The Congress set out a strategic vision, clearly defining the country’s path forward in a new era, towards realising development goals to 2030 and the vision to 2045.
Aspiration for strength and a new journey ahead
After nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), Viet Nam has accumulated new strength and momentum, gradually affirming its position on the international stage. However, the road ahead poses higher and more comprehensive development requirements, calling for strong renewal in thinking, institutions, and modes of action.
Held at a time of special historical significance for the country, the 14th National Party Congress carries a distinctive mission: to unify thinking, ignite the aspiration for development, and create momentum for action across the entire political system. Beyond answering the question of how far the country has come, the Congress clarifies the path towards realising the aspiration for a strong, prosperous, and happy nation. The most crucial point is the decisive shift from extensive development thinking to in-depth, sustainable development based on quality. This is no longer an option but an inevitable requirement for the country’s future development.
The documents of the 14th National Party Congress emphasise rapid yet sustainable development, with growth closely linked to labour productivity, science, technology, innovation, and the quality of human resources. Growth is measured not only by GDP figures, but by the quality of life of the people, the level of social equity, environmental sustainability, and social trust. This represents harmonious development across the economy, culture, society, and people, creating a policy framework and development confidence, and laying an important foundation for the Congress to continue inheriting, developing, and elevating the Party’s strategic thinking in the new period.
Right at the opening session, the messages delivered by Party General Secretary To Lam carried profound significance, reflecting the great aspirations of the nation and the Party’s highest political commitment to the people. Building a strong Viet Nam means not only economic strength, but also strength in institutions, culture, resilience, and international prestige. A prosperous Viet Nam is not measured solely by the scale of material wealth, but by prosperity within each family and community. And a happy Viet Nam is one where people live in safety, are respected, enjoy fairness, and have opportunities for comprehensive development.
This spirit runs throughout the documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress and serves as the guiding thread for all policies and orientations in the coming period, opening a new development chapter for the nation. When the will of the Party meets the aspirations of the people, when institutions are unblocked and action is pursued resolutely, Viet Nam will rise steadily and confidently enter a new era of development — an era of a strong, prosperous, and happy country.
The Party’s highest political commitment to the people
Presenting the report on the Congress documents at the opening session and highlighting key contents and new points in the draft documents, the Party General Secretary stated that the three strategic breakthroughs identified at the 13th National Party Congress remain relevant for the entire 2021–2030 period. First, breakthroughs in institutions and implementation. Second, breakthroughs in human resources, especially high-quality human resources linked with science, technology, and innovation. Third, breakthroughs in synchronous and modern infrastructure. However, entering the term of the 14th National Party Congress, the requirement is to act more forcefully, more swiftly, and more thoroughly, as these are the decisive levers for the country’s breakthrough.
The overarching idea in the documents, and the source of strength of the Vietnamese revolution, is that “the people are the foundation”. The people are the centre, the subject, the objective, the driving force, and the resource of development. All policies and guidelines must aim to improve the material and spiritual life of the people, ensure their mastery, respect them, listen to them, and rely on them. The Party General Secretary affirmed that the Party must maintain close ties with the people, wholeheartedly serve them, be subject to their supervision, and be accountable to them for all its decisions.
Public trust in the Party does not stem from words, but from actions; from the fairness and integrity of officials; from the effectiveness of the apparatus; from equity in benefits; and from tangible results in protecting legitimate rights and interests and promptly and thoroughly addressing legitimate concerns of citizens and businesses. In a new stage, greater attention must be paid to building the people-centred posture.
Never before has the aspiration for a democratic, strong, prosperous, civilised, and happy Viet Nam been so close; yet never before have we faced so many challenges, such intense demands and competitive pressures as today. Therefore, “organisation and implementation must go hand in hand with discipline. Party discipline must come first. The discipline of the State must be strict. All power must be controlled. All responsibilities must be clearly defined. All violations must be handled, and all genuine efforts for the people and the country must be recognised and protected,” the Party General Secretary affirmed.
