14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress: Innovating to Accompany Workers in a New Era

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According to the plan, the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress for the 2026-2031 term will be held at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with the participation of 780 official delegates representing millions of trade union members and workers nationwide. The Presidium of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) has established 51 delegations to attend the Congress, comprising representatives from provincial and municipal labour federations, central industry trade unions, trade unions of economic groups, and trade unions of affiliated state-owned corporations.

The Congress is taking place at a time when trade union members and workers across the country are joining the entire Party, people, and armed forces in implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It also follows the successful nationwide elections of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, as well as the consolidation of state agencies and local governments at all levels. The Congress is regarded as a significant political event for the working class and the Vietnam Trade Union organization as the country continues to accelerate industrialization, modernization, and labor market restructuring under the impact of digital transformation.

The Congress holds special significance in shaping trade union activities and enhancing efforts to care for and protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of trade union members and workers, while reaffirming the role of trade unions in building a modern and strong Vietnamese working class. Under the motto “Solidarity - Democracy - Discipline - Innovation - Development,” the 14th Congress is expected to lay the foundation for new advancements in trade union activities, improving the effectiveness of worker representation, care, and protection in the new stage of development.

The official logo of the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress for the 2026-2031 term. (Photo: Vietnam Trade Union)

Building a strong and comprehensive Trade Union Organization

According to the Draft Report of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour submitted to the 14th Congress, the 2026-2031 term identifies key objectives as continuing to expand trade union membership, improve the organizational model, and enhance the effectiveness of trade union activities. It also aims to invest resources and innovate approaches to fulfilling the tasks of representing, caring for, and protecting the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of trade union members and workers.

The Trade Union organization will also promote workplace democracy, strengthen communications and mobilization efforts to encourage workers to pursue innovation and creativity, take the lead in applying science and technology, participate in building new productive forces, and improve labor productivity.

To realize these objectives, the new term has identified two major breakthroughs:

First, improving the quality of trade union officials, particularly full-time union staff and grassroots trade union presidents, in order to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of representation, negotiation, and the protection of workers’ rights and interests.

Second, strongly applying science and technology and digital transformation in trade union activities, while also utilizing technology as a tool to enhance the production and business efficiency of enterprises and the broader economy.

Key tasks and solutions for the upcoming term will focus on improving the effectiveness of worker representation, care, and protection; enhancing the role of trade unions in state governance and socio-economic management; strengthening inspection, examination, and oversight; expanding international cooperation; and continuing to innovate operational methods across all levels of the Trade Union organization.

Notably, several major initiatives planned for implementation during the 2026-2031 period will focus on improving the effectiveness of dialogue and collective bargaining, promoting stable employment and sustainable incomes, accelerating comprehensive digital transformation in trade union activities, and developing an open, flexible, and adaptable trade union organizational model suited to the new economic context.

As the Government sets ambitious growth targets for the coming period, the Trade Union organization is also expected to work more closely with businesses and workers to improve labor productivity, enhance the quality of human resources, and contribute to achieving the goal of double-digit economic growth.

Innovating to adapt to a new generation of workers

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An, President of the Vietnam Education Trade Union. (Photo: Vietnam Education Trade Union)

One of the major requirements facing the Trade Union organization today is the need to adapt to the rapid transformation of the workforce, particularly under the impact of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and emerging employment models. According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An, President of the Vietnam Education Trade Union, developing a new workforce capable of meeting the demands of the industrial revolution and digital transformation has become an urgent necessity.

He emphasized that education and training are the decisive factors in shaping the quality of future human resources. In this regard, lecturers, scientists, and researchers at educational institutions play a pivotal role in cultivating a highly skilled workforce.

However, alongside new opportunities come new challenges for the Trade Union organization, particularly in changing its approach to caring for, supporting, and accompanying trade union members. “The new approach is to identify the professional challenges faced by each union member and develop mechanisms and policies that enable scientists to devote themselves wholeheartedly to research and innovation with confidence and peace of mind,” Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An stressed.

According to him, the Trade Union organization needs to transform its approach to fulfilling its responsibilities, adjust the way activities are organized at the grassroots level, and innovate leadership methods at higher levels to better align with new realities.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An also expressed his hope that the 14th Congress would more clearly identify the characteristics of the new generation of workers and employees under current conditions, thereby defining emerging labor relations and developing sufficiently effective trade union tools to intervene and support workers when necessary.

“What I hope the 14th Congress will emphasize is that trade union officials are the key factor. Trade union officers need not only enthusiasm and a spirit of dedication, but also the qualifications and capabilities required to earn workers’ trust and address emerging challenges,” Dr. Nguyen Ngoc An said.

The 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress is therefore not only a milestone marking the beginning of a new term but also an important step in preparing for major national milestones, including the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam Trade Union, the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the centenary of the nation. In the new context, the imperative to reform the Trade Union organization stems not only from internal requirements but also from the profound transformations taking place in the economy and workforce in a new era of development.

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