The 14th National Congress of the Party is an important political event, of decisive significance to the country's development future in the new era. In the context of rapid, profound and unpredictable changes in the world; the country is strongly implementing very important strategic decisions, the documents submitted to the 14th National Congress not only summarize the development journey of the past 5 years, determine the goals and tasks in the next 5 years but also shape strategic thinking, vision and development orientation of the country until the middle of the 21st century.
The Draft Documents submitted to the 14th Congress with a structure and content with many innovations have demonstrated the spirit of looking straight at the truth, objectively assessing the situation, on that basis setting out a system of guiding viewpoints, national development goals, orientations, key tasks and breakthrough solutions for rapid and sustainable national development, demonstrating the aspiration of the whole nation to rise strongly in the new era.
This report was developed to focus on highlighting new and important issues in the Draft Documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress. Thereby, helping cadres, party members and people study and understand the spirit of the Draft Documents correctly, effectively contributing to the discussion process, perfecting documents, while spreading the spirit of innovation, development aspiration and determination to build a rich, prosperous, civilized, happy country, firmly moving towards socialism.
I - NEW POINTS ON THEME AND STRUCTURE OF THE DRAFT DOCUMENT
1. On the theme of the Congress
The theme of the 14th National Party Congress is: Under the glorious flag of the Party, join hands and unanimously successfully implement the country's development goals by 2030; strategic autonomy, self-reliance, confidence, and strong progress in the era of national growth, for peace, independence, democracy, prosperity, civilization, happiness, and steadfastly moving towards socialism.
The determination of the theme of the above Congress demonstrates the unity of ideas and actions, strengthening confidence, affirming the bravery and intelligence of the Party and the strength of the entire nation, continuing to arouse the desire to build and develop a strong and prosperous country, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers in the new era. The determination of the theme of the Congress is based on a number of bases, the main requirements are as follows:
(1) The theme of the Congress must demonstrate the position and role of the 14th National Party Congress as a turning point, a particularly important milestone on the path of national development. The Congress takes place at a time when the entire Party, people and army are making efforts to successfully implement the goals, guidelines and tasks identified in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress; associated with summarizing 40 years of innovation. The Congress is responsible for reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Congress, evaluating the overall innovation process, deciding on the goals, directions, tasks for the next 5 and 10 years and vision to 2045. In the context of the world and regional situation developing very quickly, complicatedly, and unpredictably; the country is facing many advantages, opportunities intertwined with great difficulties and challenges, and many new issues that need to be resolved; cadres, party members and people have high expectations for the 14th National Congress with the Party's correct and strong decisions to move the country forward strongly in the new era.
(2) The theme of the Congress must be a message expressing the calling, encouragement, motivation, and orientation of the entire Party, people, and army to continue to comprehensively, synchronously, and extensively promote the cause of innovation, take advantage of every opportunity, and determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges, strategic autonomy, self-reliance, confidence, and strong progress in the new era - the era of the Vietnamese nation's rise; successfully implement the national development goal until 2030 when our Party celebrates 100 years of establishment (1930 - 2030); towards realizing the vision to 2045, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (1945 - 2045).
(3) The theme of the Congress must be concise, demonstrating general goals, core ideological contents, throughout, and clearly identifying the most important elements, including: Party leadership; the role of the People and the strength of the entire nation; on the continuation of innovation and the development goals of the country in the new era; inheriting and developing the theme in previous Congresses, especially the 13th National Party Congress.
2. Regarding the structure of the Political Report
Compared to recent Congresses, the new point of this Political Report is the integration of 3 documents, including: Political Report, Socio-Economic Report, Party Building Summary Report. This integration demonstrates the spirit of continuing to innovate in document development, starting from new national practices, the development of the Party's theoretical awareness and implementation organization, ensuring consistency in content; concise, concise, easy to understand, easy to remember, easy to implement.
Regarding the structure and presentation of the Political Report with inheritance and development, specifically:
- The 14th National Congress's political report reflects the structure and presentation of documents by issue as in recent congresses with 15 issues. The structure and names of the issues are arranged, adjusted, and supplemented in accordance with reality and development requirements, reflecting reality and clearly defining the goals and tasks of national development of the 14th National Party Congress term and vision to 2045, clearly expressing revolutionary, action-oriented, and highly feasible messages; comprehensive but clear focus and key points.
- New points in the overall and consistent content of the Report are to emphasize viewpoints, goals, orientations, development methods, new resources and development drivers, including: (1) Establishing a new growth model with science and technology, innovation, digital transformation as the main driving force; identifying this as the central content of the country's development model; developing the private economy as the most important driving force of the economy; developing high-quality human resources and effectively exploiting the advantages of extensive international integration. (2) Affirming the key role of Party building and rectification; the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity, fighting against individualism, group interests, and degradation of political ideology, ethics and lifestyle; strengthening power control; improving the Party's leadership, governance and fighting capacity; improving the capacity to govern national development and operate the apparatus in the political system, creating a foundation to maintain solidarity and unity throughout the Party, the entire people and the entire army, as well as ensuring consensus, synchronization and unity in planning and organizing the implementation of national development strategies.
- The most prominent new point is the way of designing the Draft Political Report of the 14th National Congress, in that for the first time developing an Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Central Committee, it is the component part of the Draft Report. The action program clearly states specific programs, projects and plans implemented within the 5-year term, assigns specific responsibilities to Party committees from the central to local levels, clearly states the progress, resources and necessary conditions for implementation, and forms the basis for all levels and sectors to implement according to assigned functions, tasks and powers. This policy aims to overcome the situation of having to wait for the concretization of the Congress Resolution after the National Congress (usually around the first half of the term); promote the handling, concretization and effective implementation of the 14th National Party Congress Resolution right before the Congress; proactively review, amend and immediately remove bottlenecks, overcome limitations, inadequacies and conflicts; closely follow the goals, guiding viewpoints, development orientations, key tasks and strategic breakthroughs to organize implementation immediately after the Congress.
II- SOME NEW AND IMPORTANT ISSUES OF THE DRAFT POLITICAL REPORT TO THE 14TH CONGRESS OF THE PARTY
1. The Draft Political Report of the 14th Congress marks a leap forward in development thinking when streamlining and updating viewpoints, goals, tasks, and breakthrough strategic decisions in the Politburo's resolutions issued from the end of 2024 to present, resolutions of a "leverage" nature for operation to be implemented immediately before and after the Congress
Based on the draft documents of the 14th Congress, the Politburo has directed the issuance of new resolutions that are important strategic decisions as a basis, driving force, and breakthrough for the country's rapid and sustainable development in the era of national growth and continue to be refined, updated, and developed in the Draft Political Report to:
(1) Institutionalize the Party's guiding policies and guidelines, perfect the legal system, build a legal foundation and institutional framework, and create a transparent corridor for all decisions. (2) Continue to be proactive and positive, promoting extensive international integration not only to enhance foreign relations but also to mobilize global resources, protect national interests and expand markets for innovation. (3) Activating a breakthrough strategy for developing science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation is the main driving force, forming new value chains associated with innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, energy transformation, restructuring and human resource quality, focusing on developing artificial intelligence. (4) Determining the private economy as the most important driving force of the economy, promoting startups and strongly developing private economic types, effectively exploiting capital, land and technology, creating a multi-dimensional momentum for dynamic, flexible and sustainable growth. (5) Continue to implement the national energy conversion policy towards balancing traditional and renewable energy sources; deploy a smart grid, ensuring energy security for development in the new context. (6) Focus on transforming the structure and quality of human resources with a focus on developing a modern national education system, opening up and integrating with priority and specific policies and guidelines to strongly innovate the national education system; linking and promoting research and training with the development of the domestic and international labor market to train high-quality human resources to quickly meet the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (7) Implementing policies and guidelines for public health care and improving people's lives and happiness, focusing on ensuring a solid grassroots health network, proactive preventive medicine and applying digital technology in health management, so that every citizen can enjoy high-quality healthcare services.
The logical connection from the institutional framework to economic, technological, governance and human development drivers has created a rapid and sustainable development ecosystem, not only clearly outlining a roadmap but also mobilizing the strength of the whole society, realizing the aspiration for national development until 2045.
2. The implementation results have been clearly evaluated, the lesson about the organization of implementation, overcoming the inherent weakness of many terms is that "organization of implementation is still a weak link"
The summary of the term of this Congress has clearly and comprehensively summarized the important and outstanding results achieved, especially the strategic breakthroughs at the end of the term. Most notably is the arrangement of the apparatus and the construction of a 2-level local government model - a historical and revolutionary decision, helping to streamline focal points, clarify responsibilities, expand development space, and enhance the effectiveness of governance and operation from the province to the grassroots.
The implementation process clearly shows the correct leadership and direction role of the Party, the drastic participation of the entire political system associated with regular urging, inspection and supervision of decisive significance, especially the need to clearly assign people, work, responsibilities, progress, results and have a regular monitoring mechanism. Thanks to that, the "formal achievement" mentality was pushed back, instead the spirit of strongly focusing on real results, both "running" and "lining up" on schedule and effectively.
The important lesson learned from the implementation organization is: The principle of "focusation, publicity, responsibility" must be thoroughly grasped right from the project development stage; at the same time, flexible and skillful combination of disciplinary action and innovation encouragement must be implemented. The continuous inspection and assessment mechanism has contributed to overcoming the inherent weakness of "organizing implementation is still a weak link".
These experiences not only strengthen the belief in the ability to strongly innovate the political system, but also lay a solid foundation for new developments in the coming term.
3. Supplementing "Theory on innovation guidelines" as a part of the Party's ideological foundation
The first guiding viewpoint in the Draft Political Report reads: "Decision and application, creative development of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's ideology, theory on innovation guidelines". With this viewpoint, for the first time our Party has identified "Theory on innovation guidelines" as the part that forms the Party's ideological foundation.
The addition of "Theory on the innovation guidelines" to the Party's ideological foundation is a historic development step, demonstrating the Party's maturity in theoretical thinking, the ability to summarize practice and the courage to self-innovate; showing that the Party does not teach, does not forge, but always knows how to inherit, supplement and develop creativity, link theory with practice, and enrich the treasure trove of theories and ideas of the Vietnamese revolution. The theory of the innovation guidelines is the application and creative development, concretization of the principles and general principles of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology in line with the 40-year practice of innovation in Vietnam, demonstrating the unity between theory and practice, between the goal of national independence and socialism, the breakthrough of the Party's basic theory on developing a socialist-oriented market economy and promoting extensive international integration. The theoretical guidelines for innovation are the overall viewpoints, visions, and orientations for national development and firmly protecting the Fatherland of Vietnam Socialist Republic; the People as the center, the subject; steadfast in the goal of national independence and socialism; Establishing a model of Vietnamese socialism with 3 foundational pillars: Socialist-oriented market economy; Vietnamese socialist rule of law state of the people, by the people and for the people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; socialist democracy; successfully building a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy socialist Vietnam. Accordingly, the theory of the innovation guidelines has become a component part of the ideological foundation, continuing to lead the country to develop in the new era of the nation.
The addition of " theory on the innovation line" to the Party's ideological foundation is also a testament to the vitality of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology in the new conditions, while affirming the Party's comprehensive and wise leadership role in steadfastly following the socialist path, while opening up the possibility of dynamic and creative development, in line with the country's reality and the trend of the times; is the beacon to continue to lead us to successfully implement aspirations, visions and strategic orientations, creating new development miracles in the era of national growth.
4. Adding "environmental protection" along with economic and social development is a "central" task
The second guiding viewpoint in the Draft Political Report reads: "Economic and social development and environmental protection are the center...", so the Central Committee agrees to add "environmental protection" along with economic and social development as the "central" task.
The addition of "environmental protection" along with economic and social development is a central task in the Draft of documents of the 14th Congress, marking a step in developing a deep and solid awareness of sustainable development based on 3 pillars: Economy, society and environment. This is no longer a formal affirmation but a strategic commitment, placing environmental ecology as a measure in each development policy.
In the 1991 Roadmap and the Resolutions of the 7th, 8th, ... 13th Congresses, environmental protection and sustainable development are mentioned only in principle, but priority resources are still focused on promoting economic development. The environment is often only considered a consequences that need to be overcome after promoting the economy, not identified as a central task in each step, in each development policy. The fundamental new point here is that environmental protection has been identified as a pillar to establish a new growth model. This means not exchanging short-term benefits to ensure long-term benefits for the country and future generations.
On the international level, Vietnam has committed to developing a green economy and committing to carbon neutrality by 2050, creating pressure and also a new opportunity for the country's rapid and sustainable development. The draft documents of the 14th Congress have shown that Vietnam not only implements agreements, but also attracts green capital, carbon credits and clean technology; through energy transition, developing a circular economy and promoting science and technology, innovation, digital transformation. Applying an environmental cost pricing mechanism, "eco-tax", carbon credits and a strict legal framework will create strong leverage for green investment businesses, while ensuring fair competition among economic sectors; affirming our pioneering role and responsibility towards the world community.
In terms of institutions, the State has been perfecting environmental laws, strengthening inspection and strictly handling violations. A strong decentralization mechanism helps local authorities proactively exploit sustainable resources, combining green financial mobilization through bonds, environmental protection funds and public-private partnerships. Green businesses are supported with taxes, preferential credit and technology transfer to reduce costs. Smart monitoring systems, big data and artificial intelligence will support risk forecasting and optimize resource use. The circular economy promotes recycling, reduces emissions and increases production value... The biggest challenge to overcome is to eliminate short-term development thinking, break psychological barriers, and create a premise for long-term action. Emphasize the role of digital transformation and circular economy in environmental protection, green human resource training, promoting cooperation between research institutes and enterprises, along with strong policy communication strategies to raise public awareness. Social consensus and strong political commitment will be the key to opening a breakthrough development direction for Vietnam in rapid and sustainable national development.
5. Adding "foreign relations, international integration" along with national defense and security is an "essential, regular" task
The second guiding viewpoint in the Draft Political Report"... Strengthening national defense and security and promoting foreign affairs and international integration is important and regular". The Central Government's first determination of "foreign relations and international integration" on par with national defense and security is an important task, regularly opening up a more comprehensive strategic framework for national defense, marking the innovation in the Party's strategic vision in the context of extensive integration and increasingly fierce geopolitical and economic competition globally.
From the 1991 Decree to the 13th Congress, foreign affairs have always been mentioned as one of the important tasks, but have not been identified as an important and regular task.
This draft clearly shows that foreign affairs are the task of the entire political system, not the unique task of the foreign affairs sector, in which diplomacy is the core. What is more important is the issue of combining national strength with the strength of the times; the issue of determining internal resources with external resources is important; the issue of partners and subjects.v.v. On the other hand, in the past term, foreign affairs were our very successful field in the context of a rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable world.
General Secretary To Lam emphasized: Although peace, cooperation and development are still the major trends, the world situation is changing very quickly and complicated, having a multi-dimensional impact on the security and development environment of our country. In that context, foreign affairs tasks are no longer temporary but must be continuous, monitoring and coordinating policies according to each new development.
Establishing foreign affairs and international integration is an important task, regularly allowing to enhance the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign affairs agencies and the provincial foreign affairs system. The "three pillars" mechanism of National Defense - Security - Foreign Affairs will promote inter-sectoral cooperation, increase specialized staff, build a team of diplomatic experts in economics, culture, technology, engineering... to proactively exploit opportunities, respond promptly and effectively to challenges.
This guiding viewpoint is the basis for creating diplomatic methods, such as: "economic foreign exchange", "cultural foreign exchange", "for foreign defense and security" "foreign technology transfer"... to attract international capital, technology, resources and increase national soft power. The diplomatic network will be digitized, taking advantage of big data to analyze, forecast, expand relations with multilateral organizations and economic blocks, while promoting the role of localities in promoting exports, attracting foreign investment, and promoting the national image.
In short, adding foreign affairs and international integration to the important task force, regularly not only changing thinking but also being a strategic lever, making foreign affairs and international integration a core tool of national security and sustainable development. This innovation affirms Vietnam's determination to be proactive, flexible and comprehensive in applying soft power, enhancing its position in the international arena.
6. On continuing to build and perfect a comprehensive and synchronous institution for rapid and sustainable national development
The policy of continuing to build and perfect the comprehensive and synchronous institutions for rapid and sustainable development of the country, in which "political institutions are the key, economic institutions are the focus, other institutions are very important", is the inheritance and development of thinking about institutional innovation that has been mentioned through a number of recent congresses. However, the important difference lies in three aspects: Overallness, priority of decentralization and transparency, rule of law, effective governance to create a foundation for building an institutional ecosystem with rapid and sustainable development of the country.
Development institutions are a collection of regulations, rules, processes, agencies, legal documents, enforcement mechanisms and interacting governance culture to create a favorable, smooth, safe and efficient operating environment. Unlike the disjointed view of each side, each document or each separate law, the concept of development institutions emphasizes connectivity, mutual dependence and the spillover effect between different institutional pillars.
Firstly, the comprehensiveness is reflected in the viewpoint of institutional improvement not only in amending disjointed laws but also in synchronously building the pillars: Politics, economics, law, administration, society, science - technology and institutions to ensure human rights. When considering the political system as the key, it is especially emphasized to improve the role, leadership capacity and innovate the methods of organization, operation, decision-making mechanisms, control power and ensure political stability of the Party, to facilitate the innovation of other institutions. This is not only a technical solution but also a renewal of the Party's leadership thinking towards modernity, transparency, adaptability, substance and high efficiency.
Second, viewing economic institutions as a focus reflects the deep awareness that growth quality, efficiency, added value and competitiveness of the economy depend directly on the operation of market mechanisms, mechanisms for mobilizing and allocating resources, business environment and sustainable macro policies. The focus does not mean that other institutions are taken lightly; on the contrary, it requires a close combination of economic institutions with institutions, legal mechanisms, resource management, and social security for rapid and sustainable development.
Third, the emphasis on "other institutions are very important" shows that institutional innovation in education, healthcare, science - technology, environmental protection... and governance in other fields all contribute to determining the strength, growth quality and competitiveness for long-term development. This approach is a breakthrough compared to the independent development mindset, because it forces to resolve bottlenecks and institutional bottlenecks from an interdisciplinary perspective, instead of local interventions that easily lead to unwanted consequences.
Fourth, the institutional innovation policy is closely linked to the requirement of drastic action: Standarizing processes, transparency of information, clearly assigning responsibilities and a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating results. This breakthrough also lies in promoting science and technology, innovation, digital transformation in governance, creating momentum for the development of both the public and private sectors.
Fifth, the above policy is the continuation and elevation of the breakthrough innovation line in the implementation method, greatly dependent on the capacity to institutionalize into legal documents, implementation organization, control mechanism and social consensus to successfully realize the goal of rapid and sustainable development of the country.
7. Establish a new growth model, restructure the economy, promote industrialization and modernization, take science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force to achieve the target of an average growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the period 2026 - 2030 of 10%/year or more
The draft of the 14th Congress Political Report has set a goal of "striving to achieve an average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for the period 2026 - 2030 of 10%/year or more". At the same time, it was also pointed out: "esecuting a new growth model, restructuring the economy, promoting industrialization and modernization, taking science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force".
Establishing a new growth model for the period 2026 - 2030 with a GDP target of an average of 10%/year is not only an aspiration but also a challenge to transform into a development opportunity. To realize the double-digit growth target, growth drivers: Land, resources, labor, exports, domestic markets, investment... and total productivity (TFP) must be mobilized synchronously under the framework of innovation, industrialization, modernization and digital transformation. A new point compared to previous stages is that on the current development foundation, especially at the end of the 13th Congress term, the country has enough room to expect double-digit growth in the next term.
To do so, it requires good performance of the following requirements:
First, the proportion of investment in GDP needs to exceed 40%. Previously, Vietnam maintained an investment rate of about 30 - 35% of GDP, mainly focusing on traditional drivers. The new model requires increasing the scale of effective investment, expanding green financial channels, technology bonds and innovative risk funds. However, the capital use coefficient (ICOR) must remain at about 4.5 - meaning it needs 4.5 VND of investment capital to create 1 additional GDP. To improve investment efficiency, it is necessary to tighten project selection, apply automation, digitalization of production processes and strict project management...
Second, labor growth is expected to contribute 0.7% per year due to the slow decline in the labor force. To achieve a double-digit GDP rate, labor productivity must increase by 8.5%/year. This is a leap forward compared to the current 5 - 6%. To realize this, it is necessary to train digital engineers, R&D experts and high-tech project managers; at the same time, build a mechanism to link training between institutes - schools - businesses to narrow the skill gap.
Third, the total factor productivity (TFP) must contribute over 5.6 percentage points to the growth structure. TFP reflects the efficiency of capital and labor use along with the impact of innovation. To improve TFP, Vietnam must build a creative startup ecosystem, encourage businesses to invest in R&D, strengthen global value chain linkages and intellectual property protection. Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of Things must become daily tools in corporate governance and development planning.
Fourth, restructuring the economy to focus on foundational industry, core industry, strategy, green industry, high-tech agriculture, quality services and digital economy. Each industry and project must meet low emission standards and smart governance right from the design step. The policy framework including R&D tax incentives, preferential credit, risk investment funds and administrative reform to shorten licensing time is the "catalyst" for the new growth model.
In short, the double-digit growth target for the period 2026 - 2030 will be feasible if there is strong enough investment, productive enough labor and high enough TFP, effectively exploiting domestic and foreign markets. Success depends on policy synchronization, institutional capacity and determination to innovate. When the new growth model operates smoothly, Vietnam will not only achieve double-digit growth rate but also create a sustainable foundation for the next development stage.
8. Properly resolve the relationship between the State - market - society, affirming the decisive role of the market in mobilizing and allocating development resources
The Draft Political Report of the 14th Congress emphasizes the shaping of the organic relationship between the State - market - society, while affirming the decisive role of the market in mobilizing and allocating resources for development. This is not only a theoretical requirement but also an urgent practical requirement in the process of perfecting a socialist-oriented market economy under the leadership of the Party. The effective coordination between the three entities of the State, the market and society will improve transparency, objectivity and risk control capability, contributing to optimizing the overall resource allocation results of the economy.
The market has the function of determining prices, mobilizing and allocating resources according to natural supply-demand signals. Thanks to the competition mechanism, information becomes more transparent, motivation for startups is strongly aroused; thereby, social resources focus on sectors and fields with high efficiency and efficiency. Affirming the decisive role of the market means ensuring the autonomy and self-responsibility of economic entities, while minimizing direct administrative intervention in the natural operating mechanism of prices, the market, benefits and risks.
The State plays a role in creating and regulating the system of institutions, mechanisms, policies, strategies, planning, and development plans in accordance with market principles and practices. Ensure that the work of law-making, promulgating regulations on healthy competition, controlling monopoly, protecting consumer rights and balancing benefits among social groups must be carried out regularly and synchronously. The State's proactiveness is not only demonstrated in issuing policies in the right direction but also in the stage of timely supervision, evaluation and amendment so that the legal framework always closely follows market developments and requires social development.
Society plays a supervisory, critical and advisory role through socio-political organizations, professional associations, intellectuals and the media. Through honestly reflecting the aspirations of the People, businesses and all classes of society, the State has a basis to adjust policies, establish development priorities and enhance transparency. The supervisory role of society not only ensures the fair and effective implementation of policies and plans but also promotes a sense of responsibility, creativity and cohesion between socio-economic entities.
After 40 years of renovation, comprehensive achievements in the fields of economy, culture and society have affirmed the correctness of the renovation policy. The socialist-oriented market-economic institution under the management of the State has been formed, operated and perfected through each stage of development. The addition of the viewpoint of "correctly resolving the relationship between the State - market - society" in the Draft of 14th Congress Documents marks a new step, opening an era of economic governance based on a transparent and effective market foundation, closely linked with social responsibility and sustainable development orientation.
9. The private economy is the most important driving force of the economy
The Draft Political Report of the 14th National Congress affirms: Fully promote the functions and roles of economic regions. Effective state economic development, truly maintaining the leading role in ensuring major balances, strategic orientations, leadership and strategic orientations; developing the private economy as the most important driving force of the economy; cooperative economy, collective economy, foreign-invested economy and other types of economy play an important role.
Thus, the Draft Document of the 14th Party Congress affirms that private economic development is the most important driving force of the economy, a very important new point. At the same time, the Draft emphasizes the importance of fully promoting the functions and roles of each economic sector, in order to create a comprehensive and sustainable development picture for the socialist-oriented market economy in Vietnam. The assignment, coordination and complementarity between the state economy, private economy, cooperative economy, collective economy, foreign-invested economy and other types of economy must be organized closely, scientifically and flexibly to maximize the potential and strengths of each economic sector.
In our country, the guiding policies on the position and role of the private economy have had major changes. (1) The 6th Congress " takes the multi-component economic structure as a characteristic of the transitional period". (2) At the 12th National Party Congress, our Party assessed the private economy as one of the important driving forces of the economy. (3) The 5th Central Conference of the 12th tenure issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, dated June 3, 2017, affirming that the private economy has become an important driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy. (4) On May 4, 2025, Resolution No. 68 of the Politburo on private economic development affirmed: "... the private economy is the most important driving force of the national economy...".
Setting the private economy as the most important driving force of the economy is a strategic approach in the context of deep integration and increasingly fierce global competition. The rapid development of private enterprises has proven their ability to adapt quickly, be strong and creative and flexible to market fluctuations, becoming a place that mainly attracts social labor, a diverse source of goods, services and technological solutions.
Although there are still some limitations and shortcomings, the private economy is capable of mobilizing diverse resources from domestic and international sources, especially when the State completes the credit mechanism, tax policies, and land, creating equal conditions for all businesses. autonomy in capital allocation, human resources and technology helps private enterprises speed up investment, expand scale and improve efficiency. Thereby, this region contributes greatly to GDP growth rate, while creating a healthy competitive environment, encouraging innovation. The private economy is capable of effectively using resources, contributing greatly to growth and job creation, promoting creativity and improving social welfare. This is consistent with the theory of Marxism-Leninism when considering the market economy as a product of human civilization and the private economy in socialism as a component of the economy.
At the same time, to make the private economy the most important driving force of the state economy, it is necessary to continue to improve legal mechanisms, minimize administrative barriers and protect property rights, ownership rights, freedom of business and market competition, intellectual property rights, while developing a system of diverse and flexible market types. The strong development of the private economic sector not only brings economic benefits, but is also a pillar to build a socialist-oriented market economy, enhancing Vietnam's proactive role in the world political landscape, international economy and global civilization.
10. Culture and people are the foundation, resources, endogenous strength and a great driving force, a system that regulates sustainable social development
This is a very basic luan in the Draft documents of the 14th Congress, vividly demonstrating the Party's new awareness of the role of culture and people in building and developing the country and protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.
The basis for determining culture and people as the foundation, resources, endogenous strength, great driving force, and the system regulating sustainable social development includes:
First, the position and role of culture in shaping thinking, behavior and core values of human development. Culture crystallizes the strength of the nation, is a value system, social standards, is a place to preserve knowledge, experience and traditional values through many generations. These values shape the way people think, act, interact and solve problems. Culture is an endogenous resource of development, a driving force for development from within. Cultural characteristics such as the spirit of studiousness, diligence, overcoming difficulties, creativity, and innovation will directly contribute to economic and social development.
Second, contemporary historical practice has clearly demonstrated the fundamental role of culture in the development of countries. Culture becomes a strong spiritual resource, helping the community overcome all difficulties and challenges, building community and social solidarity. Culture is the driving force, the direct resource for economic growth, a soft power that plays the role of opening up the possibility of exchange, connection, promoting economic development and international integration. Culture is the system that regulates social relationships. Culture of sustainable development orientation. Culture is the soft power of the nation.
Third, the practice of 40 years of renovation has demonstrated the promoting cultural and human resources in economic, social, environmental, defense, security, foreign affairs development, etc., especially during the 13th Congress term.
Fourth, from the summary of practice and theory over 40 years of renovation, it shows that culture arouses patriotism, self-reliance, self-reliance and the desire to rise up of the Vietnamese people. Preserving and promoting national cultural identity is extremely important to affirm identity, prevent cultural encroachment, and at the same time create difference and competitive advantages for the country.
11. Building a modern national education system, on par with the region and the world
The draft of the 14th Congress Political Report proposes the policy of building a modern national education at the regional and world level as a new and urgent requirement for national development, improving competitiveness, developing high-quality human resources, promoting innovation, ensuring rapid and sustainable development of the country. The foundation for building a modern national education system, on par with the region and the world, includes:
Firstly, the country's development requirements in the new era (establishing a new growth model, improving growth quality, promoting industrialization, modernization, international integration, the requirement for rapid and sustainable national development), requires a new human resource - high-quality human resources. An open, modern, integrated education will be a launching pad to train generations of citizens with knowledge, skills and qualities to meet the new development requirements of the country and protect the Fatherland.
Second, from the current state of Vietnam's education system, it is urgent to immediately overcome the weaknesses, backwardness, and inadequacies of our country's education system, an education that is not based on output standards, lacks openness, and is unlikely to keep up with the general trend of the world.
Third, it stems from the need to promote international integration and globalization; the rapid development of science - technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; the trend of innovation, reform, and development of education in the world, the process of cooperation - integration - international competition in education. A modern education will create a competitive advantage for Vietnam. Advanced learning programs and innovative teaching methods will help Vietnamese students be able to work in an international environment, attract investment and external resources, and promote cooperation in science and technology.
Fourth, inheriting the revolutionary and scientific arguments of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's ideology on education; modern theories on sustainable development; theories on knowledge economy and learning society; theories on innovation and capacity development; sharing international experience in educational development and accordingly, a modern educational system on par with the region and the world will provide high-quality human resources, promote the development of high-tech industries, improve labor productivity, create added value and competitiveness for the economy.
Fifth, the elite of countries with modern education often focuses on factors, such as: Fairness, creativity and comprehensive development. For example, Finland is famous for its educational system that is not pressured to take exams, focusing on equality and personal development. Japan promotes ethics, independence and discipline, helping students form personality. Countries such as the United States, the UK, Germany, and Canada have advanced education with strong investment in research, technology, and modern teaching methods. These countries often have flexible study programs, encouraging critical thinking and creativity.
12. Breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation development
Breakthrough in the development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation is a new and important policy in the Draft Political Report of the 14th National Party Congress, aiming to make the most of unlimited development drivers. Determining this priority comes from a strategic vision to meet the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, when digital technology and innovation become decisive factors for the speed and quality of socio-economic development of countries. The Party affirmed that only a strong breakthrough in these areas can help Vietnam break out of the traditional growth limit.
Modern development theories such as innovation-based economic growth theories, information society theories and knowledge economy all point to the core role of science and technology and digital transformation in activating new value chains. Growth based on innovation, knowledge and technology will create endless productive resources when quickly spreading in the economy. Meanwhile, the concept of information society and knowledge economy emphasizes data, information and digital analysis capabilities to improve productivity and resource efficiency. The digital economy model combines digital infrastructure, data platforms and the startup ecosystem to create strong development for innovation.
Vietnam is a country behind but is seizing the opportunity to join the ranks of developed digital economies. The 12th Politburo issued Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW with the title "Some policies and strategies to proactively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution". Clearly define the task of building digital infrastructure, developing high-quality human resources, and perfecting the legal framework for Industry 4.0. Emphasize the role of data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart manufacturing and connecting global value chains. Require close linkages between businesses, research institutes, universities and management agencies to promote the application of new technologies, improve productivity and product quality. Propose a preferential mechanism for R&D investment, intellectual property protection and network safety and security. The 13th Politburo issued Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on "Breakthrough in developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation". Emphasizing science, technology and innovation is a unlimited driving force for growth. The Government is reviewing and raising public investment in R&D, prioritizing core technologies such as AI, Big Data, IoT, and mobile biology. Build an ecosystem that strongly connects creative startups, develop high-tech enterprises, adventure investment funds and innovation centers. Complete the institution of intellectual property protection, data sharing mechanism, mechanism for evaluating and accepting scientific and technological products. Propose a roadmap for digital transformation of all key state agencies, enterprises and society from 2025 - 2030, towards digital government, digital economy and digital society.
The Government, all levels and sectors from the central to grassroots levels have been vigorously implementing the National Digital Transformation Project, promoting innovation and investing in building technology infrastructure, aiming to turn Vietnam into a digital country by 2030. Focus on innovating investment mechanisms for research and development, prioritizing resources for advanced technology fields, such as: Artificial Intelligence, big data, Internet of Things and biotechnology. Promote the formation of creative centers, improve the connectivity between businesses, research institutes and training institutions, and at the same time perfect the legal framework for intellectual property protection. The mechanism to encourage public-private cooperation, international linkages and diversify investment capital helps create a dynamic environment for research and technology transfer activities. Ensuring network safety and security is considered a foundational factor for successful digital transformation and protecting national interests in the digital space.
The results of breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are reflected in increasing labor productivity, reducing production costs and shortening product placement time. Vietnam can increase its GDP index by 1 - 1.5 percentage points per year thanks to the effective application of science and technology and digital transformation. At the same time, the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in the international arena is enhanced through improving product and service quality and autonomy in the supply chain. New products and services shaped by high technology and digital solutions not only meet domestic demand but also create attraction in the global market. pipeline participation in the international production chain helps Vietnamese enterprises learn technology, improve governance standards and expand partner networks. Since then, Vietnam's position has been enhanced, becoming an important link in the global production and value network.
13. Promote the breakthrough in developing the defense industry, self-reliance, self-reliance, self-reliance, dual use, and modern security to firmly protect the Fatherland against all situations, especially high-tech war
For the first time, the Draft Political Report of the 14th National Congress affirmed that it is necessary to "break through development" instead of just "developing" or "building" as in previous Party resolutions on developing the defense and security industry. This shows a very high political determination, aiming to create a leap forward in the development of the defense and security industry.
Along with continuing to affirm the "double-use, modernity", the Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th Congress added the elements of "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-reliance" in developing the defense and security industry.
Although the policy of "self-reliance and self-strengthening" in the development of the defense and security industry has appeared in documents and Resolutions of the Party in the renovation period, the XIII Congress Document has only stopped at developing the defense and security industry in the direction of "dual-use, modernity"; then, the Law on the Defense, Security and Industrial Mobilization Industry (June 2024) determined "Self-reliance, self-reliance, dual-use, modernity, proactive integration into the international community, in which internal force is the decisive factor".
Therefore, the full addition of these 5 elements of "self-reliance, self-reliance, self-reliance, dual-use, modernity" aims to: (1) Promoting internal strength, self-reliance, towards strategic autonomy throughout the process from research to production and development. (2) Maximize the twice-use of the product, reduce costs and increase the value of the use. (3) Continuously innovate, apply high technology, new technology, ensure increasingly high product quality, meet the requirements of firmly defending the Fatherland against all situations, especially high-tech war.
14. Foreign development in the new era, commensurate with the historical, cultural and position of the country
The draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Party Congress sets out the requirement to "develop foreign affairs in the new era, commensurate with the historical scale, culture and position of the country" not only as a continuation of previous viewpoints and policies, but also a new step of development in foreign affairs thinking, goals and approaches.
The new thinking identifies foreign affairs as not only " proactive and active" as previous Congresses, but also emphasizes the need for development " commensurate with the historical, cultural and national status": (1) Foreign affairs are not only a tool to protect the regime or seek economic cooperation, but also a way to express the courage, identity and stature of Vietnam in the international arena. (2) Emphasize cultural and historical factors associated with spreading "soft power", the values of Vietnamese civilization, creating respect, trust and influence in the international community. (3) This vision is broader than the pure approach not only for " peace, cooperation, development" as before.
Setting a higher target because Vietnam's current position is different. Foreign affairs in the new era must: (1) Create a favorable situation and environment for the country to enter an era of growth. (2) Play a role in creating, motivating, opening up new opportunities for the country's development. (3) Enhance the country's position and prestige in world politics, the global economy and human civilization. With new position and strength, Vietnam proactively participates in actively contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.
Closely link foreign affairs with national development. For the first time, it was clearly stated that foreign affairs requirements must be commensurate with the country's development stature, meaning that foreign affairs not only provide economic support but also pioneer in the fields of technology, knowledge, and culture. Proactively build a comprehensive and modern diplomacy with 3 pillars (Foreign Affairs of the Party, State diplomacy, People's diplomacy), operating as a unified and synchronous "foreign ecosystem". Closely connect political diplomacy, economy, culture, national defense, security, science, technology, digital transformation.
Compared to the Congress Documents of the renovation period, the Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th Congress requires higher requirements for foreign affairs: Not only "increasing" but also "commensurate with stature"; "not only integrating deeply" but also "promoting the strength of Vietnamese culture, history and values" to increase international influence; not only being foreign affairs "for Vietnam" but also "contributing to the common peace and development of humanity".
15. On streamlining the organization of the political system; promoting decentralization and delegation of power, ensuring unified management by the Central Government, promoting the proactive role of localities
Conducting a revolution of streamlining the apparatus of the political system, while promoting decentralization and delegation of power while still ensuring unified management by the Central Government and promoting the proactive role of localities is a new thinking, vision and a strategic breakthrough to build a streamlined, strong, efficient, effective and efficient apparatus of the political system; creating momentum for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development. This is not only an urgent requirement for continuing to innovate, but also a testament to the development vision and wise leadership, the ability to organize and implement synchronously and resolutely the guidelines, policies and policies of the Party and State in the new period:
First, streamlining the organizational apparatus of the political system is a solution to rearrange the system of agencies and organizations in the political system from the Central to the grassroots level. thoroughly rearranging focal points, reducing intermediate levels, reducing the number of departments and branches, and merging units with close functions to eliminate overlap and duplication, saving resources, and improving the quality of civil servants and public employees. The model of a compact apparatus, shortening processes, reducing administrative procedures, creating a more dynamic, disciplined and responsible working environment.
Second, promoting decentralization and delegation of power is a key factor to promote the potential and advantages of each region. Giving more decision-making power to local authorities in the fields of planning, infrastructure investment, resource management and social security helps speed up the settlement of work, in accordance with new practical conditions. At the same time, the grassroots government will be more proactive in organizing implementation, creating working methods, promptly adjusting to suit the characteristics of the area, thereby arousing the aspiration and will to be self-reliant and self-reliant of the grassroots and the community.
Third, implement decentralization and delegation of authority but always ensure unified management by the Central Government. This requires the development of a system of regulations, standards, and assessment criteria that are clear, transparent, and synchronous. The Central Government plays a role in strategic orientation, promulgating laws and control mechanisms; localities are responsible for organizing implementation and reporting the results. The mechanism for monitoring and evaluating operational efficiency is designed systematically, with the participation of many stakeholders, including the Fatherland Front and social organizations, to enhance publicity and accountability.
Fourth, the revolution of streamlining the organizational apparatus, along with decentralization and delegation of power, has been creating a strong push to restructure institutions, perfect the socialist-oriented market economy institution, build an honest and responsible rule-of-law state, create and serve. Local government is not only an "executor" but also a "creative subject" in policy making and implementation.
Fifth, implementing the three pillars synchronously: Streamlining the apparatus; decentralization, delegation of power and unified management will help the State comprehensively innovate, improve management capacity, and strengthen the people's trust. Recent results have confirmed the initial effectiveness of the revolution of streamlining the apparatus, decentralization, and delegation of power in the 2-level local government model. The enhancement of operational capacity at the grassroots level and the compact organizational model have freeed up resources, expanded development space, improved work processing speed and service quality for people and businesses. This revolution urges each Party Committee, government and all cadres and civil servants to continue to self-assess, self-revise, and self-improvement to meet the requirements in the new era of development.
16. Focus on building a team of cadres at all levels, focusing on the strategic and grassroots levels, especially the leader
President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that "Cadres are the root of all work", "every success or failure is due to good or bad cadres". Therefore, cadre work is the "key of the key", placed in the center in Party building. The new point in this document is the synchronization in building a team of cadres at both strategic and grassroots levels, instead of focusing only on each level as before.
At the strategic level, planning, training, fostering and using strategic-level cadres has been elevated to a key task. This is an elite group with a strategic vision, participating in policy making, strategic advice for the Party and State, so it requires thinking, vision, courage, grasping the practical situation at home and abroad and the ability to identify global trends and make accurate forecasts. Concentrating resources on strategic-level cadres helps ensure stability and consistency in planning cadre work strategies in particular, vision and development strategy of the country in general.
The policy of placing grassroots cadres at the center of cadre work is a breakthrough in cadre thinking. Because grassroots cadres are the closest link to the people, directly organizing policy implementation, promptly reflecting the thoughts and aspirations of the people. Strengthening the quality of cadres right from the grassroots level helps improve the quality of the operation of the grassroots political system, where all policies and guidelines of the Party and the laws of the State are implemented; at the same time, helping to discover and spread good experiences, while limiting negativity and inadequacies right from the grassroots level.
In particular, the new policy pays the highest attention to leaders at all levels. The role of the leader and operator is emphasized not only in terms of professional capacity but also in terms of revolutionary ethics, leadership style and personal responsibility. The exemplary leadership will motivate the whole collective, thereby raising social awareness, discipline, promoting administrative reform and effectively serving the people.
The monitoring and evaluation mechanism is required to be regulated more strictly. The appointment and evaluation process is fair and transparent, closely linking achievements with rewards and violations with sanctions. At the same time, focus on rotating the level, rotating up and rotating back to the grassroots according to the principle of "in, out", "up and down" so that cadres have practical experience, practice their mettle and improve their professional capacity.
Thus, this policy is a strategic vision to build a team of cadres with revolutionary qualities, high professional qualifications, responsibility, and enthusiasm to serve the people. The harmonious combination of training, planning, assessment and supervision; especially focusing on leaders, will create a breakthrough in the quality of leadership and management in the political system to meet the requirements of rapid and sustainable development in the new era.
17. Policy on building a civilized Party
The draft Political Report of the 14th National Congress identifies: "Strengthening construction, rectification, and self-innovation so that our Party is truly ethical and civilized". This is a new content, for the first time the policy of building a civilized Party is identified as a strategic task, systematic and concretized in the Party Congress Document.
First, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Our Party is ethics, is civilization". According to him, the Party must represent the intelligence, conscience and honor of the nation to be worthy of being a leader. Building a civilized Party is a step to continue to deeply realize Ho Chi Minh's ideology on building a Party, making our Party truly "more ethical, civilized".
Second, building a civilized Party is the inheritance and promotion of the good cultural values of the nation, creating a strong connection between the Party and the People and the nation.
Third, building a civilized Party contributes to enhancing the prestige and leadership capacity of the Party, helping to strengthen the people's trust in the Party. In the context of international integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Party must innovate thinking and leadership methods to suit the rapid changes of the times. The civilized Party will help the country develop to keep up with the world.
Fourth, from the theory of Party building, the two elements of " ethics" and "civilization" of the Party are not separated but are organically attached and complement each other.
Fifth, practical experience shows that a communist party can only successfully lead the revolution when it is a civilized, clean, strong, transparent, democratic, pioneering party; has a scientific and modern mindset; has an effective and democratic leadership method; has the ability to innovate and adapt to changes of the times, and is trusted and supported by the people.
Sixth, overcoming current shortcomings in Party building work, besides achievements, there are still limitations and weaknesses in the Party, which are not suitable for a civilized party.
18. Strengthening and effectively promoting the strength of the People and the great national unity bloc
Based on the summary of 40 years of innovation, the Draft Political Report submitted to the 14th Congress has drawn lessons from the experience of "Strengthening the consolidation and effective promotion of the strength of the People and the great national unity bloc". This is a valuable lesson of theoretical experience, with practical orientation value for the country's revolutionary cause in the new era of development.
Ms. to strengthen and effectively promote the strength of the People and the great national unity bloc:
First, the revolution is the cause of the masses. The strength of the people and the great national unity bloc is the decisive factor in the success or failure of the revolutionary cause. Consolidating and promoting this strength is the key for Vietnam to firmly step on the path of building, developing the country and defending the Fatherland.
Second, patriotism, the tradition of solidarity and respect for the people of our nation are the inheritance of the idea of "people are the root". The people are the creator of history. Ho Chi Minh's ideology about the People is the subject of the revolution, a great power, with endless creativity: "In the sky, nothing is as precious as the People. nothing in the world is stronger than the people's solidarity force"; "with a popular force, no matter how big or difficult it is, it can be done. If not, then nothing can be done. The people know how to solve many problems in a simple, quick, and complete way, but talented people, large organizations, do not think for a long time".
Third, inherit and promote lessons learned in the history of national construction and defense; in the Party's revolutionary leadership and the experiences of revolutions in the world. Our Party has gathered, gathered, and promoted the great strength of the people in terms of strength, wealth, material and spiritual things, to victoriously carry out the August Revolution in 1945, Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954 and the Great Spring Victory in 1975, completely liberating the South and unifying the country.
Fourth, the great achievements of the country in the renovation period. Our Party has promoted the strength of the People, taking the goal of "rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness, civilization" as the goal of action; ensuring social justice and equality, caring for the practical, legitimate and legal interests of all classes and classes of people; harmoniously combining personal interests, collective interests and the benefits of the whole society, ... with the consistent motto: "People know, people discuss, people do, people inspect, people supervise, people benefit".
Fifth, it comes from the development requirements in the new era. The great national unity bloc is a solid foundation for building a national defense posture and people's security associated with building a solid people's heart posture. Promoting the People's Power helps mobilize all great resources, both materially and spiritually of the People. The creativity, self-reliance and self-reliance of each citizen are key factors to promote the cause of building and developing the country and firmly protecting the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam.
