Mr Triet praised the province for its outstanding efforts to fulfil socio-economic development targets last year, including a GDP growth rate of 14.8 percent, which is double the national average rate.

He pointed out difficulties facing Vietnam in 2009 as a consequence of the global economic and financial slowdown and asked Binh Duong to overcome challenges and achieve a high GDP growth rate in 2009.

He also asked the province to pay special attention to taking care of social policy beneficiaries, particularly the poor.

Later, Mr Triet visited and presented Tet gifts to several social policy beneficiaries and the poor in the province.