The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi concluded with the adoption of a long-term development strategy aimed at positioning the country to navigate an increasingly volatile global environment. The Congress reaffirmed socialist development, mass participation, disciplined reform, and people-centred governance amid global instability.

The conference was held at a decisive juncture for the Vietnamese revolution and for the wider struggle of peoples asserting independent paths of development in a turbulent global order. As Vietnam approaches two historic thresholds, the centenary of Party leadership in 2030 and the centenary of the Socialist Republic in 2045, the Congress carries a responsibility that is not symbolic, but material — to determine how socialist construction advances under conditions of mounting imperialist pressure and change.

This Congress began from a process rooted in the Party’s mass line and its insistence that socialism must be built with, and through, the people. From October 15 to November 6, 2025, the draft Political Report and related documents were placed before the public for discussion. More than 5 million Party cadres and citizens participated, contributing more than 14 million opinions.

Presenting the report of the 13th Central Committee, General Secretary To Lam underlined that the 14th Congress is not a routine event but a milestone, “opening a new path of national development” under conditions of profound change. He characterised the Congress as one of strategic self-reliance, self-strength, and national pride, reaffirming unwavering confidence in the socialist path chosen by the Communist Party of Vietnam, by President Ho Chi Minh, and by the people themselves.

“The Congress meets in a world defined by crisis, marked by climate disruption, epidemics, fractured supply chains, intensifying geopolitical rivalry, and expanding security threats, both traditional and new,” he pointed out. In response to these conditions, the Party’s documents reject illusion and complacency, insisting instead on political clarity and responsibility. “This moment demands a direct confrontation with the truth and an accurate assessment of the situation,” he added.

The draft documents submitted to the Congress include a unified Political Report integrating political orientation, socio-economic development, and Party building, a comprehensive review of 40 years of socialist-oriented reform and an assessment of 15 years of implementing the Party Charter, accompanied by proposals for amendment. The accompanying Action Programme, described as a “breakthrough,” identifies responsibilities, road maps, resources, and measurable goals, marking a clear shift from general orientation to disciplined execution.

Reviewing the 13th Congress term, the report did not evade the severity of the challenges faced, natural disasters, epidemics, global instability, security pressures, and internal constraints accumulated over time. Yet, under these conditions, the Party maintained unity and discipline. Vietnam preserved macroeconomic stability, sustained growth, improved people’s livelihoods, strengthened social consensus, safeguarded sovereignty, and expanded international relations, without surrendering independence.

The leadership insisted on Marxist self-criticism as a condition for further advance. “We have frankly pointed out the limitations, weaknesses, and bottlenecks that need to be addressed,” he said, citing institutional inadequacies, infrastructure gaps, uneven implementation, lapses in discipline, shortcomings among some cadres, and unresolved social and environmental problems.

He stressed that “correct identification is essential for correct solutions and correct actions,” and warned explicitly against complacency, “We must absolutely not rest on our laurels.”

Looking back over 40 years of reform, the Party reaffirmed that its reform line is correct, rooted in Vietnam’s concrete conditions and aligned with the progressive currents of the time. This path consistently defines the people as the centre and subject of development, binds national independence inseparably to socialism, and rests on three fundamental pillars: a socialist-looking market economy, a socialist rule-of-law state, and socialist democracy.

From practice, the Party has drawn enduring lessons: the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought; the decisive role of Party leadership; the foundational position of the people; the necessity of disciplined implementation and effective governance; and the continuous renewal of strategic thinking while respecting objective laws and rejecting dogmatism, voluntarism, and opportunism.

The Congress set clearly defined development goals for the period 2026-2030, aiming for fast and sustainable growth, improved quality of life, strengthened strategic autonomy, and the transformation of Vietnam into a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, moving steadily toward high-income socialist development by 2045.

Throughout the report, the principle that “the people are the foundation” runs as a consistent thread. The leadership stressed that trust cannot be declared into existence but must be earned. As the General Secretary stated, “The people’s trust in the Party does not come from words, but from actions” from integrity, fairness, efficiency, and the tangible improvement of people’s lives. A central emphasis of the Congress is therefore on the demand for implementation. Correct policies lose all meaning when they are delayed, diluted, or distorted. The documents insist on clear responsibility, strict supervision, effective use of resources, honest public service, and transparency. Party discipline is placed first; the rule of law must be strictly enforced; power must be controlled; wrongdoing must be punished; and genuine dedication to the people must be protected.

The 14th National Congress is thus presented not as a ceremonial gathering but as a congress of action, discipline, unity, and renewal. Under the banner of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Party, the people, and the army are called to translate determination into concrete results so that the people see, believe, participate in, and benefit from the socialist path of development.

To Lam Re-elected General Secretary

To Lam was re-elected the general secretary at the end of the conference. Lam, a veteran of the People’s Public Security Forces with more than 40 years of service, served as the minister of public security from 2016 until his election as general secretary of the CPV in 2024, following the demise of Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Delivering the closing speech at the Congress, Lam outlined the strategic direction ahead, and reiterated that the Party remains committed to maintaining peace and stability while advancing rapid and sustainable development. Vietnam, he said, aims to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income status by 2030, and a high-income developed country by 2045, when it will mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The goal, he added, is to build “a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilised, and happy Vietnam”. “The overarching spirit of the 14th Party Congress,” he said, is one of “strategic autonomy, seizing opportunities, unity, and overcoming all challenges”.

The Congress identified socio-economic development and environmental protection as central tasks, with Party building designated as a decisive priority and culture and human development as the foundational pillars of national renewal. Lam acknowledged that ambitious plans mean little without effective implementation. He warned against weak execution and bureaucratic inertia, calling on Party organization at all levels to move decisively from policy to practice. “Each Party committee, each Party member, and especially the head,” he stressed, “must shift from correct understanding to effective implementation.”

On foreign affairs, the Congress reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, and cooperative foreign policy. Vietnam, Lam said, remains “a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community”, prepared to deepen cooperation in pursuit of peace, stability, and shared development, while preserving strategic autonomy in a polarised world.

Stronger grassroots governance in ethnic minority regions

A paper presented at the 14th Congress focused on “strengthening the political system in ethnic minority areas and enhancing the people’s trust in the Party.” The paper, presented by Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, member of the Party Central Committee and secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Committee, drew on practical experience from his province. The newly formed Lam Dong province has nearly 700,000 ethnic minority people, accounting for 17.6 per cent of its total population. The province also occupies a strategically important location. It links the Central Highlands with the South Central Coast and the Southeast region, shares a 141km land border with Cambodia, has a 192km coastline, and is now the largest province in Vietnam by area.

Kdam noted that while Lam Dong has made significant progress in building and consolidating the political system in ethnic minority areas, the process remains fraught with difficulties. Socio-economic development is uneven, living conditions in remote ethnic minority areas remain challenging, and the gap between these regions and urban or lowland areas is still wide. Outdated customs such as child marriage, consanguineous marriage, superstition and prolonged wedding ceremonies continue to hinder social progress. At the same time, hostile and reactionary forces have exploited issues related to ethnicity, religion, democracy and human rights to spread misinformation and incite division.

Despite these challenges, he said that Lam Dong has consistently prioritised ethnic affairs. Party committees and authorities at all levels have issued and implemented numerous resolutions, action programmes, projects and support policies aimed at improving socio-economic conditions and strengthening grassroots political systems in ethnic minority areas. “These efforts have brought about clear changes,” Kdam said, noting that the material and spiritual lives of ethnic minority people have improved and their trust in the Party has been strengthened.

Kdam proposed a number of key tasks and solutions to further strengthen the political system and consolidate the people’s trust in the Party. These included reinforcing grassroots Party organisations, improving leadership capacity and combat strength, and prioritising the training, planning and effective use of ethnic minority cadres, especially in leadership positions, along with appropriate incentives to encourage long-term commitment in ethnic minority areas. The proposal also called for building a more effective and efficient government system by promoting decentralisation, administrative reform and digital transformation, particularly at the commune level, while strengthening grassroots democracy and enhancing state management in ethnic affairs.