A milestone of a new era.

Today, January 20th, the 14th National Congress of the Party, the congress taking place after 40 years of reform, officially opens with renewed faith and expectations.

Party and State leaders pose for a commemorative photo with the delegation of the Government Party Committee attending the 14th National Congress of the Party - Photo: VNA

After 40 years of reform, the country's foundation, potential, position, and international prestige have been elevated to a new level. The 14th National Congress defined the thinking, vision, and strategic decisions to enable us to move forward strongly in the new era, successfully achieving the national development goals by 2030, when the Party celebrates its 100th anniversary (1930-2030); and realizing the development vision until 2045 - the 100th anniversary of the nation's founding (1945-2045).

In this special atmosphere, Tuoi Tre newspaper has recorded many messages sent to the congress.

* MR. PHAM THE DUYET (former Standing Committee Member of the Politburo , former Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front):

Put the people first, build trust with the people.

Looking back at the 13th term, it is clear that Vietnam has faced numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, floods, and the rapid and complex changes in the global and regional situation.

But under such circumstances, we have maintained stability and confidently developed under the leadership of the Party. Especially during this term, the Party and the State have also been very decisive in focusing on major areas such as institutional and policy reform, streamlining the apparatus, and resolutely fighting corruption, waste, and negative phenomena…

Alongside this, focusing on developing science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation are the right steps and important prerequisites for entering a new phase of national development.

The 14th National Congress of the Party holds immense significance not only for the more than 5.6 million Party members but also for the entire Vietnamese nation. The Congress will not only decide on major directions for national development over the next five years, but also extend its vision to 2030, 2045, and summarize 40 years of reform. Therefore, the first priority is for the Congress to wisely elect a new Central Committee that is right, worthy, and meets the people's trust, and for the documents to receive high levels of consensus.

Furthermore, the congress will clearly define the country's development direction and mindset in this new phase to keep pace with global development. In particular, thorough research and preparation in science and technology, digital transformation, and innovation are essential to suit the current stage of development.

Experience shows that to do things really well, the review process must highlight positive aspects while being frank, sincere, and not subjective about past shortcomings so that the next generation of officials can be aware of them and correct them. Furthermore, gaining the people's trust depends on implementing a sound political system that promotes democratic centralism and puts the people first.

The cadre must wholeheartedly serve the people, be of the people, and for the people. The people's lives will be improved, the socio-economic development will progress, elevating Vietnam's position and affirming its sovereignty and territorial integrity… I firmly believe that the 14th National Congress will be a great success, ushering the country into a new era of development.

General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Standing Committee member Tran Cam Tu voted to approve the working program of the 14th Party Congress at the preliminary session - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

* Mr. PHAM CHANH TRUC (former Deputy Head of the Central Economic Committee, former Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, former Chairman of the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City):

Clearly define your long-term vision to move forward.

In my opinion, there are three major factors that will shape the face of the world in the coming decades: climate change, resource depletion and environmental pollution; the rapid development of science and technology, especially artificial intelligence, with its far-reaching and unpredictable impacts; and the complex fluctuations of the global geopolitical situation…

These factors necessitate that the 14th National Congress clarify how Vietnam will develop in the new context, with both subjective and objective impacts intertwined. The 14th National Congress must address two major tasks.

First and foremost, we must persistently strive to achieve the strategic goals for 2045, aiming for Vietnam to become a modern industrialized nation with a per capita income of $15,000-$20,000. Failure to achieve this goal will cause the country to fall behind the region and the world.

At the same time, we must broaden our vision and clearly define the path of development beyond 2045. Without a long-term vision, we cannot go far.

To achieve rapid and sustainable growth, we must effectively exploit development potential, invest wisely in domestic industries, reorganize agricultural production on a large scale, apply science and technology, and create an ecosystem for science and technology and innovative businesses to thrive.

Ultimately, the key factor remains people and personnel management. The 14th Party Congress needs to continue to uphold the Party's leadership role, maintain the socialist orientation, and promote the spirit of unity and solidarity as President Ho Chi Minh once advised – that unity within the Party must be safeguarded as carefully as the pupil of one's eye. Only on this foundation of unity can the country develop strongly and the people truly enjoy the fruits of its labor.

* National Assembly Representative NGUYEN QUANG HUAN (Ho Chi Minh City):

New thinking will lead the country to development.

Previously, economic development and environmental protection were often emphasized, but now a key new perspective in the draft document for the 14th National Congress is the balance between the three pillars: economy, environment, and society.

This is the current global trend in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices. These three pillars are viewed equally; none is overlooked.

This is a new way of thinking, and only by implementing this can we maintain high and sustainable growth. Without sustainable development, growth will only be short-term, then lead to many negative consequences for the environment and society, and become a bottleneck.

Therefore, from 2026 onwards, and throughout the term, in order to achieve double-digit growth targets, social and environmental issues need to be identified from the beginning of the term and implemented decisively and in accordance with the Party's directives, avoiding mere formality.

* Dr. Mai Ngoc Xuan Dat (Researcher at the Institute of Advanced Materials, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City - Outstanding Young Citizen of Ho Chi Minh City in 2025):

Breakthroughs begin with retaining scientists.

The draft political report submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Party clearly identified the development of science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as one of the strategic breakthroughs for the new development phase.

This is a very important message, because in the context of increasingly fierce global competition, science and technology are no longer supporting fields but have become decisive factors in the competitiveness and resilience of each nation.

Over the years, Vietnam has made commendable efforts to attract Vietnamese intellectuals and scientists living abroad to return home to work.

However, I believe the bigger challenge now is not just attracting talent, but retaining as many as possible in the long term within the scientific community. Without strong and effective policies, brain drain will no longer be a risk, but a long-term reality.

Furthermore, the establishment of funds for the development of young scientists, and long-term funding programs for promising research topics and groups, are essential. International cooperation should also be considered an integral part of the scientific human resource development strategy.

I believe that, given trust, opportunities, and the right investment, the young generation of intellectuals can absolutely become the core force in realizing the breakthrough directions set forth by the 14th National Congress, contributing to making science and technology a truly driving force for the rapid and sustainable development of the country.

* Mr. NGUYEN DUY NGOC (Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee):

Ready and pioneering

We are deeply aware that after 40 years of reform, our country has accumulated sufficient strength and momentum to enter a new stage of development - an era of powerful growth.

As the heart of the nation, Hanoi must be the place where the spirit, vision, and requirements for reform established by the 14th National Congress of the Party are most clearly and promptly embodied.

The overall mindset of the entire political system and the people of the capital city can be summed up in two words: "readiness" and "pioneering".

We are fully prepared to participate in serving the organization of the congress safely, thoughtfully, and solemnly; and at the same time, to be pioneers in concretizing and implementing the congress's decisions into life as quickly and effectively as possible.

Delegates from Phu Tho province enter the hall for the preliminary session - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

* Delegate NGUYEN DUC LOI (former Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association):

From 40 years of reform to a new era of development.

Over 40 years of reform under the leadership of the Party, from a poor, backward economy plagued by crisis and shortages, Vietnam has risen to become a developing country with an increasingly large economy, continuously improving people's lives, and significantly enhanced international standing.

Innovation has not only helped the country escape poverty, but more importantly, it has opened up a new development mindset, unlocked social resources, and strengthened the people's confidence in the path forward.

It is on this foundation that the 14th National Congress of the Party takes on special significance. This is not simply a cyclical congress, but a milestone that opens a new era of development – ​​an era of national progress, as General Secretary To Lam emphasized.

This era places higher, more comprehensive demands on growth rate, development quality, and sustainability, in the context of a rapidly changing world, fierce competition, and ever-evolving science and technology.

The 14th National Congress also serves as direct preparation for the country to achieve two strategic goals: by 2030, the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, Vietnam will become a developing country with modern industry and a high-middle income; and by 2045, the 100th anniversary of the nation's founding, it will become a developed country with a high income. These are ambitious goals, but not unrealistic if we have the right mindset, sufficient determination, and decisive action.

The preparations for the 14th National Congress demonstrate seriousness, systematic approach, and innovation in leadership thinking. The two key tasks—document drafting and personnel matters—were implemented meticulously, rigorously, and in accordance with regulations.

In particular, the first-ever integration of the three reports into a single unified report is not merely a technical improvement, but reflects a high demand for unity in understanding and development orientation. The document thus becomes more coherent, logical, and accessible, while still comprehensively covering the major, core issues of the Party and the country.

The documents presented to the 14th National Congress are expressed in concise and clear language, aiming for "easy to read, easy to understand, easy to remember," in line with the spirit of modern journalism and the need for widespread dissemination in society. More importantly, these are action-oriented documents, not only answering the question "where to go," but also suggesting "how to get there" in the new stage of development.

Personnel work continues to be carried out seriously and scientifically, demonstrating the determination to build a team of central-level leaders who are truly exemplary in terms of political qualities, ethics, competence, and prestige. Personnel preparation aims not only to meet the requirements of a single term, but also to ensure continuity, stability, and long-term development, capable of steering the country through a new context full of challenges but also opportunities.

A key highlight in the draft documents is the high growth target for the 2026-2030 period, including the goal of achieving double-digit growth from 2026 onwards. This is a clear message about the aspiration for development and strong political determination. These targets are high, even very high, but necessary if Vietnam wants to escape the middle-income trap and achieve a breakthrough in its national standing.

However, rapid growth must be accompanied by sustainable growth. A prerequisite is a fundamental transformation of the growth model, shifting strongly towards reliance on productivity, science and technology, innovation, and the quality of human resources. We cannot continue to develop primarily based on capital, resources, and cheap labor as before.

Along with that, the need for institutional reform has become more urgent than ever. Institutions are not just a "management framework," but must be proactive, acting as a "midwife" for development and creating a national competitive advantage. Removing institutional "bottlenecks" will determine the ability to realize the major goals set forth by the 14th National Congress.

The 14th National Congress is expected to create new breakthroughs in the quality of growth, strongly promoting driving forces such as the digital economy, green economy, circular economy, digital transformation, and innovation. Looking further ahead, a clear roadmap is needed.

To enable Vietnam to rise to become a regional innovation hub based on knowledge, intellectual products, and the aspirations of the Vietnamese people...

TIEN LONG - THANH CHUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cot-moc-cua-ky-nguyen-moi-20260120075314874.htm