CPV Prepares for 14th National Congress, Outlines Development Priorities

Hanoi, Vietnam: Ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), scheduled to take place from January 20, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday hosted a press meeting for national and international journalists in Hanoi.

Addressing the media, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang welcomed the foreign media delegation and highlighted the significance of the 14 th Congress, said it is a historic Congress and it is going to make a new phase of development in Vietnam.

“This is an important Congress for us as Vietnam is entering a new era of advancement,” she said, noting that the Party and the State are focused on deepening reforms, modernising governance, and strengthening national development.

Administrative Reforms and Governance Transformation

Le Thi Thu Hang talked about Vietnam’s recent administrative reforms, including the restructuring of its local governance system. Traditionally, Vietnam operated under a three-tier local government structure comprising provincial, district, and commune levels, each with its own People’s Council and People’s Committee.

However, under ongoing reform efforts and pilot programs, Vietnam has begun implementing a two-tier government model in selected localities. Under this system, the district level is no longer considered a full government tier but functions as an administrative unit under provincial authority, while the commune level has been granted greater authority, budgetary control, and responsibilities.

She said that these reforms aims to streamline bureaucracy, improve efficiency and accountability, enhance decentralisation, and modernise public administration .

Foreign Policy Achievements Highlighted

During the meeting, the Deputy Foreign Minister also reviewed key achievements under the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the CPV, particularly in the field of foreign affairs.

She reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent pursuit of an independent, self-reliant foreign policy based on peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, along with diversified and multilateral international relations. These efforts, she noted, have helped maintain a peaceful and stable environment while creating new opportunities for national growth.

Le Thi Thu Hang also highlighted Vietnam’s resilience in the face of severe natural challenges over the past year. In the year 2025, the the country experienced 21 tropical systems, including 15 typhoons and six tropical depressions, making it the most climate hit year on record and surpassing the previous high of 20 storms in 2017.

Vietnam also experienced multiple episodes of widespread heavy rainfall, including several prolonged and intense events, one of which produced the highest daily rainfall ever recorded in the country. The extreme weather led to widespread flooding, with water levels on numerous rivers surpassing historical records. Despite these challenges, Vietnam maintained strong economic performance. In 2025, the country achieved GDP growth of 8.2%.

Le Thi Thu Hang further noted that Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy have been promoted in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, producing positive and tangible results. Vietnam’s relations with major powers, strategic partners, and traditional friends have continued to deepen, becoming increasingly stable and sustainable.

International Media Participation

The foreign media delegation attending the briefing includes journalists from Russia, Laos, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Cuba, and Mozambique. The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation for their interest in covering the 14th National Congress, emphasising the role of international media in helping the global community better understand Vietnam’s political orientation, development priorities, and foreign policy outlook.

The 14th National Congress is expected to outline Vietnam’s strategic direction for the coming years and set key policy priorities for the next phase of national development.