Party Congress XIV drafts highlight environment, diplomacy as key development pillars

THE HANOI TIMES — For the first time, the draft Political Report and related documents submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam have identified the environment and foreign affairs as core pillars of the country’s overall development strategy.

This marks a significant new point in the documents to be presented at the upcoming Congress, Ta Ngoc Tan, Standing Vice Chairman of the Politburo's Central Theoretical Council, said at a press conference jointly held by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity, Education and Mass Mobilization on October 15 to announce the draft documents for public feedback.

“The documents add new perspectives on sustainable development, placing the environment at the center alongside the economy, society, national defense, security and foreign relations as the five pillars of development,” he said.

According to Tan, the documents reaffirm the Party’s steadfast adherence to Marxism–Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, while recognizing the theory of renewal as a foundational component of the Party’s mindset.

The drafts identify the private sector as a key driver of the national economy, along with the dominant roles of the state and collective economies. This represents a new step in the Party’s economic thinking, aligning with the realities of development and global integration.

The sections on Party building, the political system and the administrative apparatus have also been substantially revised. For the first time, the Party’s organizational system will be aligned with the state administrative structure at all levels, ensuring unified and direct leadership from the central to grassroots level.

Another major change is the streamlining of intermediate organizations at district and township levels, focusing on strengthening grassroots political systems to make them more efficient, practical and closer to the people.

Tan noted that the upcoming Congress marks the first time all contents and reports are consolidated into a single Political Report instead of three separate ones as in previous congresses – the Political Report, the Socio-Economic Report and the Party Building Report.

The theme of the Political Report remains consistent with the goal of national independence associated with socialism, reaffirming that the path toward socialism is the steadfast choice of the Party and the people.

The draft outlines two major milestones: by 2030, the centennial of the Party’s founding, Vietnam aims to become a developing country with upper-middle income; and by 2045, the centennial of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, it strives to become a developed, high-income nation.

The documents emphasize the values of strategic autonomy, resilience, confidence and national aspiration toward peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civility and happiness.

“The restructuring and new approach in the draft Political Report reflect a significant step forward in the Party’s theoretical and practical leadership,” said Tan.

“This unification ensures coherence, focus and consistency in the Party’s mindset, guidelines and policies, helping officials, Party members and citizens easily understand and implement the country’s development goals,” he added.

The 14th Congress also marks the first time the Party’s Commission for Publicity, Education and Mass Mobilization have jointly held an international press conference to announce the draft documents, demonstrating transparency, openness and democratic spirit.

The Party seeks feedback from domestic officials, members, citizens and international scholars and experts to enhance the quality of the documents, aiming to maximize collective wisdom, public responsibility and people’s participation in shaping Party guidelines and policies that serve national interests and the well-being of the people, Tan said.

“It is not only at this stage that the people’s opinions are sought. The entire drafting process has already involved participation from the public, intellectuals, Party committees and organizations,” he said.

“This broad participation ensures the documents reflect the country’s realities, strategic vision and national aspirations,” Tan added.

Nguyen Quang Duong, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission, said that reforming the political system’s organizational apparatus is among the most crucial issues addressed in the documents submitted to the 14th Congress.

Since October 2024, building on seven years of implementing Resolution 18-NQ/TW, the Party Central Committee and Politburo have reviewed and restructured the organizational apparatus, according to him.

The streamlining process has been carried out uniformly from central to local levels. The Party’s agencies, the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have all gone through reorganization to suit practical needs.

Administrative units have also been consolidated. After reorganization, the two-tier local government model has operated smoothly and effectively, receiving positive evaluations.

“In practice, agencies and units are now working more effectively and closer to the people, better serving public needs. This policy has gained strong support from officials, Party members and citizens and has also been positively recognized internationally,” Duong said.

“This is the result of comprehensive reform, showing the Party’s strong political will to build a streamlined and effective political system – a key factor in the nation’s sustainable development.”

Draft documents pending for public feedback for the 14th Party Congress Three draft documents include: (1) The draft Political Report of the 13th Party Central Committee to be submitted to the 14th National Congress, titled “Under the glorious flag of the Party, uniting to realize the nation’s development goals toward 2030; achieving strategic autonomy, resilience and confidence in the new era; striving for peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civility and happiness on the path to socialism.” (2) The draft report summarizing theoretical and practical issues after 40 years of reform toward socialism in Vietnam. (3) The draft report reviewing 15 years of implementing the Party Charter (2011–2025) and proposing amendments and revisions. Public feedback from National Assembly delegates, the Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, officials, Party members and citizens will be collected from October 15 to November 15, 2025. The consultation will take three forms: conferences, seminars and workshops at all levels and sectors, online submissions via the VNeID app and written contributions through the press, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations.