Ottawa (VNA) – The Canada–Vietnam Friendship Society (CVFS) has hosted a hybrid seminar to discuss key outcomes of the 14th National Party Congress and highlight Vietnam’s recent development achievements, as well as its strategic goals for 2026–2030 and long-term vision toward 2045.
As part of activities to celebrate the 96th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) (February 3, 1930 – 2026) and the success of the 14th National Party Congress, the event brought together crowds of Canadian scholars and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Canada.
Presentations at the event reflected the spirit and core messages of the 14th National Party Congress, which was described as a vital milestone ushering in a new development phase amid global and regional changes.
Speaking at the seminar, Pham Cao Phong, former Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada and CVFS Vice President highlighted the significance of the Congress, saying it demonstrates the strategic vision and high political determination of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam in ushering the nation into a new era of development.
He noted that the Congress clearly identified urgent and strategic priorities and breakthrough tasks for the coming period, with a key highlight being the call for a fundamental shift in development mindset - from extensive growth to in-depth and sustainable development driven by science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resources.
Delegates also clarified orientations toward building a people-centred economy, in which the people are both the driving force and the ultimate beneficiaries of development, while underscoring the role of national solidarity in realising the goals by the Congress.
According to Philip Fernandez from the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), the 14th National Congress of the CPV was a significant and historic event not only for Vietnam’s socio-political life but also for overseas Vietnamese (OV) communities as it affirmed a shared consensus that the country possesses the necessary conditions and a clear action plan to make breakthroughs toward becoming a developed, prosperous, and happy nation by 2045 - the 100th founding anniversary of the nation.
Fernandez highlighted that the 14th National Congress distinguishes itself from previous congresses through the unprecedentedly wide engagement of all social strata, including OVs, in discussions and contributions, underscoring the principle that the people shape history while the Party guides, organises, and inspires the nation’s development aspirations.
Participants applauded Vietnam’s notable achievements during the 13th National Congress term, viewing them as a solid foundation for the country’s next development period. Citing the UN Development Programme’s assessments, they highlighted significant progress in human development, multidimensional poverty reduction, and the pursuit of sustainable development goals.
Steve Rutchinski, a member of the CVFS’s Executive Board, spotlighted the principle “leaving no one behind” as a key pillar of Vietnam’s development strategy, saying that this is reflected in sustainable poverty reduction programmes, support for vulnerable groups and ethnic communities in disadvantaged areas. He said that these achievements exemplify the people-centred development orientation reaffirmed by the 14th National Party Congress.
Education and digital transformation were underscored at the seminar as strategic foundations for Vietnam’s breakthrough, including initiatives to boost digital literacy, develop high-tech human resources, and align vocational training with modern labor market demands.
Commenting on the goals set by the 14th National Party Congress for 2026–2030 and the vision toward 2045, Fernandez described them as ambitious and expressed confidence that with its tradition of resilience, national unity, and the CPV’s leadership, Vietnam will achieve these objectives, just as it has secured historic successes in the past.
The CVFS said it will continue hosting dialogues, seminars, and academic exchanges throughout 2026 to enhance public understanding of Vietnam in Canada, and to promote friendship, cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries./.
