General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has just concluded with great success, standing as a particularly momentous political event that opens a new era of development for the country. The Congress represented an intense convergence of the will, aspirations, and determination of the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army, crystallizing the nation’s intellect and its aspiration to rise. The Congress’s guiding principle - “Solidarity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthrough – Development” - is not merely a slogan; it is a genuine call to action and a mandate of responsibility before history, affirming unwavering confidence in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and our People.

Following a thorough, rigorous, and scientific preparation process, together with broad-based input from across the Party and the people, the documents adopted at the 14th Congress reflect strategic vision and the highest level of political resolve. Notably, for the first time in the history of Party congresses, the 14th Congress issued an action program accompanying the Resolution - a breakthrough designed to ensure that the Resolution is immediately put into practice. From policy orientation to planning and organization of implementation, it is clearly defined who is responsible, when tasks are carried out, what resources are required, and what the final objectives are. As a result, the Resolution of the 14th Congress has truly become a practical handbook for action for the Party and the entire political system, a “guiding torch” lighting the way on the country’s new development path.

The Resolution of the 14th Congress sets out exceptionally clear, bold yet feasible overarching goals for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision through 2045: maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; advancing rapid and sustainable national development; comprehensively improving the People’s living standards; and strengthening autonomy and self-reliance to move decisively into the nation’s new era.

More importantly, the Congress documents immediately translate this spirit of resolute action into concrete terms. The action program accompanying the Resolution places particular focus on the requirement to “make the right choices – deploy quickly – follow through thoroughly – measure by results” across all tasks. Each major decision of the Congress is translated into a practical implementation plan, with clearly defined objectives, solutions, and evaluation criteria. The principle that “the People as the roots” runs consistently throughout: the People stand at the center and as the driving force of development, with all policies directed toward improving their material and spiritual well-being, while respecting, listening to, and fully mobilizing their role as masters of the nation. As a result, the Resolution of the 14th Congress goes beyond vision and orientation, carrying the pulse of real life, igniting development aspirations and strong momentum for action, ready to be put into practice immediately after the Congress.

General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee To Lam (second from right) is re-elected as the Party chief for the 2026-2031 term at the first meeting of the 14th Party Central Committee, January 23, 2026

From resolution to action

With the Resolution adopted and the action program clearly defined, what remains is action. The Congress requires Party committees at all levels to promptly disseminate, study, and translate the Resolution into programs and plans suited to their respective localities and units, swiftly bringing both the Resolution and the action program into real life. The overarching spirit is a decisive shift from “talk” to “action,” from awareness to implementation. The Congress documents make clear the need to resolutely and thoroughly address the problems of “talking much but doing little,” “speaking well but acting poorly,” and “saying one thing and doing another,” and to put an end to bureaucratic and formalistic working styles. Every Party committee, every Party organization, and every cadre and Party member, especially those in leadership positions, must heighten their sense of responsibility and lead by example in turning decisions into reality. From now on, “words must be matched by deeds” must become a guiding principle of action; every policy and task must clearly define objectives and solutions, link responsibility to results, align breakthroughs with sustainability, and ensure that discipline in implementation is measured by the People’s satisfaction.

Entering a new phase, every sound guideline, once issued, must be carried out with tenfold determination and a hundredfold effort in practice; political resolve must be at its highest, effort at its strongest, and action at its most decisive - an imperative arising from the nation’s will and aspiration for development. From the central to local levels, from Party and State agencies to the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations, all must move forward in unison with renewed momentum; in this process, every cadre and Party member - first and foremost each member of the Party Central Committee - must lead by example, daring to think, to speak, to act, to take responsibility, and to innovate for the common good, with service to the People serving as the highest measure of work effectiveness.

Former and current Party and State leaders and delegates attend the 14th National Party Congress

The next 5–10 years

The coming 5–10 years will be a pivotal period of decisive significance for the country’s two centenary strategic goals. Within this relatively short timeframe, Vietnam must both complete the objectives of the 2026–2030 period and lay a solid foundation for achieving higher development milestones by 2045. The goal for 2030 is to transform the country into one with modern industry and upper-middle-income status. This requires the economy to sustain average annual growth of 10% or higher over many consecutive years - an unprecedented breakthrough pace, yet an entirely feasible target if all resources are fully mobilized and effectively utilized. By 2045, the country must resolutely achieve the goal of becoming a developed, high-income Vietnam on par with leading nations worldwide.

Given the limited time and the heavy, decisive nature of the tasks ahead, the 14th Congress set out revolutionary and breakthrough orientations and solutions to seize every opportunity and overcome all challenges. Over the next five years, comprehensive acceleration is required across all key areas: the economy must achieve strong breakthroughs to sustain high growth; science, technology, and innovation must be vigorously advanced as drivers of development; and institutional reform, together with improvements to the investment and business environment, must be pursued resolutely and transparently to unlock all social resources. At the same time, social sectors such as education, health care, and culture must receive attention and investment commensurate with economic growth, ensuring harmonious and sustainable development. The building and rectification of the Party and the political system continue to face very high requirements, particularly in developing a contingent of officials equal to their tasks - those who are “truly exemplary in moral qualities, intellect, and mettle, and fully capable of leading the successful fulfillment of the major missions entrusted by the Party, the State, and the People.”

The term of the 14th National Party Congress is an exceptionally important period for the entire Party and the entire people to achieve the highest accomplishments in celebration of the Party’s 100th anniversary in 2030. From now on, the mindset of “five-year action with a twenty-year vision” must be fully embedded in leadership and governance. This means that successfully fulfilling immediate five-year objectives will simultaneously lay a solid foundation for goals in subsequent years. Sound and breakthrough decisions taken today will not only deliver tangible results for the 2026–2030 period, but will also generate momentum for a leap in development in the decades ahead. If opportunities are seized and challenges overcome during this pivotal 5–10-year window, the country will undoubtedly take off strongly, realizing the aspiration of building a powerful Vietnam by the mid-21st century. Conversely, missed opportunities or delays and missteps during this critical juncture would come at an extremely high cost, potentially squandering the opportunity of an entire nation and leaving the country further behind in a rapidly changing world. Fully aware of this, the entire Party and the People are determined to act with speed and resolve from the very start of the term, allowing “not a single day to be wasted, not a single week to be delayed”.

Rising above challenges

Looking ahead, there is no option other than success. The 14th Congress has ignited a flame of invincible confidence, placing upon the entire Party and the entire People a historic responsibility that is extraordinarily heavy yet profoundly honorable. Many difficulties and challenges lie ahead, but the Party allows no room for hesitation or failure on the chosen path. Standing alongside the Party are the trust, affection, and expectations of more than 100 million compatriots, and before us lies the fate of the entire nation in the 21st century. The goal of “a prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, equity, and civilization” set by the Party is not merely an aspiration, but a solemn pledge of honor to the People. Therefore, every official and Party member, especially those who bear primary responsibilities, must constantly remind themselves to rise higher and overcome their own limitations. Reform cannot be delayed, action cannot be slowed, and complacency or resting on past achievements cannot be allowed. Experience from previous terms shows that where political resolve is strong and leadership is focused, unified, and hands-on, progress follows; where there is laxity, complacency, or insufficient determination, even sound policies struggle to succeed.

History has shown that the Vietnamese nation has never bowed to any enemy or hardship. From the earliest days of nation-building and defense, our forebears forged a tradition of resilience and indomitability: the greater the hardship, the stronger the unity and shared resolve to prevail. In the 20th century, under the Party’s leadership, the nation achieved victories that “resounded across the five continents and shook the globe.” In the new era, on the front of socio-economic development, that same spirit of “never retreating, never faltering, only moving forward without pause” must be fully brought into play. The Party and the People are determined to secure victory in the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland, for every delayed step and every unmet objective affects the future of the entire nation. “Success, certain success!” - that is the mindset and political resolve engraved deeply as implementation of the Resolution of the 14th Congress begins.

In a world marked by constant turbulence, opportunities and challenges have never been so intricately intertwined. The country’s destiny depends on the ability to seize opportunities and overcome challenges. Deep international integration brings mounting competitive pressures, yet it also opens pathways to knowledge, advanced technology, and development resources from abroad. Economic globalization provides large markets for Vietnamese goods and services, while requiring continuous strengthening of internal capabilities to move up the global value chain. Global geopolitical shifts may affect the environment of peace and stability - a prerequisite for development - making the task of safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and a peaceful environment ever more demanding. The new context calls for new thinking and vision: strategic proactivity, constant vigilance and perceptiveness in analysis, flexibility and creativity in response, and steadfast adherence to principles without rigidity.

With the mettle and intellect of the Vietnamese nation, and with the trust, unity, and consensus of the People, favorable conditions can be expected to outweigh challenges. The country’s position and strength, after more than half a century of reunification, have grown stronger than ever, providing a firm foundation for confident advancement. Vietnam’s steadily rising reputation and standing internationally create favorable conditions for cooperation and support from global partners. What matters most is maximizing internal strengths while harnessing external resources, turning this combined power into a driving force for national development. Proactive adaptation and vigorous innovation are the keys enabling Vietnam to weather volatility and advance steadily in a changing era.

Certain victory

At this special moment, the words of beloved President Ho Chi Minh resonate more strongly than ever: “Forward! Total victory will surely be ours!” His call in earlier days became an invincible belief that inspired the nation to rise up and secure independence and freedom. Today, in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, that call continues to surge with momentum, strengthening resolve to overcome poverty and backwardness and to build a prosperous and happy country, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends across the world.

Nearly six million Party members and more than 100 million compatriots carry within them a shared aspiration for a strong and powerful Vietnam. The 14th Congress has entrusted this mission with the banner of decisive victory. Now is the time for the entire Party, the entire People, and the entire armed forces to close ranks, unite in common purpose, and vigorously strive in labor, study, work, and service to successfully implement the Resolution of the Congress. Now is the time to turn every guideline and resolution into action and concrete results. The future and destiny of the country demand action - action with even greater determination. The entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army act together in the spirit of “each person working twice as hard,” armed with new knowledge, supported by science and technology, under the guiding light of the Party; we act with indomitable will, advancing on all economic, cultural, and social fronts like “soldiers in peacetime”; as a result, the effectiveness generated will be tenfold, a hundredfold.

From unwavering confidence in the Party’s leadership and in the strength of the People, we declare in unison: “Under the glorious flag of the Party, for the bright future of the nation, forward - victory is certain.”

Forward! Total victory will surely be ours!