Hanoi (VNA) - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam attended a meeting on February 26 between Hanoi’s voters and candidates for deputies to the 16th National Assembly for the 2026–2031 term in election constituency No. 1, where he set out major strategic orientations focused on international integration, education reform, environment protection and innovation.
The election constituency No. 1 includes General Secretary Lam and four other candidates.
Addressing the event, the Party chief expressed his appreciation for voters' candid and responsible opinions, many of which touched upon both international situation and pressing domestic concerns, with the overarching goals of safeguarding stability, fostering development and improving the people’s living standards.
Responding to a query on Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy, he stressed that comprehensive foreign affairs are the cause of the entire Party, people and political system, with close coordination among Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, alongside the active engagement of the National Assembly, ministries, localities and citizens.
Vietnam, he noted, remains committed to being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, while continuing to modernise its diplomatic practice and uphold President Ho Chi Minh’s principle of “ultilising the invariables in response to variables.”
The 14th National Party Congress defined foreign affairs and international integration as a vital and regular task, placing them at the centre of efforts to safeguard peace, ensure stability and create favourable conditions for national development.
Vietnam’s participation as a founding member in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace for Gaza, recently held in Washington D.C., the US, stood as a testament to the country’s proactive and strategic approach to foreign policy. Positive assessments from both domestic and international observers of Vietnam’s role at the event reflect the growing stature and maturity of the Party’s foreign policy, General Secretary Lam affirmed.
Turning to education, the General Secretary emphasised that education and training constitute a top national policy and a strategic breakthrough in human development. While acknowledging significant achievements, he candidly recognised persistent shortcomings that have prevented education from fully becoming a powerful driver of rapid and sustainable growth.
He highlighted the Politburo’s Resolution 71, which calls for fundamental, comprehensive and substantive reform, ending formalistic and piecemeal approaches. The National Assembly and Government have institutionalised key mechanisms to address bottlenecks in legal frameworks, financing and human resources. New initiatives include the construction of primary and secondary boarding schools in border communes, lunch support for primary pupils and the expansion of STEM classrooms to link theory with practice.
However, he stressed that a sound policy must be matched by effective implementation. Legal frameworks and mechanisms must be further refined to ensure stable, long-term reform without overburdening teachers, students and families. Particular priority should be given to disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas to guarantee equitable access to education. The ultimate goal is genuine quality - teachers confident in their profession, students learning better and families reassured - thereby preparing a capable and ethical workforce for the country’s next stage of development.
On environmental protection, General Secretary Lam underlined that documents of the 14th National Party Congress place environmental protection on par with economic growth and social security. The approach must shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention, promoting green transition, circular economy models and greater transparency to enable public oversight.
Regarding science, technology and innovation, he reaffirmed that these areas, along with digital transformation, must serve as the principal drivers of a new growth model. The Party Central Committee is expected to issue thematic resolutions in 2026 to concretise this vision, including strategic measures to achieve double-digit growth based on technological advancements, innovation and digitalisation.
Key directions include breakthroughs in institutions, development of digital and data infrastructure, nurturing Vietnamese technology enterprises to master strategic technologies, accelerating comprehensive digital transformation and cultivating high-quality human resources.
For young voters, he called on the youth to lead in study, research, entrepreneurship and technological mastery, nurturing ambitious aspirations that contribute to national advancement and enhance Vietnam’s standing in the international community./.
