Vietnam pledges reform to deliver prosperity for its people

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam has pursued reform for 40 years and will continue the process as a continuous effort to bring a more prosperous life to the people.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam shared the view at an international press conference today [January 23] announcing the results of the 14th National Party Congress.

Speaking at the press conference, General Secretary To Lam said he was pleased to meet domestic and international journalists covering the 14th National Party Congress.

He thanked reporters for their constant presence at the Press Center to report on the Congress, helping people at home and abroad and international friends follow developments at the 14th Party Congress, which is called “a resounding success and a very successful congress.”

General Secretary To Lam described it as a historic milestone in the 96-year history of the Communist Party of Vietnam and in the nation’s broader historical journey.

He said the 14th Party Congress was a congress of unity and consensus that reflected the will, courage, aspirations and culture of the Party and the people in a new stage of national development.

“I once again thank you for fully conveying the spirit and substance of the Congress to the Vietnamese people and international friends,” he said.

According to the general secretary, the Congress reached a high level of consensus in selecting the 14th Party Central Committee with 200 members, including 180 full members and 20 alternate members.

The newly elected Party Central Committee then voted to form the Politburo, elect the General Secretary, the Secretariat, the Central Inspection Commission and its chairman.

“These are comrades who possess the moral qualities, prestige, capacity and qualifications to shoulder major responsibilities before the Party and the people in the new period,” he said.

He added that the 14th Party Central Committee was made up of people “ready to devote themselves to the noble cause of the Party and to the happiness and prosperity of the people.”

The Congress adopted historic policy decisions to successfully implement the two 100-year goals.

Lam said he was confident that Vietnam would successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress and build an independent, strong, democratic, civilized and happy nation.

New growth model to realize long-term vision

Answering questions about new points of the Congress, he said all innovations were based on inheritance and the crystallization of lessons of thousands of years of nation-building and defense and nearly 100 years under the Party’s leadership.

They also reflected the continuation of the reform process initiated and carried out by the Party.

He said the first new point was the approach to drafting the Congress documents. The Political Report was integrated from three reports: the Political Report, the socio-economic report and the report on Party building. This was a major highlight of the Congress.

The 14th Party Congress took place in an important historical context that requires a new vision, not only for the current term but also toward 2045. By 2031, when the 14th term ends, the Party will review the Platform to study the formulation of a new Platform suited to the new context.

He said Vietnam’s vision does not stop at 2045 but looks toward reviewing 100 years of national development under the Party’s leadership. “Over the past 100 years, we have followed the Platform set out by the Party and achieved many great accomplishments.”

This is a task the 14th Central Committee must carry out so that by 2031, Vietnam can review 100 years under Party leadership and build a vision for the next 100 years. “This is a very long-term vision that the 14th Congress has the responsibility to implement,” he said.

Another new point is that Vietnam’s development in this period must be fast, effective and proactive and requires an appropriate development model.

He said Vietnam must build a development model to achieve double-digit growth. “Only with double-digit growth can we achieve the targets,” he said, stressing the need to change the growth model.

To bring resolutions into practice, he said this Congress places strong emphasis on action. Lessons from previous terms showed that implementation must be concrete and effective so that Party policies quickly deliver visible benefits to the people.

“The core issue is organization and implementation,” he said. In the past, many sound policies were not implemented as required. This time, the Congress documents include a specific action program instead of waiting until after the Congress.

When the Congress ends, the Politburo will issue its first directive on organizing the implementation of the Congress resolutions.

He stressed the need to strongly renew the growth model, with science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the central driving forces. All bottlenecks must be removed to mobilize resources, along with strict mechanisms for inspection, supervision and handling of inertia and responsibility avoidance.

A culture of integrity and accountability will be strengthened, with the people placed at the center, as both the subject and the goal of development.

Deeper global integration

Answering a question from a Russian journalist, Lam said Vietnam’s foreign affairs and its role in global issues have been elevated.

Vietnam’s policy is to integrate deeply into global politics, the global economy and human civilization.

“Countries, whether large or small, share common responsibility for global and cross-border challenges such as natural disasters, epidemics, cybersecurity and war,” he said. “No country, no matter how powerful, can solve such major problems alone without international cooperation.”

He said after 40 years of reform, Vietnam’s national capacity has changed significantly. Vietnam now has sufficient position and credibility to take part in addressing regional and global issues.

Vietnam will continue working with countries and international organizations on peacekeeping, disaster relief and peacebuilding at the regional and global levels.

“We are ready to contribute more as a mediator and bridge for peace building,” he said.

On development, he said Vietnam shares challenges faced by many countries and is ready to share its experience. The more uncertain the world becomes, the more countries must unite and actively participate in regional and global institutions such as ASEAN and the United Nations.

Vietnam is ready to take part in peacebuilding based on the United Nations Charter and in line with its national conditions.

Answering a question from Japan’s NHK, he said peace requires openness and integration. Vietnam’s economy has a very high degree of openness and its security is closely linked to regional and global security.

Without international integration, development is impossible. Therefore, at the 14th Party Congress, foreign affairs have been elevated to a new level to promote openness and integration.

He said that in a changing world, cooperation is essential to address common challenges. Vietnam has shifted from being a recipient to being a contributor in international relations.

Vietnam will build a new growth model with international integration at its core, together with political, security and defense integration to enhance national standing.

“The country's top priority will be placed on integration in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, while removing bottlenecks and putting the people at the center,” the general secretary stated.