Success of 14th National Party Congress lays the groundwork for future development

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam concluded with notable success. The event highlighted a strong emphasis on unity, democracy, discipline, innovation and development. It reflected the shared resolve of the Party, the people and the armed forces to advance Vietnam’s long-term national strength and prosperity.

Officials and Party members in Tam Phuoc Ward follow live broadcasts of the 14th National Party Congress. Photo: Phuong Hang.

People are the roots,  core foundation for development

Following the preparations for and organization of the 14th National Party Congress, Colonel Nguyen Minh Duc, Vice Chairman of Tam Phuoc Ward Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee and Chairman of the Ward Veterans Association, said: “I am deeply impressed by one of the most important guiding principles of the 14th National Congress, namely that the people are the roots.” He added that Vietnam’s history of national building and defense has consistently demonstrated and reinforced this enduring principle, with “the people as the roots” forming the bedrock of the country’s development.

Rooted in the nation’s traditions, President Ho Chi Minh consistently emphasized throughout his revolutionary career the central role of the people, saying: “Nothing under heaven is more precious than the people. Nothing in the world is stronger than the united strength of the people.” He affirmed that the people are “the roots of the nation,” stressing that “when the roots are firm, the tree will endure,” and that “all victories must be built on the people.” As he put it, “with the people, everything is possible,” and “with the people, every task can be accomplished.”

Distilling the hard-won lessons of “the people as the roots,” the documents of the 14th National Party Congress set out, in the most profound, comprehensive and systematic manner, the principle of “the people as the roots.”

“The people as the roots,” as set out in the Political Report to the 14th National Party Congress, lays down concrete requirements closely aligned with real-life conditions across the entire political system, from the central level to the grassroots, with all actions directed toward the people and for the people. “The people as the roots” is the source of the Party’s strength in will and action. Beyond the interests of the nation and the people, the Party has no other purpose.

“The people as the roots” in the Political Report submitted to the 14th National Party Congress is defined not only as an ideological principle but also as a standard for action and a benchmark for evaluation. The people are not merely policy beneficiaries; they are the center, the subject, the goal, the driving force and a vital resource for development. All Party lines and guidelines, as well as state policies and laws, and every policy decision, word and action of officials and Party members must ultimately serve to improve the people’s material and spiritual well-being, safeguard their genuine right to mastery, and be grounded in respect for the people, attentiveness to their voices, reliance on their strength and confidence in them.

As the country enters a new phase of development requiring deeper and more far-reaching reforms, placing “the people as the roots” at the core represents a commitment to disciplined use of power, transparency and accountability throughout the Party and the political system, with full responsibility to the people. At any time and in any place, straying from the principle of “the people as the roots” can lead to mistakes and runs counter to the Party’s purpose, objectives and policy direction in the new context.

Trust and expectations

Pham Van Hoang, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Association of Literature and Arts, said the 14th National Party Congress took place as the country confronts an intricate interplay of opportunities and challenges, demanding strong political resolve and a long-term strategic outlook. He added that the congress underscored the Party’s leadership capacity, its consistency in pursuing strategic objectives, and its proactive sense of responsibility toward the future of the nation and its people.

The documents presented to the 14th National Party Congress highlight the Party’s ability to draw lessons from practice, take a clear-eyed assessment of current conditions, recognize achievements and candidly address shortcomings, laying out a development path suited to the requirements of a new stage. They reaffirm the commitment to socialism, independence and self-reliance, while underscoring the need to renew the growth model, pursue sustainable development and place people at the center of policy and practice.

Amid a turbulent global environment, the 14th National Congress highlighted the Party’s firm political resolve in safeguarding national interests, preserving political stability, reinforcing national defense and security, and actively engaging with the international community. Party building and rectification were reaffirmed as central priorities, aimed at strengthening the Party’s leadership capacity and overall effectiveness.

The significance of the 14th National Congress extends beyond its stated goals and targets, reflecting a shared sense of resolve and unity in purpose and action that has strengthened public confidence and laid the foundation for the country to move into a new phase of development with renewed determination and ambition.

Public trust in Party committees and authorities at all levels is not built on words or slogans. It is built on concrete actions. It rests on the fairness and integrity of officials, the effectiveness and efficiency of the system, equity in access to policies, and tangible results in safeguarding the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of the people.

Closely tracking the 14th National Party Congress, young Party member Phan Thanh Tu, who is active in the Party cell of Pou Sung Vietnam Co., Ltd. and serves as Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union branch in Hamlet 4, Trang Bom commune, said he has strong confidence in the country’s future following the congress. He noted that the congress elected 180 full members and 20 alternate members to the Party Central Committee, and expressed hope that leaders at both national and local levels would continue to uphold unity and demonstrate the resolve to think boldly, act decisively and take responsibility in serving the interests of the nation. He said public expectations go beyond headline GDP growth figures, with people looking for tangible change as the country enters a new phase of development. These include breakthroughs in infrastructure such as a fully connected North–South expressway and high-speed rail, technological advances that would place Vietnam on the global map for semiconductors, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, as well as higher living standards reflected in rising incomes alongside improvements in healthcare, education and environmental quality.

Tu expressed his hope that the 14th National Congress would not only set out policy decisions for the next five years but also prepare for the centenary of the nation’s founding. If in the past, the goal was to “overcome difficulties,” today the goal is to “rise to a higher level.” To achieve the development objectives set out by the 14th National Congress, people expect a genuine “streamlining” of the state apparatus, so that every citizen and every business feels that administrative procedures are no longer a burden, but a launchpad for development.

When “the Party’s will” is firmly intertwined with “the people’s will,” no obstacle can stand in the way of the nation’s advance.

By Phuong Hang – Translated by Tam Binh, Thu Ha