Vietnam’s Communist Party Congress opens in Hanoi as leaders weigh economic reform

The Communist Party of Vietnam opened what the Times called its most consequential party congress in decades in Hanoi, as the nation faces what the article described as its best and last chance to "get rich before getting old." After 40 years of reform and a rapid rise out of poverty, the party is under pressure to pursue bolder economic changes to catch up with neighbors such as South Korea and Taiwan.

The party has set ambitious targets: raising per capita GDP by about 70 percent to $8,500 by 2030 and building an industrial economy sufficient to be a high‑income developed country by 2045. Vietnam’s population of 102 million and a narrowing window for a large working‑age cohort were cited as reasons for urgency.

Leadership changes are expected to accompany policy debate. For decades the one‑party state has been run by four top posts in the Politburo; leaks and internal discussion suggest a mix of continuity and a sharper tilt toward rapid reform. According to several unnamed officials and diplomats, To Lam, 68, is the only nominee for both party chief and president, a move that would concentrate party and state authority.

The congress, which will bring together 1,586 delegates representing 5.6 million registered party members, will name around 200 officials to the Central Committee; that body selects the 17 to 19 Politburo members who choose the general secretary and other leaders.

Key Topics

World, Vietnam Communist Party, Hanoi, Party Congress, To Lam, Le Minh Hung