Party General Secretary To Lam chairs an international press conference following the 14th National Party Congress, Hanoi, January 23, 2026. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The Congress’s key words are unity, democracy, discipline, breakthrough, development, responsibility, dedication, intellect, science, a people-centered approach, strategic autonomy, self-reliance, confidence and national pride, for a peaceful, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, steadily advancing toward socialism, he said.

The Congress achieved a high level of consensus not only on its documents and agenda, but also on personnel matters, according to the Party leader. It elected a 200-member Party Central Committee comprising individuals with strong morality, credibility, capacity and qualifications to shoulder major responsibilities before the Party and the people in the new period. The General Secretary said that members of the 14th Party Central Committee are those who “dare to sacrifice themselves for the Party’s noble cause and for the well-being and prosperity of the people.”

He noted that the Congress inherited lessons from the history of national construction and defense, nearly 100 years under the Party’s leadership, and the ongoing renewal process initiated and led by the Party.

“Development requires new thinking and new approaches. The Party’s renewal cause must be continuous. The 14th National Party Congress, held in an important historical context, requires a new vision, not only for the current term but extending to 2045. At the end of the 14th Congress term in 2031, it will be necessary to review the Platform and study the development of a new one suitable to the new context,” he said.

General Secretary To Lam noted that the Congress’s documents place foreign affairs on par with national defense and security. 

“In the current context, all countries - large or small - share responsibility for global and cross-border challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, cybersecurity and wars. As no single country, no matter how powerful, can address these issues alone, international cooperation is essential,” Mr. Lam said.

More than 700 domestic and foreign reporters attend the press conference on the outcome of the 14th National Party Congress.

After 40 years of reform, Vietnam’s potential and capabilities have grown significantly, giving the country sufficient credibility and responsibility to contribute more actively, he stressed. “Vietnam will continue to work with multilateral institutions, promote international peace, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping, and contribute more as a mediator and bridge-builder for peace.”

The Party leader said Vietnam’s economy has a very high degree of openness, and its security is closely linked with regional and global security. Therefore, without international integration, development would not be possible.

“Vietnam has shifted from being a recipient to a contributor in international relations. We will build a new growth model with international integration at its core, alongside political, security and defense integration, to enhance national standing. Integration in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation will be top priorities, while international integration must overcome bottlenecks and place people at the center,” he said. 

The General Secretary emphasized that the Congress is action-oriented. On Friday, the Politburo issued its first directive on the implementation of the Congress’s resolutions, together with an action plan accompanying the Congress documents.