On January 20, the 14th National Party Congress opened ceremonially at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, with the participation of 1,586 delegates representing more than 5.6 million Party members nationwide.

Under the theme "Unity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthrough – Development," the Congress reviews the country's journey, especially nearly 40 years of Renewal, sets goals toward the Party's 100th anniversary in 2030, defines a vision toward the 100th anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2045 and affirms the aspiration to build a prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam.

The Congress Presidium includes 16 Politburo members, including General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Standing Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu.

Attending the Congress were former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, former Politburo members and former Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang, former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and former Politburo members and former National Assembly Chairpersons Nguyen Van An, Nguyen Sinh Hung and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Also attending were former Standing Politburo member and former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Pham The Duyet, along with former Politburo members and former Standing Secretaries of the Secretariat Phan Dien, Le Hong Anh and Tran Quoc Vuong.

Other participants included former Politburo members, former Party Central Committee Secretaries, former Central Committee members from the fourth to eighth terms, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, representatives of intellectuals, religious dignitaries, outstanding youth, diplomatic delegations, international organizations and foreign embassies in Vietnam.

The Hanoi Party Committee delegation attending the Congress includes 68 members, led by Politburo member and Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc.

At the opening, Chief of the Party Central Office Pham Gia Tuc, Head of the Secretariat Delegation, announced the results of the election of the Presidium and Secretariat at the preparatory session. Standing Secretary of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu then presented the Congress agenda.

Accordingly, the Congress will consider four reports: the Political Report of the 13th Central Committee, the report summarizing 40 years of socialist-oriented renewal in theory and practice, the report reviewing 15 years of implementing the Party Charter from 2011 to 2025 with proposed amendments and the report reviewing the leadership and direction of the 13th Central Committee. The Congress will elect the 14th Central Committee.

On behalf of the Presidium, President Luong Cuong delivered the opening speech, affirming that the 14th National Party Congress is a major political event and a historic turning point toward the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2030.

The Congress embodies the will, aspirations and determination of the entire Party, people and armed forces to advance confidently into a new era with strategic autonomy and self-reliance, aiming for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam firmly advancing toward socialism.

The President noted that the Congress takes place amid rapid, complex and unpredictable global and regional developments, intensified strategic competition among major powers and growing nontraditional security challenges, especially climate change and epidemics.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly the explosive development of artificial intelligence, digital technology, quantum technology and other emerging technologies, is transforming all aspects of socio-economic life. These changes require urgent establishment of new growth and development models, higher labor productivity, improved competitiveness and new approaches to social governance, national defense, security and foreign affairs.

After 40 years of Renewal, Vietnam has achieved major and comprehensive accomplishments of historic significance, improved living standards and happiness and enhanced its international reputation and standing.

However, the country still faces challenges, including growth below potential and limited sustainability, low labor productivity, constrained competitiveness, ongoing hardship for some citizens and complex impacts from climate change, natural disasters, epidemics and cybersecurity risks.

President Luong Cuong emphasized that the 14th Congress carries an enormous historical responsibility. It must not only define goals for the 2026–2030 term but also decide strategic issues shaping the nation's future for decades, mobilizing all resources and aspirations for development.

The Congress must also promote the strength of the people and national unity, combine it with the spirit of the times, advance comprehensive renewal, build and defend the nation and fulfill the goal of a strong Vietnam standing alongside global powers, as envisioned by President Ho Chi Minh.

He affirmed that the 14th Congress marks the beginning of a new development era for the nation, demonstrating steadfast resolve, unity and determination to build a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam advancing toward socialism.

He urged delegates to demonstrate responsibility, intellect and dedication, uphold unity and democracy and engage in in-depth discussions to ensure the Congress's success.

Choose correctly, act quickly, follow through fully, measure by results

Presenting the report of the 13th Central Committee on documents submitted to the Congress, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the 14th National Party Congress is a momentous political event for the entire Party, people and armed forces.

The Congress opens a new development stage under new conditions and objectives and reflects strategic autonomy, self-reliance, national pride, aspiration and unwavering trust in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the people.

The Congress takes place at a historic moment as the nation advances toward two strategic milestones: 100 years of the Party's leadership in 2030 and 100 years of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in 2045.

These goals require honest assessment, renewed thinking, institutional reform, stronger national governance capacity and decisive, effective action for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized and happy Vietnam advancing toward socialism.

According to the General Secretary, the draft documents include the Political Report, the report reviewing 40 years of renewal and the report reviewing 15 years of implementing the Party Charter with proposed revisions.

The Political Report integrates political, socio-economic and Party-building reports into a unified, comprehensive document that is focused, concise and practical for implementation.

The action program to implement the 14th Congress resolution represents a breakthrough by clearly defining responsibility, timelines, resources and outcomes.

The Politburo also proposed summarizing 100 years of Party leadership from 1930 to 2030 and outlining national development for the next century, as well as reviewing 40 years of implementing the national development platform during the socialist transition.

The report highlights key themes, including the achievements of the 13th Congress term, principles guiding document preparation, development goals for 2026–2030 and vision to 2045, eight core strategic orientations, three strategic breakthroughs, the principle that people are the foundation and implementation focused on action and results.

General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Congress theme is both a call to action and a historic responsibility. Under the Party's banner, the entire nation must unite and act decisively for a prosperous and happy Vietnam.

The theme demands stronger unity, discipline and creativity, along with humility, openness to learning and continuous self-improvement. The Congress carries the responsibility for setting launchpad decisions to achieve the nation's two centennial goals.

The General Secretary outlined overall goals for 2026–2030, including maintaining peace and stability, achieving rapid and sustainable development, improving living standards and advancing confidently in the new era.

The country aims to become a modern industrial and upper-middle-income developing nation by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045.

He emphasized targets of average annual GDP growth of at least 10% during 2026–2030 and GDP per capita of about $8,500 by 2030.

The report identified five major guiding viewpoints, 12 key orientations, six priority tasks and three strategic breakthroughs. The action program distilled these into eight core requirements centered on choosing correctly, acting quickly, following through fully and measuring results.

One hundred nine political parties send congratulations

Following the General Secretary's report, Bui Thi Quynh Van, Deputy Head of the Central Organization Commission, announced that the Congress had received congratulatory messages from political parties, organizations, international partners and overseas Vietnamese associations.

As of January 19, the Congress received 559 messages from 109 political parties, six international and regional organizations, 16 individuals, 122 civil organizations and 306 overseas Vietnamese associations.

She said these messages provide strong encouragement for Vietnam's renewal led by the Communist Party and reflect deepening cooperation and friendship between the Party and international partners.

The Congress then heard Tran Cam Tu, Standing Secretary of the Secretariat, present the report reviewing the leadership and direction of the 13th Central Committee.