On​ February 3, in Ha Noi, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations held a meeting  to inform diplomatic missions and international organisations in Vietnam about the outcomes of the 13th National Party Congress: 
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      I.  Working Agenda of the 13th National Congress and its delegates

     The 13^th National Party Congress was convened from January 25 to February 01, 2021 in Hanoi. 1,587 delegates representing 5.1 million Party members were organized into 67 delegations. After 8  active and serious working days under the theme "Solidarity - Democracy - Disciplines - Innovation - Development" and with high sense of responsibilities before the Party, people and country, the 13th National Party Congress was crown with great success, fulfilling all the set agenda items. 

     The preparatory session was held for one day (January 25) to adopt the Working Agenda and Procedures, Election Procedures, elect the Presidium, Secretariat and Vetting Commission, and endorse the Report on Vetting criteria for eligible delegates.

      The Congress took place from January 26 to February 1 to discuss and adopt the Congress' documents, discuss personnel work and elect the Central Committee for the next tenure.

      II. Main contents of the Congress' Documents:

      The 13^th National Party  Congress discussed in an active, frank and democratic manner and adopted 05 key documents with high consensus, namely: (i). The Party Congress Political Report. (It  is the Party Congress' keynote document); (ii). The Wrap-up Report  of the Ten-year Socio-economic Development Strategy  (2011-2020) and development of the next Ten-year Socio-economic Development Strategy  (2021-2030); (iii). The Assessment Report of the five-year Socio-economic Development Plan (2016-2020), orientations and mandates for the next five-year Socio-economic Development Plan  (2021-2025); (iv). The Wrap-up Report of Party-building work and  implementation of  the 12^th Party Congress' Statute; (v). The Review Report on the leadership and directions of the 12^th National Party Congress' Central Committee (submitted to the 13^th National Party Congress).

      During the group discussions among the delegations, 788 comments were contributed to the draft documents in an active, democratic and frank manner with high political responsibilities. During the broad discussions at the Meeting Hall, 36 interventions were made by delegates on various topics, with in-depth analysis and assessments, to refine the draft documents.

     The documents adopted at the 13th National Party Congress were prepared thoroughly and professionally, and underwent various drafting rounds, crystallizing the collective wisdom, will and desire of the entire Party, people and army. The documents compiled both theoretical and practical issues, and mapped out major visions, policy lines and solutions to continue advancing Viet Nam with more rapid growth and sustainable development in the time to come. All the documents will be translated into 7 foreign languages and circulated to you for your reference. In our briefing today, I would like to recap the main contents of the adopted documents as follows:

      1. The Congress reached high consensus on the theme of the 13th National Party Congress. It is also the theme of the Political Report, which is to 'step up building and rectification work to uphold a clean and strong Party and political system; ignite ambitions for nation building; bring into full play the will and power of the great national unity in combination with that of times; continue to comprehensively and synchronously promote the reform; construct and steadfastly defend the Fatherland, firmly secure a peaceful and stable environment; and strive to transform Viet Nam into socialist-oriented developed country by mid-21st century.' 

      The theme of the Congress is a crucial component of the Political Report, crystallizing major thoughts and views of all the documents, sending a strong political message and a call for actions to the entire Party and people. Thus, it was thoroughly discussed and agreed upon with high consensus. 

       2. Review of implementation of the 12^th National Party Congress' Resolution and the 35 years of Doi Moi

       During the past five years, by seizing the moments and opportunities and overcoming challenges, particularly the continuous episodes of pandemic and natural disasters, the entire Party, people and the army of Viet Nam has brought into full play the spirit of patriotism, solidarity, determination, resilience and innovation, and recorded critical, holistic and impressive successes. Potential, size and competitiveness of the economy grew strong. Socio-political stability was maintained, and the people's well-being continued to improve. Independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity were firmly safeguarded. Peaceful and stable environment were sustained for national development. We, as an active and responsible member of the international community, has also contributed to the regional and international peace, cooperation and development. The building and rectification of the Party and the political system was given special attention and conducted in a holistic, synchronous and effective manner in all areas of politics, thoughts, morals, organization and cadre work. Particularly, in 2020, we fulfilled the "dual task" of controlling Covid-19 pandemic and sustaining economic growth, keeping the people safe and ensuring their well-being. While the global economy contracted  by 4 percent, Viet Nam still enjoyed a positive GDP growth of 2.91 percent.

       After 35 years of Doi Moi and 30 years of implementation of the Platform for nation-building in the transitional period to socialism, our theories on Doi Moi, socialism and the path toward socialism were significantly consolidated and realized. The country has made historic and tremendous strides, and grew more vibrantly and comprehensively than the pre-Doi Moi period. Size and level of development of the economy significantly expanded and elevated (Our GDP was US$ 6.3 billion in 1989 and estimated at US$ 343 billion in 2020). The people's well-being remarkably improved as GDP per capita grew to US$ 3,521 in 2020 from US$ 159 in 1985.

      Building on those critical outcomes, the Party Congress reached a high consensus on General Secretary, State President's saying that "never has Viet Nam enjoyed such fortune, potential, status and prestige as of today". These successes came from a journey of unceasing efforts, throughout successive Party Congresses, by the entire Party and people. They stand a testament to our right path toward socialism and its compatibility with the objective laws and reality of Viet Nam.

      3. Development Vision and Orientations

     Highlights of the outcome documents include the strategic vision and the aspiration for development in the new era. We have outlined the development vision not only until 2025 but beyond until 2030 and 2045. This is an important new feature of the 13^th National Party Congress.

      3.1. The National Party Congress identified the following fundamental guidance:

    First, to stay consistent to Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh thoughts and be flexible, innovative in their applications and development. To stay firm on national independence and socialism goals. To stay firm on the Party's directions on reform. To stay consistent to the principles of Party building and to maximise the national interests in line with the fundamental princples of international law, and on the basis of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation.

      Second, the overarching national development strategy is to step up Doi Moi in a holistic and synchronous manner for rapid growth and sustainable development; ensure the synchronous and coordinated implementation of mandates, with socio-economic development at its core, Party building as the key, cultural development as the mental foundation, and defense and security as the critical and regular tasks.

      Third, to awaken patriotism, promote awareness of national resilience, maximize the great national solidarity and aspiration for a prosperous and happy Viet Nam as the driver and resources for national development. To bring into full play the synergy of the entire political system, the time-honored culture and the people of Viet Nam. To accelerate innovation and application of advanced technologies, particularly the advances of the 4^th Industrial Revolution. To combine the power of nation and that of the times, to maximise internal resources and take advantage of external resources; the internal resources, human resources in particular, stand the utmost critical.

      Fourth, the decisive factor to succeed in the building and defending of our nation is the continuation of Party building and rectification, the enhancement of the Party's leadership, ruling and combative capacity, the building of a truly clean and strong Party and political system across the board, an efficacious, competent and productive State apparatus, and a pool of cadre and Party members of high qualifications, strong competence and good credibility, particularly those at the strategic level.

     3.2. The National Party Congress identified its overarching goals in the 2021-2025 tenure and beyond as follows: To enhance the Party's leadership, ruling and combative capacity, to build a clean and strong Party and political system across the board, to strengthen the people's trust in the Party, State and the socialist system, to awaken the aspiration for national building toward prosperity and happiness, to tap into the collective will and power of the great national solidarity alongside the power of the times to comprehensively and synchronously advance the cause of Doi Moi, industrialization and modernization, to build and steadfastly defend the Fatherland, and to secure an environment of peace and stability. We shall make every effort so that by mid-21^st century Viet Nam will become a socialist-oriented developed country.

     Based on this overarching goal, the Congress identified a clear development vision between now and 2045 aiming towards concrete goals in accordance with the following roadmap:

     + By 2025 – the 50^th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification: Viet Nam shall be a developing country with a modern-oriented industry base and graduate from lower-middle income status.

      + By 2030 – the centenary of the Party: Viet Nam shall be a developing country with a modern industry base and upper-middle income.

      + By 2045 – the centenary of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam: Viet Nam shall be a high-income developed country.

      The Congress adopted key targets to chart the course for national development until 2025 and beyond, as follow:

      + Economy: Average annual economic growth over the next five years shall be 6.5 to 7 percent. By 2025, annual GDP per capita shall be $4,700 - $5,000.

      + Society: By 2025, the proportion of agricultural labour in the total workforce shall be around 25 percent. Trained labor shall be 70 percent, urban unemployment in 2025 shall be under 4 percent, and the rate of multidimensional poverty reduction shall be maintained at 1 - 1.5% per year. Total health insurance coverage shall be 95%, and life expectancy shall be 74.5 years.

     + Environment: By 2025, clean water coverage shall be 95 to 100 percent in urban areas, and 93 to 95 percent in rural areas. 100 percent of facilities causing serious pollution shall be duly handled, and forest coverage shall be maintained stably at 42 percent.

    3.3. To successfully realize this development vision, the National Party Congress identified twelve strategic orientations for national development for 2021 - 2030. These were elaborated in the six core tasks and solutions. The scope of the three strategic breakthroughs have also been supplemented to match the new development stage.  

       The six core tasks and solutions are:

      1. To continue stepping up Party building and rectification and the building of a socialist rule-of-law state  and a comprehensive, clean and strong political system. To improve the method of the Party's leadership and ruling. To organize a streamlined, effective and capable political apparatus. To proceed with the fight against bureaucracy, corruption and extravagance.

     2. To robustly adopt a new growth model and restructure the economy. To build and complete holistic and integrated institutions in line with a full-fledged, modern and integrated market economy to create synergy between different sectors, regions, economic stakeholders and forms of business. To step up the research, transfer and application of scientific and technological advances and innovation, especially the fruits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To engage in national digital transformation and the development of the digital economy for rapid growth and sustainable development.

     ​3. To awaken the aspiration for national development towards prosperity and happiness. To tap into the virtues of the Vietnamese culture and its people in the cause for national construction and defense and international integration. To effectively implement social policies and ensure social progress and equality, to improve the quality of life and happiness indicators for the Vietnamese people.

      4. To safeguard independence and self-reliance, and continually improve the quality and effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration. To bolster defense and security capability, and steadfastly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, including our waters, islands and sky. To uphold an environment of peace and stability for national development.

      5.To complete a integrated system of laws, mechanisms and policies to vigorously advance socialist democracy and the people's ownership, while strengthening the rule of law to ensure social law and order and the great national solidarity. 

     6. To diligently manage and effectively and rationally make use of land and natural resources. To protect and improve the environment. To actively implement solutions to adapt to climate change.

     3.4. In the process of implementing these tasks and solutions, we hold that resources are to be allocated and special attention given to the creation of substantive changes in the realization of three strategic breakthroughs set by the 11^th and 12^th Congresses and further elaborated upon by the present Congress to match the new development stage, specifically:

    (1) Holistically improve our institutions, particularly our socialist-oriented market economy institutions. Prioritizing the perfection of our legal system, as well as mechanisms and policies to foster a favorable, healthy, fair business environment conducive to innovation. Mobilize, manage and effectively utilize all resources for development.

    (2) Promote human resources development, particularly quality human resources, with priority given to leadership and management positions, and core sectors on the basis of improving the quality of education and training to foster fundamental, robust and thorough changes in this regard. Such shifts should be closely associated with policies for recruitment, use of and incentives for talents.

    (3) Build a holistic and modern socio-economic, environmental and defense-security infrastructure system. Prioritize the development of core national projects on transportation and climate change adaptation. Focus on ICT infrastructure development, laying the groundwork for national digital transformation and the gradual development of a digital economy and society.

      4. Foreign policy guidelines

      The 13^th National Party Congress took place amid complicated developments in the region and the world, which presented Viet Nam with multiple opportunities and challenges. The Party Congress spent much time on discussing and agreeing on the foreign policy lines.

      The Party Congress affirms the overarching line of "upholding the consistent foreign policy line of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of external relations. Viet Nam is a friend, a trusted partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community. Safeguarding to the utmost national interests on the basis of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation."

     Specifically, in the upcoming tenure, we will engage in foreign affairs in a holistic, effective and innovative manner, proactively and actively promote comprehensive and extensive international integration.

    (i) Effectively align the Party's foreign affairs with the State and people-to-people diplomacy. Build a comprehensive and modern diplomacy.

   (ii) Promote bilateral diplomacy and elevate multilateral diplomacy. Strengthen integration capacity, particularly at regional and local levels and for businesses. Fully harness the opportunities brought about by international integration, especially the signed FTAs. Engage in comprehensive and extensive international integration. Effectively and flexibly implement international commitments.

    Expand ties and promote cooperation with political, social actors and people in other countries. Strive for peace, independence, democracy, cooperation, development and social progress.

       (iii) proactively promote defense and security diplomacy.

     (iv) Bolster economic diplomacy for development. Expand and elevate cultural diplomacy, contributing to promoting the image of our country.

   III. Election results of the 13^th Central Committee, the 13^th Central Inspection Commission, the 13^th Politburo and the 13^th Secretariat

      The Congress has elected the members of the highest governing body of the Party – the 13^th Central Committee, with 180 full members and 20 alternate members. Election results met the criteria, and the Election Regulation of the 13^th National Party Congress.

    Personnel work was conducted in a transparent, democratic, meticulous and professional manner. The 13^th Central Committee consists of cadres who are exemplary in moral, capacity, and credibility. They are persevering in meeting the goals of national independence and upholding socialism and the Party's reform guidelines. They dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility. They are innovative, and able to unite people and harness collective strength.

        Among 200 elected members, 19 are female.

    At the 1^st meeting on 31 January, the 13^th Central Committee voted for members of the Politburo (with 18 members), the Secretariat (with a number of Politburo members assigned by the Politburo to join the Secretariat and 05 members voted for at the 1^st meeting of the Central Committee), the Central Inspection Commission (with the Chairman being Mr. Tran Cam Tu).

     H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong was voted as the General Secretary of the 13^th Central Committee. 

      On the occasion of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, leaders of political parties, countries, international organizations, individuals and international friends have sent congratulatory letters and messages to the Congress and Leaders of the CPV, showcasing solidarity, friendship, cooperation and affection for the Party, country and people of Viet Nam. This is a major encouragement for the resolve of the entire Party, people and army of our country. To date, we are elated to receive 368 congratulatory letters and messages from 167 political parties, 18 foreign party committees and organizations, 6 regional and international organizations, 130 socio-political and mass friendship organizations, 26 diplomatic missions in Viet Nam, and 21 individuals from 93 countries around the world​./.