The scene after the earthquake in Cianjur town, Indonesia's West Java province, on November 21 (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
As a comprehensive strategic partner, France intends to back Vietnam with a very concrete approach as it has done for the past 40 years: support for reforms, financing of structure projects, and long-term partnerships in key sectors of the Vietnamese economy, Ambassador Olivier Brochet said.
The first meeting of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on January 23 unanimously elected To Lam, General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee, to this position for the 14th tenure.
Regarding foreign policy, the orientations for the next five years, as adopted by the Congress, represent both a continuation and an evolution of Vietnam’s foreign policy.
Professor Nguyen Van Phu, Research Director at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), assessed the Congress’s orientations as correct and timely, but stressed that success hinges on swift, consistent and substantive implementation.
Kyril Whittaker, a UK-based Vietnam specialist, that Vietnam’s 40-year Renewal (Doi Moi) process has succeeded thanks to three closely intertwined factors - a scientific and practical approach to reform, the Communist Party of Vietnam’s leadership role, and the principle of placing the people at the heart of all policies.
High-ranking leaders of Laos, China and Cambodia sent their messages and letters of congratulations to General Secretary To Lam on his re-election as the Communist Party of Vietnam chief by the 14th Party Central Committee on January 23 afternoon.
The officials welcomed the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, and agreed to promote cooperation in education and training, people-to-people exchanges and tourism.
The political report integrates three previously separate documents - the political report, the socio-economic report and the review of Party building - into a single, unified and comprehensive one, with clearer priorities. Designed to be concise, easy to understand, remember and implement, this integration stands out as a key hallmark of the Congress.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse will pay a state visit to Vietnam from January 26 to 27.
The Party chief stressed that the 14th National Congress was a resounding success, calling it a historic milestone in the Party’s 96-year journey and the country’s millennia-long history.
The Party has no other goal than improving the lives of the people, affirmed General Secretary To Lam
Party leader To Lam showed his belief that with unity, resolve, and a shared vision, Vietnam will successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, building a stronger nation that continues to rise with confidence and responsibility on the global stage.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Professor Pan Jin’e, a senior researcher at the Academy of Marxism under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said General Secretary Lam is a top leader well suited to Vietnam’s development requirements in the new era.
Vietnam now stands at the threshold of a new development era, driven by strong aspirations and substantial potential. The 14th Party Congress is, therefore, of decisive importance for the country’s future transformations, particularly amid an international environment marked by uncertainty and volatility. While this phase may be among the most complex of the renewal process, it also presents a critical opportunity for Vietnam to break through and evolve from an “Asian tiger” into a regional “dragon.”
Tran Sy Thanh, Politburo member, Chairman of the Inspection Commission of the 13th Party Central Committee, was elected Chairman of the commission for the 14th tenure, assisted by nine deputy chairpersons.
For the 2026–2030 period, key targets for Vietnam include average annual GDP growth of at least 10%; per-capita GDP of about 8,500 USD by 2030; manufacturing and processing accounting for roughly 28% of GDP; the digital economy contributing around 30% of GDP.
The report adopted at the 14th National Congress successfully integrates the practical experience of socialist construction in Vietnam with the CPV’s leadership theory, highlighting both reform and leadership characteristics, said Professor Xu Liping, Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Science (CASS).
Reda El Taify, former Egyptian Ambassador to Vietnam and current Director of the Egyptian Public Library Fund, said Vietnam's accomplishments are reflected across three major pillars – socio-economic development, national defence and security, and foreign affairs.
General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee To Lam re-elected as the Party chief for the 2026 – 2031 term, Vietnam's attendance at a signing ceremony for the founding charter of the Board of Peace aimed at ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip, and Fitch Ratings' upgrade of Vietnam’s senior secured long-term debt instruments to BBB- are among news highlights on January 23.
Addressing the congress on behalf of the 14th Party Central Committee, General Secretary To Lam expressed profound gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in him, describing it as a great honour and a heavy responsibility before the Party, the people and the nation.
