-March fluctuated at 20.5-21 thousand VND/kg, in mid-June fluctuated at 21.9-22 thousand VND/kg, in mid-September was 22,000 VND/kg, mid-October was 22.3-22.5 thousand VND/kg, mid-November was 23,000 VND and the first week of December was 23.5-24 thousand VND/kg. According to the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries, report on December 9, 2021, pangasius export turnover in the last months of the year to the Chinese market decreased sharply (20%) due to China’s strict control of the Covid-19 epidemic in Vietnam’s border gates. In contrast, export turnover to the US market increased sharply (46.4%) due to the demand for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Pangasius production in 2021 was estimated at 1,490 thousand tons, down 4% compared to the previous year (in the fourth quarter of 2021, it reached 473.6 thousand tons, up 2.6% over the same period last year).

Purchasing and processing shrimp gradually recovered in the fourth quarter of 2021, the price of vannamei shrimp increased rapidly and strongly from the beginning of October. The average price of vannamei shrimp of 70 shrimps/kg in the first week of December (from 2/12 to 8/12) at the shrimp farming pond in Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau was at 120.5 thousand VND/kg, an increase of 43 thousand VND/kg compared to the end of the third quarter of 2021 (the time strongly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic). Black tiger shrimp output in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at 68.1 thousand tons, down 0.7% over the same period last year; vannamei shrimp production reached 191.7 thousand tons, up 5%. Generally, in 2021, the output of black tiger shrimp reached 264.7 thousand tons, up 1.2% over the previous year; vannamei shrimp production reached 657.9 thousand tons, up 6%.

Catch Fishery output in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at 863.6 thousand tons, up 1.7% over the same period last year, of which: fish gained 647.7 thousand tons, up 2.1%; shrimp reached 38.7 thousand tons, up 12.5%. In general, in 2021, catch fishery production was estimated at 3,920.8 thousand tons, up 0.9% over the previous year, including fish reaching 3,036.1 thousand tons, up 1%; shrimp 148.9 thousand tons, up 1.2%; other aquatic products 735.8 thousand tons, up 0.6%. The output of marine fishing in 2021 was estimated at 3,726 thousand tons, up 0.9%, of which: fish 2,903.5 thousand tons, up 1%; shrimp 138.7 thousand tons, up 1.2%.

  1. Industrial production

Industrial production in the fourth quarter of 2021 prospered right after localities across the country implemented the Government’s Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021, on safe adaptation, flexibility, effectively controlling the Covid-19 pandemic with the value-added growth rate of 6.52% over the same period last year. The value-added of the industry in 2021 increased by 4.82% compared to 2020, of which the manufacturing increased by 6.37%.

The value-added of the whole industry in 2021 was estimated to increase by 4.82% over the previous year (the first quarter increased by 6.44%; the second quarter by 11.18%; the third quarter by 4.4%; the fourth quarter by 6.52%). Of which, the manufacturing increased by 6.37% (up by 8.9% in the first quarter; 13.35% in the second quarter; 4.09% in the third quarter; 7.96% in the fourth quarter), contributing 1.61 percentage points to the overall growth of the whole economy; Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply increased by 5.24%, contributing 0.19 percentage points; Water supply; sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities increased by 4%, contributing 0.02 percentage points; the Mining and quarrying sector decreased by 6.21% (due to a decrease in crude oil production by 5.7% and a decrease of 19.4% in natural gas), reducing 0.23 percentage points in the overall increase.

The production index of 2021 of some key industries in the 2 digit industry increased sharply compared to the same period last year: Manufacture of basic metals (22.1%); Manufacture of motor vehicles; trailers and semi-trailers (10.2%); Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (9.6%); Mining of coal and lignite (9%); Manufacture of textiles (8.3%); Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (8.1%); Manufacture of wearing apparel (7.6%). In the opposite direction, the IIP index of some industries decreased: Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products (-16.9%); Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (-13.2%); Repair and installation of machinery and equipment (-11.5%); Sewerage and sewer treatment activities (-5.5%); Mining of metal ores (-4.9%).

Some major industrial products in 2021 increased sharply over the last year: Laminated steel (33.5%); Phone accessories (29.5%); petroleum (14.4%); powder milk (13.1%); liquidized gas LPG (10.9%); crude steel, iron (10.5%); Animal feed (9.5%); Automobile (9.1%); Coal (pure) (9%). In the opposite site, some prducts decreased over the same period last year: Television (-38.6%); Natural gas (in the form of air) (-19.4%); beer (-7.1%); Extracted crude oil (-5.7%); Refined sugar (-3.3%); Aquatic feed (-3.2%).

The consumption index of the manufacturing industry in 12/2021 increased by 5.9% over the previous month and up 7.9% over the same period last year. Generally, in 2021, the consumption index of the whole manufacturing industry increased by 4.5% over the last year (last year went up by 3.3%).

The inventory index of the manufacturing industry was estimated as of 31/12/2021 increased by 0.1% over the period month and increased by 21.9 over the same period last year (in the same period of 2020 increased by 25.3%). The average inventory rate of the whole processing and manufacturing industry in 2021 was 79.1% (the last year was 71.9%).

The number of employees working in industrial enterprises as of December 1st, 2021, increased by 1.7% over the same period last month and decreased by 1.9% from the same period last year. Of which, the number of employees in the state-owned enterprise sector increased by 0.2% and decreased by 2.2%; non-state enterprises went up by 1.2% and down 3.9%; enterprises of foreign direct investment rose by 2.1% and reduced by 1%. By industry, the number of employees working in mining and quarrying increased by 0.1% over the same period last month and fell by 1% against the same period in 2020; manufacturing up 1.8% and down 2.1%; the production and distribution of electricity up 0.4% and increased by 3.6%; the water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities rose by 0.2% and decreased by 0.5%.

  1. Enterprise activities

In 2021, the strong outbreak of the fourth Covid-19 wave along with strict blockades and prolonged distancing (especially in the third quarter of 2021) had a negative impact on the increase in the number of businesses. The total number of enterprises entering and re-entering the market in 2021 reached nearly 160,000 enterprises, down 10.7% compared to 2020; 119.8 thousand enterprises withdrew from the market, an increase of 17.8%, of which the majority were enterprises established under 5 years, with small capital scale. The timely promulgation and implementation of Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021, nationwide have made an important contribution to restoring production and promoting the market, gradually creating confidence for enterprises. The results of the survey on business trends of enterprises in the processing and manufacturing industry showed that enterprises were optimistic about their production and business situation in the first quarter of 2022 with 81.7% of enterprises assessing it will be stable and better than the fourth quarter of 2021.

a) Enterprise registration status

In December 2021, the whole country had 11,2 thousand newly established enterprises with registered capital were 156.9 trillion VND and a total number of registered employees of 69.7 thousand employees, a decrease of 5.7% in the number of enterprises, an increase of 4.7% in the registered capital and a down 8.9% in the number of employees compared to last month. Compared to December 2020, the number of enterprises was up 5%, the registered capital down 56%, and the number of employees down 4.5%. The average registered capital of a newly established enterprise in the month reached 14 billion VND, an increase of  11% compared to last month and a decrease of 58.1% compared to the same period in 2020.

In December, there were 4,223 re-operated enterprises in the whole country, which decreased by 14.8% compared to the previous month and down 21.2% compared to the same period in 2020.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the newly established enterprises had 31.4 thousand enterprises with a total registered capital of 415.3 trillion VND and a total number of registered employees of 205.1 thousand employees, up 70.4% in the number of enterprises, an increase of 64.1% in number the registered capital, and an increase of 24.7% in the number of employees compared to the third quarter in 2021. After more than two months of Resolution 128/NQ-CP in practice, the business registration situation of enterprises in the last months of 2021 has improved clearly.

Generally, in 2021, the whole country had 116.8 thousand newly registered enterprises with a total registered capital of 1,611.1 trillion VND and a total number of registered employees nearly 854 thousand employees, down 13.4% in the number of enterprises, a decrease of 27.9% in number the registered capital, and a decrease of 18.1% in the number of employees compared last year. The average registered capital of a newly established enterprise in 2021 achieved 13.8 billion VND, down 16.8% compared to the previous year. If including 2,524.9 trillion VND of the additionally registered capital of 43.5 thousand enterprises that recorded an upward of capital adjustment, the total additional registered capital in the economy this year was 4,136 trillion VND, down 25.8% compared to 2020. Besides, there were 43.1 thousand re-operated enterprises (a decrease of 2.2% over the same period last year), bringing the total number of newly registered enterprises and re-operated enterprises in 2021 to nearly 160  thousand enterprises, a decrease of 10.7%. The average every month had 13.3 thousand newly established and re-operated enterprises.

By economic sector in this year, there were 1,999 newly-established enterprises in the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector, down 24.3% compared to 2020; 31.2 thousand enterprises in the industry and construction sector, decreased by 22.4%; 83.6 thousand enterprises in the service sector, decreased by 9.2%.

 In December 2021, 3,011 enterprises ceased for a certain time, a decrease of 14.5% compared to last month and an increase of 33.8% compared to the same period 2020; 9,057 enterprises temporarily ceased and awaited dissolution procedures, an increase of 95.1% and an increase of 67.1%; 1,877 enterprises completed dissolution procedures, an increase of 49.4% and a decrease of 7.1%.

This year, there were 55 thousand enterprises temporarily ceased for a certain time, an increase of  18% compared to last year; 48.1 thousand enterprises temporarily ceased and awaited dissolution procedures, a climb up 27.8%; 16.7 thousand enterprises completed dissolution procedures, a decrease of 4.1%, of which 14.8 thousand enterprises with the capital size of less than 10 billion VND,  down 4%; 211 enterprises with the capital size over 100 billion VND, a decrease of 20.7%. On average, nearly 10 thousand enterprises withdraw from the market each month.

b) Business trends of the enterprises

Results of the business tendency survey of manufacturing enterprises in the fourth quarter of 2021 showed that: 44% of enterprises assessed that the business production situation was better than the third quarter of 2021; 31.1% of enterprises said that the business production situation was stable and 24.9% of enterprises faced difficulties. For the expected outcome of the first quarter of 2022, 45.6% of enterprises presented that the tendency would get better than the fourth quarter of 2021; 18.3% of enterprises predicted that it would be more difficult and 36.1% of enterprises said that business production situation would be stable. In which, the foreign direct investment sector was the most optimistic, 83.1% of enterprises forecasted a better business production situation in the third quarter of 2021 and expected to remain stable; these rates in the State-owned enterprises and the non-state enterprises were 82% and 81.2% respectively.

 Regarding production volume, 45.7% of enterprises pointed out the production volume in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased compared to the third quarter of 2021; 30.5% of enterprises reported that the production volume was stable and 23.8% of enterprises considered reduced. For the trend in the first quarter of 2022, 45.4% of enterprises forecasted an increase in the production volume; 17.4% of enterprises forecasted a decrease, and 37.2% of enterprises predicted stability.

Regarding orders for goods, 39.3% of enterprises had more orders in the fourth quarter of 2021 than the third quarter of 2021; 37.3% of enterprises had stable orders and 23.4% of enterprises recorded a decrease in orders. About trend in the first quarter, 2022 over the fourth quarter, 2021, 41.4% of enterprises expected an increase in orders; 16.8% of enterprises expected a decrease in orders, and 41.8% of enterprises expected to have stable orders.

Regarding export orders, 34% of enterprises confirmed more new export orders in the fourth quarter of 2021 than the third quarter of 2021; 43.4% of enterprises experienced stable new export orders and 22.6% of enterprises had a decrease in new export orders. About trend in the first quarter of 2022 over the fourth quarter 2021, 37.2% of enterprises expected to have an increase in export orders; 16.7% of enterprises expected to decrease, and 46.1% of enterprises expected to be stable.

  1. Service activities

a) Retail sales of consumer goods and services

Trade activities and consumer services recovered, total retail sales of consumer goods and services in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 28.1% compared to the previous quarter. However, for the whole year of 2021, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services decreased by 3.8% compared to the previous year (increased by 1.7% in 2020) due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Total retail sales of consumer goods and services in December 2021 was estimated at 458.5 trillion VND, up 4.6% over the previous month and 1.1% over the same period last year. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services were estimated at 1,312.6 trillion VND, up 28.1% over the previous quarter and down 2.8% over the same period last year, in which: Retail sales of goods reached 1,076.4 trillion VND, up 20% and up 0.8%; revenue from accommodation and food services reached 107.7 trillion VND, up 59% and down 19.8%; tourism revenue reached 1.9 trillion VND, up 690.2% and down 45.2%; other service revenue reached 126.6 trillion VND, up 109.8% and down 12.7%.

 In 2021, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services were estimated at 4,789.5 trillion VND, down 3.8% compared to the previous year. If excluding the price factor, the decrease would be 6.2% (in 2020, decreased by 3%). 

By economic activities, in the retail sales of goods in 2021, food and foodstuff increased 10.6% over the previous year; means of transport decreased by 1.6%; cultural and educational products decreased by 5.9%; household appliances, tools, and equipment down 8%; garments decreased by 9.3%.

According to localities, retail sales of goods in 2021 compared to the previous year of some localities: Can Tho increased by 1.7%; Hanoi increased by 3.5%; Ba Ria – Vung Tau increased by 5.5%; Quang Ninh increased by 6%; Da Nang increased by 6.7%; Dong Nai increased by 7.1%; Binh Duong increased by 9.6%; Hai Phong increased by 13.4%; Khanh Hoa decreased by 9.9%; Ho Chi Minh city fell 22.2%.

Revenue from accommodation and catering services in 2021 compared to the previous year of some localities: Quang Ninh decreased by 10.3%; Hanoi down 14%; Hai Phong down 17.8%; Da Nang down 20%; Binh Duong down 23.5%; Nghe An down 30.7%; Ho Chi Minh city down 46.1%; Ba Ria – Vung Tau down 52.2%.

Some localities have revenue from tourism and traveling services 2021 down sharply compared to the previous year: Quang Ninh down 32.9%; Da Nang down 40.6%; Hanoi down 45.6%; Quang Binh 45.9%; Can Tho decreased by 52.1%; Ho Chi Minh city decreased by 60.2%; Thanh Hoa decreased by 67.8%; Hai Phong down 70.3%; Thua Thien – Hue decreased by 71.3%.

Revenue from other services in 2021 compared to the previous year of some provinces: Quang Binh increased by 5.2%; Hai Phong down 0.1%; Phu Yen down 2.3%; Binh Duong down 7.9%; Binh Dinh down 8.8%; Da Nang decreased by 13.2%; Hanoi decreased by 13.1%; Can Tho decreased by 15.1%; Khanh Hoa decreased by 20.4%; Ho Chi Minh city fell 29.1%.

b) Transport and telecommunications

Transport activities in 2021 faced difficulties, especially when the fourth Covid-19 epidemic broke out on a large scale, many localities implemented social distancing according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTG dated March 31, 2020, of the Prime Minister.

Implementing Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated October 11, 2021, of the Government, domestic transport activities have been restored. Passenger and freight transport in the fourth quarter of 2021 both increased compared to the third quarter of 2021, of which passengers carried increased by 48.4%, passengers traffic increased by 51.3% and freight carried increased by 31.8 %, freight traffic increased by 28.4%. However, passenger transport in the fourth quarter of 2021 still decreased sharply compared to the same period last year due to the complicated situation of the epidemic in localities.

Generally,  passenger carried in 2021 decreased by 33.0% compared to last year, passenger traffic decreased by 42.0%; freight carried decreased by 8.7% and freight traffic decreased by 1.8%.

Passengers carried in December 2021 were estimated at 135 million persons, down 57.5% compared to the same period last year, and passenger traffic was 4.3 billion passengers-km, decreased by 72.6%; passengers carriage in the fourth quarter reached 367.4 million persons, decreased by 59.8% compared to the same period last year, and 11.9 billion passengers-km, reduced by 72.7%

Generally, for the whole year 2021, passenger carried reached 2,387.3 million passengers, a decrease of 33% over the same period last year (in 2020 down 29.6%), the passenger traffic gained 94.7 billion passengers-km, went down 42% (in 2020 decreased by 34.1 %). Of which, domestic passengers carriage gained 2,387.2 million passengers, down 32.9% and 94.2 billion passengers-km, down 38.5%; overseas passengers carriage achieved 107.8 thousand passengers, decreasing by 96.2% and 502.5 million passengers-km, went down by 95%.

By types of transport, all industries in 2021 decreased compared to last year, in which airway and railway suffered quite heavy losses.

Freight carried in December 2021 was estimated at 149.1 million tons, reduced by 14.6% compared to the same period last year, and freight traffic 31.9 billion tons.km, down 5%; freight carried in the fourth quarter was estimated at 420.6 million tons, down 17.3% over the same period last year, and freight traffic 90.5 billion tons.km, down 5.6%.

Generally, for the whole year 2021, freight carried reached 1,620.5 million tons, down 8.7% against the last year (in 2020 decreased by 5.2%), freight traffic gained 333.4 billion tons-km, down 1.8% (the same period of 2020 decreased by 6.7%). Of which, domestic freight carried recorded 1.595.3 million tons, a decrease of 8.5% and 203.1 billion tons-km, up 9.1%; oversea freight reached 25.2 million tons, decreasing by 16.8% and 130.3 billion tons-km, dropped by 14.9%.

Telecommunications revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated at 82.9 trillion VND, a decrease of 2.3% compared to the same period last year (if excluding the price factor, the decrease was 2.4%). Generally, for the whole year 2021, telecommunications revenue was estimated to reach 314.8 trillion VND, decreased by 0.1% compared to last year (if excluding the price factor, the increase was 0.3%).

The total number of telephone subscribers by the end of December  2021 was estimated at 130.3 million subscribers, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period last year, of which mobile phone subscribers reached 127.2 million subscribers, rising by 2.8%. The number of fixed broadband internet subscribers by the end of December 2021 recorded 19.3 million subscribers, up 15.6% compared to the same period last year, of which subscribers accessing via Fiber to The Home (FTTH) increased rapidly; subscribers accessing through Cable Television (CATV) and xDSL continue to decrease.

c) International visitors to Viet Nam

International visitors to our country in December increased by 14.2% compared to the previous month because Viet Nam has implemented a pilot route to welcome international tourists from November 2021, and international commercial flights have begun to be restored. In general, the number of international visitors to our country in 2021 was estimated at 157.3 thousand people, down 95.9% over the previous year and down 99.1% compared to 2019, in which mainly tourists foreign experts, and technical workers working on projects in Viet Nam.

International visitors to Viet Nam in December were estimated at 17.2 thousand arrivals, up 14.2% compared to the previous month and increased by 5.4% compared to the same period last year; international visitors in the fourth quarter of 2021 were 42.7 thousand people, an increase of 62.7% compared to the third quarter of 2021 and a decrease of 12.4% over the same period in 2020. Generally, for the whole year 2021, international visitors to Viet Nam was estimated at 157.3 thousand arrivals, down 95.9% compared to last year, of which: Visitors coming by airway gained 111.1 thousand persons, accounting for 70.6% of the number of international visitors to Viet Nam, dropped by 96.4%; by roadway achieved 45.6 thousand arrivals, accounted for 29% and went down by 92.5%; by seaway achieved 614 arrivals, accounted for 0.4% and decreased nearly by 99.6%.

II. MACROECONOMIC STABILITY, INFLATION CONTROL

  1. Banking, insurance, and securities activities

In 2021, in the context of the economy facing many difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the State Bank of Vietnam adjusted interest rates appropriately, creating conditions for credit institutions to continue reducing lending interest rates, supporting the recovery of the economy. Stable insurance business; The stock market developed fast with a stock market capitalization in 2021 increased by 45.5% compared to the end of last year.

As of December 24, 2021, the total liquidity increased by 8.93% compared to the end of 2020; capital mobilization from credit institutions increased by 8.44%; credit growth of the economy reached 12.97%.

In 2021, the State Bank of Vietnam stabilized interest rates to match the situation of macroeconomic, inflation, and the money market. Currently, the average deposit rate in Vietnam Dong of domestic commercial banks has been at 0.1%-0.2%/year for demand deposits with terms of less than 1 month; 3.3%-3.5%/year for deposits with a term from 1 month to less than 6 months; 4.2%-5.7%/year for deposits with a term from 6 months to 12 months; 5.5%-6.6%/year for deposits with terms from over 12 months to 24 months and 6.1%-6.8% for terms over 24 months. Credit institutions continue to cut operating costs and lower lending rates to support economic growth. The maximum short-term lending interest rate in Vietnam Dong for customers with transparent and healthy financial situations in the priority field was 4.5%/year. Credit quality improved, contributing to controlling inflation and repelling black credit; focus on production areas, priority fields; strictly control credit for potentially risky sectors, credit for consumption, and loans in foreign currencies.

Premium revenue of the entire insurance market in the fourth quarter of 2021 was estimated to increase by 14.8% over the same period last year, of which premium revenue from life insurance was up 20.9%, the non-life insurance down 2.6%. In general, in 2021, the premium revenue of the entire insurance market increased by 15.6% compared to the previous year, of which the premium revenue from life insurance increased by 21.7%; the non-life insurance increased by 1.7%.

In 2021, the total assets of insurance businesses were estimated at 710 trillion VND, up 23.9% over the previous year; insurance businesses have invested back into the economy 577.1 trillion VND, up 22.2%; total insurance reserve reached 455.6 trillion VND, up 24.9%; total equity reached 152.5 trillion VND, up 19.3%; insurance benefit payment reached 49.6 trillion VND, up 1.7%.

The stock market developed strongly despite the complicated ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Vietnam’s stock market recorded many new records: VNIndex reached 1,500 points; The wave of investor entry increased sharply (by the end of November 2021, the number of investor accounts reached 4.08 million accounts, an increase of 47.3% compared to the end of 2020).

On the stock market, as of 27/12/2021, the VNIndex reached 1,488.88 points, up 34.9% compared to the end of 2020; market capitalization reached 7,702 trillion VND, rose by 45.5%; The average transaction value from the beginning of the year to now (as of December 27, 2021) reached 26,526 billion VND/session, peak up by 257.5% compared to the previous year’s average.

As of the end of November 2021, the stock market had 761 listed stocks and fund certificates; 890 shares registered for trading on UPCoM with the total value of listing and registered trading reaching 1,727 trillion VND, up 14.1% compared to the ending of 2020.

On the bond market, there were 430 listed bond codes, with a value of 1,511 trillion VND, up 8.9% compared to the end of 2020. The average trading value from the beginning of the year to 27/12/2021 reached 11,421 billion VND/session, up 9.9% compared to the average in 2020.

On the derivatives market, trading activities continued to be active. The opening volume as of 27/12/2021 reached 30,200 contracts, down 25% compared to the end of 2020. Generally, from the beginning of the year to the above time, the average trading volume of futures contracts on the VN30 index reached 189,923 contracts/session, up 21% over the previous year. In 2021, the market had time to record a new record opening volume with 61,090 contracts on 14/01/2021, the highest opening volume since the opening of the derivatives market.

  1. Development investment

The investment at current prices in 2021 increased by 3.2% over the previous year. Although this is the lowest increase in many years, it is a positive result in the complex context of the Covid-19 epidemic in the country and the world. Foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction recovered, newly registered and additionally registered capital increased again, showing that foreign investors believe in Vietnam’s investment environment.

The investment in the fourth quarter of 2021 at current prices was estimated at 999.8 trillion VND, an increase of 6.2% over the same period last year, of which the State-owned sector went down by 2.5%; the non-State sector increased by 10.8%; the FDI sector down 4%.

Generally, in 2021, the investment at current prices estimated at 2,891.9 trillion VND, increasing by 3.2% over the last year, of which: the investment capital of the State sector reached 713.6 trillion VND, representing 24.7% of the total capital and decreasing by 2.9% compared to the same period last year; the non-State sector gained 1,720.2 trillion VND, accounting for 59.5% and rising by 7.2%; the foreign direct investment recorded 458.1 trillion VND, accounting for 15.8% and decreasing by 1.1%.

In the investment capital of the State sector, the implemented capital from the State budget in 2021 was estimated at 423.6 trillion VND, equaling 84.3% of the yearly plan and went down by 8.6% against the last year (the corresponding figures in 2020 was 90.5% and increasing by 33.6% respectively), including the capital under central management reached 72.4 trillion VND, equaling 81.2% of the yearly plan and decreasing by 8.2% over the previous year; the capital under local management achieved 351.2 trillion VND, equaling 85% and decreasing by 8.7%, of which: the State budget capital at the provincial level reached 234.3 trillion VND, equaling 80.9% and down 9.2%; the State budget capital at district level gained 98.5 trillion VND, equaling 92.4% and went down 7.4%; State budget capital at commune level was 18.4 trillion VND, equaling 108.9% and decreasing by 8.7%.

The registered capital of foreign investment in Vietnam from the beginning of the year to 20/12/2021, including newly registered capital, adjust registered capital, and the total value of capital contribution and share purchases of foreign investors reached 31.15 billion USD, increased by 9.2% compared to the year 2020.

– Newly registered capital included 1,738 newly licensed projects with a registered capital of 15.25 billion USD, a decrease of 31.1% in the number of projects, and a growth of 4.1% of registered capital compared to the last year. Of which, the manufacturing industry attracted the 1st foreign direct investor with the registered capital of newly licensed projects reaching 7.25 billion USD, accounting for 47.6% of the total newly registered capital; the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning reached 5.32 billion USD, accounting for 34.9%, the remaining industries reached 2.68 billion USD, accounting for 17.5%.

Among 71 countries and territories having newly licensed investment projects in Vietnam in the year, Singapore was the largest investor with 6.11 billion USD, accounting for 40% of total newly registered capital; Japan 2.79 billion USD, accounting for 18.3%; Hong Kong SAR (China) 1.67 billion USD, accounting for 11%; China 1.66 billion USD, accounting for 10.9%; South Korea 1.2 billion USD, accounting for 7.9%; United State 398.4 million USD, accounting for 2.6%.

– Adjust registered capital included 985 turns of projects which were licensed in the previous years registered to adjust investment capital with the additional capital of 9.01 billion USD, increased by 40.5% compared to the last year.

If including additionally newly registered capital and adjust registered capital of licensed projects in previous years, foreign direct investment capital in the processing and manufacturing industry reached 14.60 billion USD, accounting for 60.2% of the total newly registered capital and additional capital; the production and distribution of electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioning reached nearly 5.58 billion USD, accounting for 23%; the remaining industries reached 4.08 billion USD, accounting for 16.8%.

– Capital contribution and share purchases of foreign investors included 3,797 turns with a total value of the capital contribution of 6.89 billion USD, decreased by 7.7% compared to the last year. Including 1,535 turns of capital contribution, share purchase, causing the increase of charter capital of the enterprise with the value of contributed capital of 5.03 billion USD, and 2,262 turns of foreign investors repurchased domestic shares without increasing the charter capital with a value of 1.86 billion USD. By economic activities, the investment capital in the manufacturing industry reached 3.52 billion USD, accounting for 51.1% of the total capital; real estate business reached 1 billion USD, accounting for 14.5%; the remaining industries reached 2.37 billion USD, accounting for 34.4%.

Foreign direct investment capital that implemented 2021 reached 19.74 billion USD, decreased by 1.2% over the last year, of which the manufacturing activity reached 14.30 billion USD, accounting for 72.5% of total realized foreign direct investment capital; real estate business activities gained 2.63 billion USD, making up 13.3%; electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded 1.54 billion USD, comprising of 7.8%.

Vietnam’s investment abroad in 2021, there were 61 projects newly granted investment certificates with a total investment capital of 409.1 million USD, increasing by 28.6% over the same period of last year; 22 turns of projects adjusted capital with decreased capital of 776 million USD. Because in December 2021, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group reduced 1.2 billion USD in the capital of the oil and gas exploration and development project in Russia. If excluding this project, Vietnam’s total investment abroad (newly and adjusted capital) in 2021 would reach 828.7 million USD.

In 2021, 26 countries and territories received investment from Vietnam, of which the United States was the leading country with 307.3 million USD; Singapore 141.7 million USD; Cambodia 89.4 million USD; Israel 71.6 million USD; Canada 57.6 million USD; Laos 48.6 million USD; Germany 33.5 million USD.

  1. State budget revenues and expenditures

          Production and business activities continued to recover, contributing to the estimated State budget revenue in 2021 to reach 1,523.4 trillion VND and exceed the annual plan. State budget expenditures focused on giving priority to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, overcoming natural disasters, ensuring national defense and security, and supporting people facing difficulties due to the impact of the pandemic.

State budget revenue:

Total state budget revenue in 2021 was estimated to reach 1,523.4 trillion VND, equaling 113.4 % of the annual estimate (increasing by 180.1 trillion VND). Specifically, some of the main revenues are as follows:

– Domestic revenue equaled 110.4% of the yearly estimate (an increase of nearly 118 trillion VND);

– Revenue from crude oil was 197.4% (up 22.6 trillion VND);

– Balanced income from import and export activities equaled 122.1% (increasing by 39.5 trillion VND).

State budget expenditure:

Total state budget expenditure in 2021 was estimated at 1,839.2 trillion VND, equaling 109% of the annual estimate, of which recurrent expenditure was 102.3%; development investment expenditure equaled 106.4 %; interest payment was 96.2%.

  1. Export and import of goods and services

a) Export and import of goods

In December 2021, the import and export of goods continued to be the bright spot of the economy with the total import and export turnover estimated at 66.5 billion USD, up 6.4% compared to previous months and up 19.7% over the same period last year. Generally, in 2021, the total import and export turnover of goods reach 668.5 billion USD, up 22.6% over last year, of which exports increased by 19%; imports increased by 26.5%.

Export turnover in November 2021 reached 31.87 billion USD, 1.97 billion USD higher than the estimated figure.

Export turnover in December 2021 was estimated at 34.5 billion USD, increased by 8.3% over the previous month, of which the domestic economic sector gained 9.2 billion USD, increased by 6.7%; the FDI sector (including crude oil) reached 25.3 billion USD, increased by 8.9%. Compared to the same period last year, export turnover of goods in December went up by 24.8%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 29.6%, the FDI sector (including crude oil) increased by 23.2%. Trong quý IV/2021, kim ngạch xuất khẩu ước đạt 95,6 tỷ USD, tăng 19,4% so với cùng kỳ năm trước và tăng 16,4% so với quý III/2021 (tăng 19,5% so với quý II/2021 và tăng 21,9% so với quý I/2021).

Generally, in 2021, the export turnover was estimated at 336.25 billion USD, rose by 19% over 2020, of which, the domestic economic sector was 88.71 billion USD, up 13.4%, accounting for 26.4% of total export turnover; the FDI sector (including crude oil) attained 247.54 billion USD, increased by 21.1%, sharing 73.6%.

In 2021, there were 35 products with an export turnover of over 1 billion USD, contributing 93.8% to the total export turnover (8 products with export turnover of over 10 billion USD, accounting for 69.7%). The proportion of export turnover of some key products in 2021 belongs to the FDI sector: Phones all kinds and their parts accounted for 99.3%; electronics goods, computers and their parts for 98.1%; machinery, instrument, accessories accounted for 93%; footwear accounted for 79.3%; textiles and garments accounted for 61.7%.

Regarding the structure of export of goods 2021, the group of processing industry accounting for 89.2%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points over last year;  agricultural and forestry products accounting for 7.1%, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points; the group of fishery products accounting for 2.6%, a drop of 0.4 percentage points; the group of fuels and minerals accounting for 1.1%, the same to last year. 

Import of goods

Import turnover of goods in November 2021 reached 30.61 billion USD, 810 million USD higher than the estimated figure.

Import turnover in December 2021 was estimated at 32 billion USD, increased by 4.5% over the previous month. Of which the domestic economic sector gained 10.9 billion USD, increased by 7.3%; the FDI sector reached 21.1 billion USD, increased by 3.1%. Compared to the same period in 2020, the import turnover of goods in December increased by 14.6%, of which the domestic economic sector increased by 10.3%; the FDI sector rose by 17%.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, import turnover was estimated at 89.07 billion USD, grew by 16% over the same period in 2020, and rose by 6.2% compared to the third quarter of 2021 (increased by 6.5% compared to the second quarter of 2021 and increased by 17.6% compared to the first quarter of 2021).

Generally, in 2021, the import turnover was estimated at 332.25 billion USD, increasing by 26.5% over 2020. Of which the domestic economic sector reached 114.07 billion USD, went up by 21.8%; the FDI sector gained 218.18 billion USD, edged up by 29.1%.

In 2021, there were 47 imported products with a turnover of over 1 billion USD. accounting for 94.1% of the total import turnover.

Regarding the structure of imported goods in 2021, the group of input materials accounting for 93.5%, a rise of 0.2 percentage points over last year, in which machinery, equipment, accessory, means of transport, and components accounting for 46.6%, went down by 2.1 percentage points; fuel and row materials accounting for 46.9%, went up by 2.3 percentage point. The consumer goods group accounted for 6.5%, a drop of 0.2 percentage points.

Regarding the export, import of goods market in 2021, the United States was Viet Nam’s largest export market with a turnover of 95.6 billion USD. China remained the largest import market of Viet Nam with a turnover of 109.9 billion USD. In 2021, the trade surplus to the EU reached 23 billion USD, rose by 12.1% over last year; trade deficit from China was 54 billion USD, went up 53%; trade deficit from South Korea was 34.2 billion USD, up 22.9%; trade deficit from ASEAN was 12 billion USD, increased by 63.1%; trade deficit from Japan was 2.4 billion USD, increased by 127.9%.

The trade balance of goods in November 2021 witnessed a trade surplus of 1.26 billion USD; trade surplus for 11 months was 1.46 billion USD; trade surplus for December 2021 was 2.54 billion USD; trade surplus in 2021 was estimated at 4 billion USD (the same period last year saw a trade surplus of 19.94 billion USD). Of which the domestic economic sector saw a trade deficit of 25.36 billion USD; the FDI sector (including crude oil) saw a trade surplus of 29.36 billion USD. 

b) Export and import of services

In the fourth quarter of 2021, export turnover of services reached 985 million USD, decreased by 3.3% over the same period in 2020 and increased by 9.2% over the previous quarter; import turnover of services reached 5.1 billion USD, went up by 12.4% over the same period in 2020 and increased by 5.5% over the previous quarter.

In 2021, export turnover of services was estimated at 3.67 billion USD, went down 51.7% over 2020, of which travel service gained 149 million USD (accounting for 4.1% of the total turnover), decreased by 95.4%; transportation service reached 446 million USD (accounting for 12.1%), decreased by 61.4%.

Import turnover of service in this year estimated at 19.41 billion USD, edged up by 8.5% over last year, of which transport services gained 9.99 billion USD (accounting for 51.5% of total turnover), increased by 34.2%; travel services reached 3.63 billion USD (sharing 18.7%), declined by 21.3%. The trade deficit of services in 2021 was 15.73 billion USD (in which the cost of transportation and insurance from the import of goods was 8.24 billion USD).

  1. Consumer price index

a) Consumer price index

Petrol and gas prices in the month decreased according to world fuel prices; the Covid-19 epidemic has complicated developments throughout the country; tuition fees for the first semester of the academic year 2021-2022 continue to be exempted and reduced in some localities, which were the main reasons for the consumer price index (CPI) in December 2021 decreased by 0.18% compared to the previous month and increased by 1.81% compared to December 2020. On average, in 2021, CPI increased by 1.84% over the previous year, the lowest increase since 2016. Core inflation in 12 months increased by 0.81%.

The consumer price index (CPI) in December 2021 decreased by 0.18% compared to the previous month, of which: 4 groups of goods and services had a decrease in the price index and 7 groups with an increase in the price index.

(1) Four groups of goods and services with declining price indexes include:

– Transport group had the largest decrease with 1.71% (making the general CPI decrease by 0.17 percentage points), due to the influence of petrol and oil price adjustments on November 25th, 2021, December 10th, 2021, and December 25th, 2021, petrol price index in December 2021 decreased by 4.67%, diesel oil price decreased by 5.05%. Besides, the spare parts price index increased by 0.17%; other services for personal means of transport increased by 0.12%; public transport services increased by 0.53%.

– Housing and construction materials fell by 0.45% (making the general CPI decrease by 0.08 percentage points) mainly due to the decrease in gas price by 4.94%; kerosene price decreased by 5.2%; the price of water and electricity for a living decreased by 0.73% and 0.76% respectively due to some localities supported the water use fee, and consumer demand decreased when the weather was cool. Besides, the price of house repair services increased by 0.46%; the price of housing maintenance materials increased by 0.57% (making the overall CPI increase by 0.01 percentage points) due to the increase in iron, steel, and cement prices and the increased demand for house repair and maintenance at the end of the year.

– The education group decreased by 0.43% (making the general CPI decrease by 0.03 percentage points), of which educational services decreased by 0.5% because some localities implemented tuition fee exemption or reduction in the 2021-2022 school year.

– Postal services and telecommunications decreased by 0.01%.

 (2) Seven groups of goods and services with an increase in the price index include:

– Garments, hats, and shoes had the highest increase with 0.22% because in the month many stores and supermarkets ended their discount promotions, along with the demand for clothes shopping during the Christmas and New Year season, stores increase their selling prices.

– Beverage and cigarettes increased by 0.2%, due to increased consumer demand at the end of the year and an increase in the price of the US dollar.

– Household appliances increased by 0.17%.

–  Food and catering services increased by 0.17%, of which: Food increased by 0.36%; food increased by 0.15%; outdoor eating and drinking increased by 0.16% due to the increase in gas prices, gasoline prices, fresh food prices, dairy prices and cooking oil prices, which made foodservice shops outside of the family increase their selling prices.

– Culture, entertainment, and tourism groups increased by 0.05%.

– Medicine and medical service group increased by 0.02%.

– Other goods and services increased by 0.14% mainly because the price of jewelry group increased by 0.6% according to the domestic gold price; hair cutting and shampooing services increased by 0.37%; the price of wedding supplies and services increased by 0.23% in the wedding season and the demand for worship items at the end of the year increased, so the prices of these items increased by 0.17%.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, CPI decreased by 0.38% compared to the previous quarter and increased by 1.89% over the same period in 2020. In which: transport group increased by 17.66% over the same period last year; beverage and cigarettes by 2.36%; housing and construction materials increased by 1.19%; garments, hats, and shoes by 0.98%; household appliances by 0.95%; medicine and medical service group by 0.22%; food and catering services increased by 0.19%; other goods and services increased by 1.36%. There were 3 groups with a decrease in price index compared to the same period last year: the education group decreased by 2.91%; postal services and telecommunications decreased by 0.78%; culture, entertainment, and tourism group decreased by 0.35%.

The average CPI in 2021 increased by 1.84% compared to the average in 2020, the lowest average increase since 2016. The average CPI in 2021 increased due to several main reasons:

(i) Domestic gasoline price increased by 31.74% over the previous year (making the general CPI increase by 1.14 percentage points), gas price by 25.89% (making the overall CPI increase by 0.38 percentage points);

(ii) Rice price increased by 5.79% over the same period last year (making the overall CPI increase by 0.15 percentage points) due to the increase in domestic rice prices in line with export prices, increasing consumer demand for good glutinous rice and plain rice in the holidays, Tet and the accumulated demand of people during the time of social distancing;

(iii) The price of housing maintenance materials increased by 7.03% over the previous year due to the increase in the price of cement, iron, steel, and sand in line with the input materials price (making the overall CPI increase by 0.14 percentage points) ;

 (iv) The price of educational services increased by 1.87% over the previous year (making the overall CPI increase by 0.1 percentage points) due to the influence of the tuition fee increase for the new school year 2020-2021 according to the roadmap of Decree No. 86/2015/NĐ-CP dated October 2nd, 2015 of the Government.

In addition, some factors were contributing to curbing the CPI growth rate in 2021:

(i) Prices of foodstuff items decreased by 0.54% over the previous year (making the overall CPI decrease by 0.12 percentage points);

(ii) In 2021, the Government continued to implement support packages for people and producers facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic, such as the support package of the Electricity of Vietnam, which has reduced electricity prices and electricity bills for customers in the fourth quarter of 2020 but implemented in January 2021 and reduced electricity prices and electricity bills for people in localities implementing social distancing according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated 31/3/2020 at the bills of August, September 2021, so the average daily-life electricity price in 2021 decreased by 0.89% compared to 2020 (making the general CPI decrease by 0.03 percentage points);

(iii) People’s demand for travel and tourism decreased due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, causing airfares to decrease by 21.15% compared to the previous year; package tour price decreased by 2.32%;

(iv) All levels and sectors under the close direction of the Government have actively implemented many synchronous solutions to prevent complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic and stabilize market prices.

Core inflation in December 2021 increased by 0.16% over the previous month, up 0.67% over the same period last year. Average core inflation in 2021 increased by 0.81% compared to the average in 2020.

b) Gold price index and US dollar

The domestic gold price fluctuated opposite to world gold prices. On average, the world gold price as of December 25th, 2021 decreased by 1.8% compared to November 2021 due to the increase of the dollar and US bond yields in line with the expectation that US interest rates will increase next year. Domestically, the gold price index in December 2021 increased by 0.25% compared to the previous month; an increase of 1% compared to December 2020, and an average increase of 8.67% in 2021 compared to the previous year.

The US dollar in world markets rose amid high US inflation, as investors moved away from riskier currencies after central banks made decisions on raising interest rates as well as concerns about the possibility of the spread of the Omicron mutation. Domestically, due to the increased demand for foreign currency by import enterprises making the US dollar price index in December 2021 increased by 0.84% ​​compared to the previous month; decreased by 0.58% compared to December 2020 and on average in 2021 decreased by 0.97% compared to the previous year.

c) Producer price index

The world commodity market in 2021 was affected by many economic, social, and political factors of countries and complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic. The world economy recovered when some countries stepped up vaccination programs against the Covid-19 pandemic, but the appearance of new strains caused the economic recovery process to show signs of slowing down. Domestically, with the Covid-19 epidemic having a profound effect on production activities, the Government and the Prime Minister have drastically directed ministries, branches, and localities to ensure the realization of the dual goal of “both disease prevention and control, and social-economic development”. Producer price index, input producer price index used for production, the merchandise export and import price indexes of goods in 2021 increased compared to the previous year. Merchandise term of trade in 2021 decreased by 2.49% compared to 2020, reflecting the unfavorable export price of goods compared to the importing goods price from abroad to Vietnam.

Producer price index (PPI) for agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 0.78% compared to the previous quarter and by 0.07% over the same period last year, in which: PPI of agricultural products and related services increased by 0.67% and decreased by 0.74%; forestry and related services by 0.17% and by 0.83%; exploited and farmed aquatic products increased by 1.18% and 2.51%.

In general, in 2021, the PPI of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products increased by 2.12% compared to 2020, of which: PPI of agricultural products and related services increased by 2.44%; forestry and related services by 0.55%; exploited and farmed aquatic products increased by 1.33%.

PPI for industrial products in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 0.71% compared to the previous quarter and by 4.33% over the same period last year, of which: PPI of mining and quarrying increased by 4.35% and by 23.9%; manufacturing increased by 0.82% and by 4.01%; production and distribution of electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioner decreased by 1.84% and increased by 0.67%; water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities decreased by 0.37% and increased by 0.95%.

In general, in 2021, PPI for industrial products increased by 2.91% compared to 2020, in which: PPI of mining and quarrying increased by 15.4%; manufacturing increased by 2.63%; production and distribution of electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioner increased by 1.16%; water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities increased by 1.45%.

PPI for services in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 0.54% compared to the previous quarter and by 1.24% over the same period last year, of which: PPI of some industries as follows: transport and storage service increased by 1.79% and by 0.76%; accommodation and food service activities increased by 0.6% and 2.04%; information and communication increased by 0.01% and 0.48%; education and training services increased by 0.44% and 0.92%; human health and social work activities increased by 0.44% and by 0.82%; arts, entertainment, and recreation increased by 0.05% and by 0.55%.

In general, in 2021, PPI for services increased by 0.95% compared to 2020, in which: transport and storage service increased by 0.11%; accommodation and food service activities increased by 1.2%; information and communication decreased by 0.06%; education and training services increased by 2.47%; human health and social work activities increased by 0.46%; arts, entertainment, and recreation increased by 0.51%.

d) Price index of materials, fuels used for production

The price index of materials, fuels used for production in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 1.18% compared to the previous quarter and 6.43% over the same period last year, of which: The price index of materials, fuels used for agriculture, forestry and fishing increased by 2.04% and 8.93%; used for manufacturing increased by 1.12% and 6.13%; used for construction increased by 1.87% and 9.68%.

In general, in 2021, the price index of materials, fuels used for production increased by 5.51% over the previous year, of which: The price index of materials, fuels used for agriculture, forestry, and fishing increased by 7.22%; used for manufacturing increased by 5.42%; used for construction increased by 6.4%.

e) Merchandise import and export price index

Merchandise export price index in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 1.62% compared to the previous quarter and by 5.13% over the same period last year, of which: Price index of agricultural products and foodstuff increased by 2.69 % and 10.15%; the fuel group increased by 6.37% and 44.64%; other manufacturing products increased by 1.29% and by 3.15%.

In general, in 2021, the merchandise export price index increased by 2.86% over the previous year, of which: The price index of agricultural products and foodstuff increased by 7.28%; the fuel group increased by 25.46%; other manufacturing products increased by 1.46%.

Merchandise import price index in the fourth quarter of 2021 increased by 3.83% compared to the previous quarter and by 9.96% over the same period last year, of which: Import price index of agricultural products and foodstuffs increased by 0.76% and 13.33%; the fuel group increased by 7.33% and 54.9%; other manufacturing products increased by 3.84% and 7.97%.

In general, in 2021, the merchandise import price index increased by 5.49% compared to 2020, in which: The price index of agricultural products and foodstuffs increased by 10.66%; the fuel group increased by 40.56%; other manufacturing products increased by 3.76%.

Merchandise term of trade in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased by 2.13% compared to the previous quarter and by 4.39% over the same period last year. In general, in 2021, the commodity trade rate decreased by 2.49% compared to the previous year, of which: The commodity trade rate of petroleum oil, refined decreased by 13.6%; iron and steel down 4.74%; wood and articles of wood down 3.34%; vegetables and fruits decreased by 0.21%; rubber increased by 2.78%; fishery products increased by 1.63%; electronic parts (including TV parts), mobile, computer and their parts increased by 0.72%.

III. SOME SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. Population, labor and employment

The average population of Vietnam in 2021 was 98.51 million people. The quality of the population has improved, fertility has decreased, and replacement fertility has been maintained since 2005. Besides, the mortality rate has remained at a low level, the average life expectancy has been increased. The labor and employment situation in the fourth quarter of 2021 improved compared to the previous quarter, but due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate in general in 2021 were higher than the previous year while the number of people with employment jobs, wages of salaried employees were lower than the previous year.

According to the results of quickly synthesizing reports of provinces and centrally-run cities, as of December 15, 2021, the whole country had about 2.2 million people returned to their localities due to the impact of the fourth Covid-19 pandemic. Among the total number of migrants, the female was 839.5 thousand people, accounting for 37.5% of the total; people aged 15 and over were nearly 1.6 million people, accounting for 70.9%. The number of people returning from Hanoi to other provinces and cities was 447.1 thousand people; from Ho Chi Minh City was 524 thousand people; from the Southern provinces was 594 thousand people and from other provinces and cities was 676 thousand people.

The labor force participation rate in 2021 was estimated at 67.7%, down 1.9 percentage points from the previous year. According to the results of quickly synthesizing reports of provinces and centrally-run cities, as of December 15, 2021, the whole country had about 2.2 million people returned to their localities due to the impact of the fourth Covid-19 pandemic. Among the total number of migrants, the female was 839.5 thousand people, accounting for 37.5% of the total; people aged 15 and over were nearly 1.6 million people, accounting for 70.9%. The number of people returning from Hanoi to other provinces and cities was 447.1 thousand people; from Ho Chi Minh City was 524 thousand people; from the Southern provinces was 594 thousand people and from other provinces and cities was 676 thousand people.

The labor force participation rate in 2021 was estimated at 67.7%, down 1.9 percentage points from the previous year.

Employed laborers aged 15 and over in the fourth quarter of 2021 were estimated at 49.1 million people, an increase of 1.8 million people compared to the previous quarter, including 14.3 million people working in the agriculture and forestry sector, accounting for 29.2% of the total; industry and construction sector was 16.9 million people, accounting for 34.3%; service sector was 17.9 million people, accounting for 36.5%. In general this year, working laborers aged 15 years and older were 49 million people, including 14.2 million people working in agriculture, forestry and fishery sector, up 0.3% compared to the previous year; the industry and construction sector was 16.2 million people, down 1.5%; service sector was 18.6 million people, down 4.1%.

Percentage of employed labors in the informal economy in non-agricultural, forestry, and fishery households in the first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, the fourth quarter of 2020 were 57.1%, 57.4%, 54,5%; 55,1% respectively. Generally, in 2021, the Percentage of employed labors in the informal economy in non-agricultural, forestry, and fishery households was estimated at 56.2%. This rate for urban areas alone in 2021 was 48.0% and in rural areas was 63.3% (in 2020 respectively, it was 56.2%; 48.4%; 62.3%).

The average monthly income of wage workers in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 6.1 million VND/month, an increase of 140 thousand VND compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 510 thousand VND compared to the same period last year, of which: Income of male employees were 6.5 million VND/month, female employees were 5.6 million VND/month. In general, in 2021, the average monthly income of salaried workers was estimated at 6.6 million VND/month, down 45 thousand VND compared to the previous year.

  1. Residential life and social security assurance

This year, the complicated and prolonged development of the Covid-19 epidemic has significantly affected people’s lives. The Government and Prime Minister have directed ministries, branches, and localities to give priority to disease prevention and control with the main task of ensuring social security and people’s lives. Especially people in the localities implemented social distancing, ensuring that people have enough to eat and clothe. According to preliminary results from the Population Living Standards Survey in 2021, the estimated average income per person per month in 2021 at current prices was about 4.2 million VND, down 73 thousand VND compared to 2020; multidimensional approach poverty rate was estimated at 4.4%, down 0.4 percentage points compared to 2020.

According to the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs, as of December 15, 2021, the total funding from the central budget has been supported according to Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated July 1st, 2021; Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP dated August 6th, 2021 of the Government and Resolution No. 126/NQ-CP dated October 8th, 2021; Decision No. 23/2021/QĐ-TTg dated 7/7/2021 of the Prime Minister was nearly 31.4 trillion VND for 28.8 million people and 337.9 thousand employers/household business. In addition, according to Resolution No. 116/NQ-CP dated September 24th, 2021 of the Government, 37.5 trillion VND was supported for nearly 22.3 million people and 363.6 thousand employers/household businesses. As of December 23th, 2021, nearly 149.1 thousand tons of rice was supported for 2.5 million households with nearly 9.9 million people suffering from hunger due to grain, disease, and natural disasters.

According to a report from the People’s Committees of 63 provinces and centrally-run cities, as of December 15, 2121, electricity and water prices have been reduced with the total support of nearly 2.3 trillion VND and 310.2 billion VND respectively for people in the whole country.

Periodic social security work and sustainable poverty reduction continue to be concerned, directed, and implemented even in disease conditions, localities have implemented many synchronous solutions, taking care of poor households. In 2021, the total value of money and gifts to support objects was 9.7 trillion VND, of which, support for people with meritorious services was 4.4 trillion VND, support for poor and near-poor households is 2.8 trillion VND; support for hunger relief for social protection beneficiaries and other beneficiaries was 2.5 billion VND. There were nearly 29.1 million social insurance cards/books and free medical examination and treatment cards distributed and donated to beneficiaries.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, by November 2021, the whole country has 5,392 communes meeting new rural standards (reaching 65.5%), it was estimated that by the end of December 2021, it reached 68% (up 5.6% compared to 2020). Of which, 490 communes have met the new enhanced rural standards and 43 have met the model-new rural standards as prescribed by the Prime Minister; There were 207 districts of 53 provinces and centrally-run cities that have been recognized by the Prime Minister as meeting new rural standards. 13 provinces and cities with 100% of communes met the new rural standards; Four provinces of Nam Dinh, Dong Nai, Hung Yen, and Ha Nam have been recognized by the Prime Minister for completing the task of building new countryside.

  1. Education and training

In the school year 2021-2022, the Education sector strengthened the Party’s mastery of policies and guidelines and the State’s laws on educational innovation and continue to realize the dual goals: ensure safety in epidemic prevention and control against Covid-19 and complete school year tasks. The national high school graduation exam in 2021 has been successfully held, ensuring seriousness, safety, and compliance with exam regulations. The number of candidates taking part in the first exam was 981,773 candidates (in which the percentage of candidates coming to the exam was 96.13%); The number of candidates taking the second exam was 11,567 candidates (the percentage of candidates coming to the exam was 97.98%). More than 12,000 candidates were considered for graduation. The national high school graduation rate in 2021 reached 98.6%, an increase of 0.2% compared to the previous school year.

As of November 2021, There are 1,904 vocational education institutions, including: 407 colleges (including 310 public schools); 439 intermediate schools (208 public schools); 1,058 vocational education centers (698 public centers). The Covid-19 epidemic has affected the enrollment and training of the whole vocational education system. In 2021, vocational training has recruited 1,896.8 thousand people, reached 80% of the year plan, of which: 482.4 thousand people are enrolled in college and intermediate education; elementary level and other vocational training programs enrolled 1,414.4 thousand people. The number of graduated students was 1,658.4 thousand people, reached 80% of the year plan, of which: 314.7 thousand people were enrolled at college and intermediate level; elementary level and other vocational training programs 1,343.7 thousand people.

  1. Epidemic diseases and food poisoning

According to the report of the Ministry of Health, in the month (November 19th to December 18th,2021, there were 6,835 cases of hemorrhagic fever (01 cases died); 226 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease; 25 cases of virus encephalitis (05 cases died) and 70 cases of scarlet fever suspected for measles, of which 34 were positive for measles. Generally, in 2021, there were 69,354 cases of hemorrhagic fever (22 cases died); 38,413 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (11 cases died); 536 cases of virus encephalitis (14 cases died); cases of meningococcal disease (2 cases died) and 509 cases of scarlet fever suspected for measles, of which 77 were positive for measles.

The epidemic of Covid-19 in the world continues to be complicated. In Viet Nam, the number of new cases has been increased in many localities; the number of serious patients and the number of deaths have not decreased. As of 16: 00 on December 27th, 2021, In Viet Nam, there were 1,666,545 cases have been reported, of which 1,259,614 cases have been cured and 31,418 deaths. Bac Kan was the only province that has not had a secondary infection in the past 14 days.

Vietnam’s vaccination against Covid-19 has been accelerated, as of December 27th, 2021: The total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccine that have been administered was 146,335,052 doses, of which the first time was 77,138,616 doses; the second time was 66,402,056 doses; the 3rd time was (additional injection, booster injection and the 3rd dose of Abdala vaccine) was 2,794,380 doses. Vaccine coverage has increased significantly from September to now. For the population aged 18 years and over, coverage of at least 1 dose of vaccine was 98.8% and coverage of 2 doses was 88.5%. For the population 12-17 years of age, coverage of at least 1 dose of vaccine was 81.0% and coverage of 2 doses was 43.5%.

The total number of people living with HIV nationwide as of December 18th, 2021 was 213.833 persons and the number of deaths by HIV/AIDS as of the above time-point was 110,990 persons.

In December 2021, there were  02 cases of food poisoning with 31 persons poisoned. Generally, in 2021, there were 58 cases of food poisoning with 1,557 persons poisoned (5 deaths).

  1. Cultural and sports activities

Mass physical training and sports activities continued to be promoted and improved in quality, many mass sports activities were organized such as “Olympic Running Day for the Health of the People in 2021”; guiding people to practice sports to improve health and prevent disease in the 2021-2025 period with the theme “The whole family practices now, defeating Covid”. Organized 07 sports competitions, national mass sports tournaments attracting 6,335 officials and athletes to attend, and 06 training courses on physical training and sports skills for 986 officials, instructors, junior sports collaborators.

Vietnam’s high-performance sports in 2021 focused on training and coaching high-achieving athletes to participate in regional, continental, and world sports tournaments such as Olympic, Paralympic Tokyo, SEA Games 31, ASEAN Para Games 11, and other international sports tournaments. Specifically, summoned 3,406 turns of athletes, 679 coaches, 42 fitness coaches, 26 experts (in which the national team includes: 1,736 athletes, 343 coaches, 19 experts; the national youth team included 1,670 athletes, 336 coaches, 7 experts). In the country, 74 sports tournaments have been organized and 07 training courses for referees and sports coaches have been opened.

In 2021, the Vietnamese sports delegation reached 32 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 15 bronze medals (including 02 gold medals, 07 silver medals, 07 bronze medals in world competitions; 02 gold medals, 01 silver medal, 02 bronze medals in tournaments in Asia; 28 gold medals, 06 silver medals, 06 bronze medals in open international tournaments).

  1. Traffic accident

In 2021, the number of traffic accidents, deaths, and injuries from traffic accidents decreased compared to last year due to many months of strict implementation of regulations on traffic safety and prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In December (from November 15th to December 14th, 2021), there were 1,342 traffic accidents nationwide, including 865 traffic accidents of less serious or more serious, and 477 traffic collision cases, causing 655 deaths, 480 injuries, and 477 minor injuries. Compared with the previous month, the number of traffic accidents increased by 13.9% (the number of traffic accidents of less serious or more serious increased by 16.4%, and the number of traffic collisions increased by 9.7%); the number of dead people increased by 17.2%, the number of injured people increased by 17.1%, and the number of minor injuries increased by 10.7%. Compared to the same period last year, the number of traffic accidents in December decreased by 12% (the number of traffic accidents of less serious or more serious increased by 1.9%, and the number of traffic collisions decreased by 29.4%); the number of deaths increased by 0.5%; the number of injured people increased by 10.1% and the number of minor injuries decreased by 33.4%.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, there were 3,318 traffic accidents nationwide, including 2,132 traffic accidents of less serious or more serious, 1,186 traffic collisions, causing 1,591 deaths, 1,194 people injured and 1,177 people suffered minor injuries. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of traffic accidents increased by 85.4% (the number of traffic accidents of less serious or more serious increased by 77.7%; the number of traffic collisions increased by 101%); the number of deaths increased by 68.2%; the number of injured people increased by 97%, and the number of minor injuries increased by 115.6%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 20.2% (the number of traffic accidents of less serious or more serious decreased by 9.8%; the number of traffic collisions decreased by 33.8%); the number of deaths decreased by 12.8%; the number of injured people decreased by 5% and the number of minor injuries decreased by 39.3%.

In general, in 2021, there were 11,454 traffic accidents nationwide, including 7,370 traffic accidents of less serious or more and 4,084 traffic collisions, causing 5,739 deaths and 3,889 injuries, and 4,109 people were slightly injured. Compared to 2020, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 23.6% (the number of traffic accidents of less serious or more serious decreased by 14.5%; the number of traffic collisions decreased by 35.9%); the number of deaths decreased by 16.4%; the number of injured people decreased by 15% and the number of minor injuries decreased by 37.6%. On average, one day in 2021, nationwide, there were 31 traffic accidents, including 20 traffic accidents of less serious or more and 11 traffic collisions, causing 16 deaths and 11 injured and 11 people with minor injuries.

  1. Damage caused by natural disasters

Natural disasters occurred in the month (from November 19th to December 18th, 2021) mainly due to the influence of heavy rain, storm, and drought causing 20 deaths; 6 people were injured; 254.8 thousand cattle and poultry died; 11.5 thousand hectares of rice and 10.8 thousand hectares of crops were damaged; 256 houses collapsed, washed away and damaged, the damage was estimated at 1,269.9 billion VND, up 171.2% over the same period last year. In general, in 2021, natural disasters made 139 people dead and missing, 150 people injured; 393.9 thousand cattle and poultry died; 130.3 thousand hectares of rice and 78.5 thousand hectares of crops were damaged; 766 houses collapsed, swept away and 14.9 thousand houses were flooded and damaged; total value of property damage was estimated at 4,876.9 billion VND, down 87.5% compared to the previous year.

  1. Environmental protection and fire and explosion prevention

In December 2021, the authorities discovered 662 cases of environmental violations, of which 584 cases were handled with a total fine of 15.1 billion VND. In general, this year, 15,690 cases of environmental violations were detected, of which 14,042 cases were handled with a total fine of 240.7 billion VND.

During the month, there were 182 fires and explosions in the whole country, killing 10 people and injuring 7 others. The damage was estimated at more than 17.6 billion VND. In general, in 2021, there were 2,230 fires and explosions in the whole country, killing 97 people and injuring 145 others, with estimated damage of 379.4 billion VND.

GENERAL STATISTICS OFFICE

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