THE 14TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM: SOLEMN OPENING, TOWARDS A NEW ERA

This year the 14th National Party Congress is held from January 19th to 25th 2026. Taking place from January 19th to 20th 2026 starting with the Preparatory and Opening Sessions, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is a particularly significant political event.  Held over seven days at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, the Congress gathers 1,586 delegates representing the intellect and will of the entire Party.

A Brief History: The 1st National Congress (1935)

The 1st National Congress was held from March 27th to 31th 1935, in Macau (China). This was the first National Congress since the Party’s inception in 1930, featuring 13 official delegates representing 600 Party members from both domestic and overseas chapters.

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The Congress elected a 19 member Central Committee, with Comrade Ha Huy Tap as General Secretary. The Central Committee also appointed Comrade Nguyen Ai Quoc as the representative of the Communist Party of Indochina to the Communist International.

The 1st National Congress was a milestone event, marking the end of the period of struggle to preserve and restore the Party’s organizational system from the grassroots to the central level. This provided the essential foundation for the Party to enter a new era of struggle with a battle-hardened vanguard.

The 14th National Congress (2026)

The 14th National Congress convenes under the theme: “Under the Party’s Glorious Flag, United and Unanimous in Successfully Implementing the Country’s Development Goals to 2030; Strategic Autonomy, Self-reliance, Confidence, and Firm Progress in the Era of National Ascent for Peace, Independence, Democracy, Prosperity, Civilization, Happiness, and Steady Advancement toward Socialism.”

Guided by the motto “Unity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthrough – Development,” the Congress defines the vision and strategic decisions to advance firmly into a new era. It aims to achieve the 2030 goals (marking the Party’s centenary) and realize the 2045 vision (marking the 100th anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).

Scale and Strategic Orientation Documents

The Congress is attended by 1,586 delegates representing over 5 million Party members nationwide. On January 20th, the Opening Ceremony was broadcast live on VTV1 at 8:00 AM. Along with the Closing Session, these are the only two sessions open for live broadcast and direct press coverage. Other sessions are held in camera (closed-door), with media updates provided through the Congress Press Center.

The focus of this Congress is to discuss and approve a system of strategic documents, including:

• The Political Report of the 13th Central Committee.
• The report summarizes theoretical and practical issues regarding the 40-year Doi Moi (Renovation) process (1986 – 2026) under the socialist orientation.
• The report summarizing 15 years of implementing the Party Statutes (2011 – 2025) and orientations for supplementing and amending the Party Statutes.
• The review report on the leadership and guidance of the 13th Central Committee, presented by Comrade Tran Cam Tu, Member of the Politburo and Standing Member of the Secretariat.

Messages of “Aspirations” in the New Era

In the report presented to the Congress, General Secretary To Lam established breakthrough objectives, affirming strong political resolve:

• Rapid Economic Growth: Targeting a GDP growth rate of at least 10% per year during the 2026–2030 period.
• Large-scale Administrative Reform: Implementing a “revolution” in streamlining the Party and State apparatus, resolutely reducing intermediate layers to enhance executive efficiency.
• Persistent Anti-corruption Efforts: Affirming the “no-stop, no-rest” struggle, shifting the focus toward strictly controlling power through the legal system.

International Solidarity and Support

The resonance of the 14th Congress is reflected in the profound interest from international friends. Comrade Bui Thi Quynh Van, Member of the Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Organizing Commission, presented a notification regarding congratulatory messages sent to the Congress (1st phase), with an impressive total of 559 letters and telegrams, including:

• 109 political parties and 6 international and regional organizations.
• 16 individuals, 122 people’s organizations, and 306 associations of overseas Vietnamese.

On behalf of the Presidium, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for this friendship and valuable support. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the CPV continues to consistently implement a foreign policy of independence and autonomy, contributing to the cause of peace and social progress worldwide.

Leadership and the Congress Presidium

The event gathers current and former high-ranking leaders, demonstrating solidarity and succession between generations.

The Congress Presidium (16 members of the 13th Politburo):

1. General Secretary To Lam (Chairman of the Presidium).
2. Comrade Luong Cuong (State President).
3. Comrade Pham Minh Chinh (Prime Minister).
4. Comrade Tran Thanh Mẫn (Chairman of the National Assembly).
5. Comrade Tran Cam Tu (Standing Member of the Secretariat).
6. Comrade Le Minh Hung (Head of the Central Organizing Commission).
7. Comrade Phan Dinh Trac (Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission).
8. Comrade Nguyen Xuan Thang (Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics).
9. Comrade Bui Thi Minh Hoai (Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee).
10. Comrade Nguyen Hoa Binh (Standing Deputy Prime Minister).
11. Comrade Do Van Chien (Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly).
12. General Phan Van Giang (Minister of National Defense).
13. General Luong Tam Quang (Minister of Public Security).
14. Comrade Nguyen Van Nen (Standing Member of the 14th Congress Document Subcommittee).
15. General Nguyen Trong Nghia (Director of the General Department of Politics, Vietnam People’s Army).
16. Comrade Nguyen Duy Ngoc (Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee).

Guests and Former Leaders

The Congress was honored to welcome former leaders of the Party and State: Former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former State Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former Chairmen of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An, Nguyen Sinh Hung, and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; along with revolutionary elders, Heroic Mothers, religious dignitaries, and foreign Ambassadors.

Guests and Former Leaders

The Congress was honored to welcome former leaders of the Party and State: Former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former State Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former Chairmen of the National Assembly Nguyen Van An, Nguyen Sinh Hung, and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; along with revolutionary elders, Heroic Mothers, religious dignitaries, and foreign Ambassadors.

Electoral Process: Democratic, Strict, and Transparent

Personnel work at the 14th Congress is conducted according to the principle of democratic centralism, strictly adhering to Decision No. 190 issued by General Secretary To Lam.

• Election of the Central Committee: The Congress is expected to elect 180 official members and 20 alternate members. Delegates will hold detailed discussions within their delegations regarding the list introduced by the 13th Central Committee, while also having the right to nominate others or run for election.
• Candidate Margin: As regulated, the number of candidates will not exceed the seats by more than 30% (equivalent to a maximum of 234 official candidates and 26 alternate candidates).
• First Plenum: After the Central Committee of the 14th tenure is elected, the Committee will hold its first Plenum to elect key positions: the Politburo, the General Secretary, and the Secretariat. The election results will be reported and officially announced before the Closing Session.

The election process ensures the principles of equality, directness, and majority vote to select those with both virtue and talent to shoulder responsibilities in the new term.

Significance of the 14th Congress

The 14th National Congress is not only an event of leadership succession but also the starting point for a new journey. With ambitious economic goals and a determination to streamline the apparatus, the Communist Party of Vietnam is demonstrating a strong spirit of innovation, ready to lead the nation firmly into an era of integration and sustainable development. The entire Party, people, and army look toward the Congress with great faith and expectation for the sound decisions that will be adopted.