People’s Organizations and International Friends Express Confidence that 14th National Party Congress Will Open New Phase of Development for Vietnam
	International Partners Express Confidence in the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam

On October 15, 2025, the 13th-tenure Party Central Committee released the full texts of the draft documents for nationwide public consultation. This marks a broad-based political exercise, reflecting a strong spirit of democracy and a determination to further consolidate the close bond between the Party and the people. According to the Editorial Board of the 14th National Congress documents, these drafts contain many new and breakthrough elements, demonstrating a willingness to face realities squarely and assess the situation objectively, thereby proposing decisive policies to drive rapid and sustainable national development. A notable innovation in form is that, for the first time, three key reports, on politics, socio-economic development, and Party building, have been integrated into a single, unified Political Report, reflecting systems thinking and a commitment to synchronized action.

On the afternoon of October 15, the Central Commission for Communication and Mass Mobilization, in coordination with relevant agencies, held an international press conference to announce the draft documents to be submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party for public consultation. (Photo: VGP)

The theme of the 14th National Congress clearly embodies this spirit: “Under the glorious flag of the Party, joining hands and uniting wills to successfully realise the country’s development goals to 2030; ensuring strategic autonomy, fostering self-reliance and confidence, advancing firmly in the era of national rise for peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civilisation and happiness, and steadfastly progressing towards socialism.” This theme serves as a powerful message, rallying the entire nation to enter a new phase of development with a renewed mindset.

Reshaping the ideological and institutional foundations of the nation

One of the historically significant breakthroughs in the current draft documents lies in the advancement of theoretical thinking and institutional development. These are regarded as foundational changes that will shape the framework for the nation’s overall development strategy in the decades ahead.

Foremost among the new developments is the inclusion of the “theory of the renewal path” into the Party’s ideological foundation, alongside Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought. According to the Editorial Board, this represents a development of historic significance, demonstrating the maturity and self-renewing capacity of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The theory of the renewal path is a profound synthesis of nearly 40 years of renewal practice and a creative application and development of the universal principles of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought under Vietnam’s specific conditions. It shows that the Party is not dogmatic, but consistently links theory with practice, enriching the ideological treasury of the Vietnamese revolution. This affirms that Vietnam’s path toward socialism is a dynamic and creative process, aligned with the country’s realities and the trends of the times.

In addition, the draft documents introduce strategic adjustments in identifying key tasks. For the first time, “environmental protection” has been elevated to a “central” task, on par with economic and social development. This represents a profound shift in thinking, from viewing the environment as a secondary concern to be addressed after consequences arise, to recognizing it as an indispensable pillar of sustainable development. This perspective not only reflects Vietnam’s responsibility to future generations but also aligns with its strong international commitments, such as the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Illustrative photo. (Source: Internet)

Similarly, the task of “foreign affairs and international integration” has, for the first time, been defined as “key and regular,” on an equal footing with national defense and security. In a world characterized by deepening integration and increasingly intense strategic competition, this approach affirms that foreign affairs are not merely a tool for cooperation, but also a means of safeguarding the Homeland “early and from afar.” It opens the way for a more comprehensive strategic framework, promoting close coordination among the three pillars of defense, security, and diplomacy to best protect national and ethnic interests.

A revolution in administrative institutions is also emphasized. This involves resolutely implementing the reorganization of the organizational apparatus and building a two-tier local government model. As Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has noted, this is a revolution aimed at restructuring the overall model of the political system toward being streamlined, lean, strong, effective, and efficient. Such reforms will not only reduce intermediary layers and save resources, but also strengthen decentralization and delegation of authority, promote the proactive and creative role of localities, bring government closer to the people, and improve services for citizens and businesses alike.

Forging new drivers for the prosperity and happiness of the people

If breakthroughs in thinking and institutions lay the foundation, then the new socio-economic orientations constitute the concrete drivers that will enable the country to take off, with the ultimate goal of national prosperity and the happiness of the people.

One of the boldest highlights in the draft documents is the target of striving for an average GDP growth rate of 10% per year or higher during the 2026-2030 period. According to the analysis of Prof Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan, Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, achieving this target will require a series of breakthrough and innovative solutions. This high-growth objective is not based on the old model, but is closely linked to “establishing a new growth model, with science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the main driving forces.” This is a strategic orientation that shifts the economy from extensive to intensive development, from reliance on natural resources and low-cost labor to reliance on knowledge, technology, and high labor productivity.

To realize the new growth model, the roles of different economic sectors are more clearly redefined. Notably, the draft documents mark a historic step by affirming that “the development of the private sector economy is one of the most important driving forces of the economy.” This represents a continuation and advancement of the Party’s thinking, from merely “recognizing” the private sector, to considering it “an important driving force,” and now “one of the most important driving forces.” This viewpoint paves the way for improving mechanisms and policies to fully unleash the potential of this dynamic sector, creating a fair and healthy competitive environment in which all enterprises have opportunities to grow.

Alongside efforts to energize the economy, the draft documents place special emphasis on comprehensive human development. For the first time, a national value system, a cultural value system, family values, and standards of the Vietnamese people are articulated in a concrete and systematic manner. The national value system is defined as: peace, unity, independence, democracy, strength, prosperity, affluence, civilization, and happiness. Culture and people are identified as the foundation, endogenous resources, and a powerful driving force for sustainable development.

In this spirit, breakthrough policies in education and healthcare are proposed with very specific objectives, directly targeting the rights and interests of the people. The draft advocates building a modern national education system on par with regional and global standards, including humane policies such as implementing tuition-free education for students from preschool to high school. In healthcare, the goal is set to “strive by 2030… to basically achieve universal free hospital care.” These decisions not only reflect deep concern for social welfare, but also represent strategic investment in “human capital” - the nation’s most valuable resource.

Naval parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Day. (Photo: thuonghieucongluan.com.vn)

In the fields of national defense and security, the draft documents also demonstrate breakthrough thinking. For the first time, the phrase “breakthrough development of the defense and security industry” is affirmed, with the objective of building an autonomous, self-reliant, self-sufficient, dual-use, and modern industry. This reflects Vietnam’s determination to achieve technological self-reliance and firmly safeguard the Homeland under all circumstances, especially in the context of high-tech forms of warfare.

Overall, the draft documents to be submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam outline a comprehensive, coherent, and highly aspirational development strategy. With a strong spirit of renewal, breakthrough thinking, and the principle of “placing the people at the center,” Vietnam is demonstrating a very high level of political determination to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and lead the country into an “era of national rise,” realizing the goal of building a strong, prosperous, and happy Vietnam.

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