Realizing Vietnam’s Aspiration for National Prosperity

With the guiding principle of “Solidarity - Democracy - Discipline - Breakthrough - Development,” the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has just concluded successfully, marking a significant political event that opens a new era of development for the country.

Strategic vision and the highest level of political resolve

According to General Secretary To Lam, the Congress’s guiding principle is not merely a slogan, but truly a call to action and a mandate of responsibility before history, affirming unshakable confidence in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the Vietnamese People.

Following a meticulous, thorough, and scientific preparation process, with broad-based input from across the Party and the People, the documents adopted by 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, responsibilities are clearly defined: who does what, 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 handbook for action for the Party and the entire political system, a “guiding torch” lighting the way on the country’s new development path.

General Secretary To Lam indicated that 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 have immediately translated 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 has been translated into a practical implementation plan, with clearly defined objectives, solutions, and evaluation criteria. The principle that “the People are 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.

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. 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.

Setting out revolutionary and breakthrough orientations and solutions

According to the General Secretary, the coming 5-10 years constitute a pivotal period of decisive significance for the country’s two centenary strategic goals. Within this 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.

Panoramic view of 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam

Because time is limited and the tasks ahead are heavy and decisive, 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 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. If Vietnam seizes opportunities and overcomes challenges 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.

Looking ahead, Vietnam has no option other than success. “Ahead lie many difficulties and challenges, yet our 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,” General Secretary To Lam stressed. The goal of “prosperous people, a strong country, democracy, equity, and civilization” set by the Party is not merely an aspiration but a solemn pledge to the People. Therefore, every official and Party member - especially those with primary responsibilities - must continually strive to rise higher and overcome their own limitations.

According to the General Secretary, in a world marked by constant turbulence, opportunities and challenges have never been so intricately intertwined. 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.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that nearly six million Party members and more than 100 million compatriots share a common 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 stand together, unite in purpose, and strive through labor, study, work, and service to successfully implement the Congress Resolution. Now is the time to turn every guideline and resolution into action and concrete results.

At this special moment, the words of President Ho Chi Minh resonate more strongly than ever: “Forward! Total victory will surely be ours!” His call once became an unshakable belief that inspired the nation to rise and secure independence and freedom. Today, in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, that call continues to carry momentum, reinforcing the resolve to overcome poverty and backwardness and to build a prosperous and happy country that stands shoulder to shoulder with nations around the world.

By Mai Anh, Vietnam Business Forum