14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam begins in Hanoi

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Various Sources

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) officially opened on January 20, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi. The congress is the country's most significant political event, held every five years to determine the party's national leadership and strategic direction for the following term. It began with an appeal for unity, discipline, and determination to guide the nation into a new phase of rapid and sustainable development, maintaining a long-term strategic vision and a strong socialist orientation.

The congress began with a preparatory session on January 19 and is scheduled to conclude on January 25, 2026. A total of 1,586 delegates, representing over 5.6 million party members nationwide, are in attendance.

General Secretary To Lam delivered the opening report, outlining plans for a "new era" of national development. Lam is widely expected to retain his role as the party's top leader.

A primary focus of the congress is setting an ambitious annual GDP growth target of at least 10% through 2030.

The core agenda of the congress includes electing a new Central Committee of approximately 200 members, which will subsequently select the Politburo, reviewing "Doi Moi" (Renewal) policies from the past 40 years and formalizing documents on national defense, security, and administrative reforms.

In his address at the National Convention Center in this city, Luong Cuong, a member of the Political Bureau and President of the Republic, representing the Presidium of the Congress, stated that the meeting represents "a transcendent political event" and marks a historical milestone on the road to the Party's centenary in 2030.

In a highly symbolic moment, delegates honoured President Ho Chi Minh, the founding leader of the Party and a national hero of liberation, along with the generations of revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence, freedom, and unity.

By January 19, the congress had received a total of 559 congratulatory letters and messages from 109 political parties, six international and regional organizations, 16 individuals, 122 people's organizations, and 306 associations of overseas Vietnamese. For a greater list of these see: Congratulatory messages to 14th National Party Congress

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday also sent a congratulatory message that noted that since the 13th National Congress of the CPV, the Central Committee of the CPV has united and led the Vietnamese people in making remarkable achievements in advancing socialist construction and reform.