With every returning spring, as the earth and sky stir with the fresh breath of budding trees and blossoms, the hearts of the Vietnamese people well up with sacred emotion and deep pride in the glorious Party and the great President Ho Chi Minh — the one who brought spring to the nation and shed the light of revolution to illuminate the country’s path forward.

At this moment of harmony between nature and the human spirit, we once again proudly recall the historic spring of 1930 — the spring when the Communist Party of Viet Nam was founded, ushering in a great turning point for the Vietnamese revolution. From then on, our People had the Party’s leadership, together with a correct platform and line. And at only fifteen years of age, with its courage and intellect, the Party led the entire nation to achieve the earth-shaking August Revolution of 1945, transforming our people from the status of slaves into masters of their country and of their own destiny.

Overview of the 14th National Party Congress

From that “spring of independence”, under the Party’s glorious banner, to safeguard the revolutionary achievements and the dignity of the nation, our armed forces and People endured countless hardships and sacrifices, continuing to write heroic chapters of history: the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu that was “resounding across the five continents and shaking the globe”; the Great Spring Victory of 1975, which reunified the country and set the whole nation on the path towards socialism. With reunification achieved, our nation continued to overcome formidable challenges. The Renovation (Doi Moi) process initiated and led by the Party was a decision of historic magnitude, reflecting the mettle, innovative thinking, and development aspirations of a Party that remains flesh-and-blood close to the People, always placing the interests of the People and the nation above all else. From a poor and backward economy, Viet Nam has risen vigorously, attaining great and historically significant achievements across all fields; People’s living standards have steadily improved; and the country’s international standing and prestige have been increasingly enhanced.

In the continuous flow of these revolutionary springs, the 14th National Party Congress was convened and achieved great success. The Congress was an event of particularly profound political significance for the country, embodying the crystallisation of the intellect, will, confidence, and powerful aspirations for advancement of the entire nation; it stands as vivid testimony to the Party’s mettle, wisdom, and prestige. The Congress took place against the backdrop of rapid, complex, and unpredictable developments in the global and regional situation, while the country faced both major opportunities and intertwined difficulties and challenges. In that context, the Congress clearly demonstrated a spirit of looking directly at the truth, accurately assessing the situation, neither avoiding difficulties nor resting content with the results already achieved, thereby setting forth a strategic vision and major policy decisions for the nation’s future.

The documents of the Congress embody the crystallisation of innovative thinking, collective intellect, and the development aspirations of the entire Party, People, and armed forces. The Congress affirmed the highly significant, comprehensive, and historically meaningful achievements in implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress: macroeconomic stability has been maintained; the economy’s capacity and resilience have been strengthened; political and social stability have been preserved; national defence and security have been firmly safeguarded; foreign affairs and international integration have achieved notable results; and the People’s confidence in the Party has been increasingly consolidated and enhanced. One of the most distinctive hallmarks of the past term has been the organisational streamlining of the political system’s apparatus. This has been not only an organisational reform, but also a pivotal step forward in national governance thinking, demonstrating the Party’s and the State’s strong political resolve. Alongside this, Party building and rectification, together with the fight against corruption, wastefulness, and other negative phenomena, have continued to be vigorously advanced; discipline and order have been further strengthened, and so forth.

With a strong sense of responsibility before the Party, the People, and history, the 14th National Party Congress also frankly pointed out the shortcomings, weaknesses, and bottlenecks that must be resolutely addressed — from institutions, resources, and infrastructure to implementation; from the quality of the cadre contingent to issues concerning society, the environment, and People’s livelihoods. On that basis, guided by the motto “Solidarity – Democracy – Discipline – Breakthrough – Development”, the Congress established a strategic vision for a new era — an era of the Vietnamese nation’s ascent. This will be an era defined by a powerful aspiration for development, by strategic autonomy, and by self-reliance and self-strengthening; an era striving successfully to achieve the goal of becoming, by 2030, a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income, and by 2045, a developed, high-income country. It is all for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, thriving, civilised, and happy Viet Nam, steadfastly advancing towards socialism.

The overarching spirit of the 14th Congress term is one of strategic autonomy, seizing opportunities firmly, fostering unity and concerted effort, and overcoming challenges; of turning will into action and decisions into tangible results; of saying what is done, acting immediately, acting resolutely, seeing tasks through to the end, and ensuring effectiveness. Socio-economic development associated with environmental protection is regarded as central; Party building as the key; cultural and human development as the spiritual foundation; while strengthening national defence and security and promoting foreign affairs are essential and regular tasks. Breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and national digital transformation are identified as the core driving forces of development.

The 14th National Party Congress once again affirmed a fundamental truth of the Vietnamese revolution: the Party’s leadership is the decisive factor to every victory; the Party’s renewal line is appropriate, creative, and consistent with practical realities as well as the laws of the times. The principle that “the People are the root” continues to be upheld as the source of strength and the highest yardstick for all policy decisions. The People are the centre, the subject, the objective, the driving force, and the resource of development. Notably, the Congress elected the 14th-term Party Central Committee, comprising 180 full members and 20 alternate members, representing more than 5.6 million Party members nationwide — comrades who possess the requisite competence, qualities, capacity, and prestige to shoulder responsibilities before the Party and the People in the new term — a term that marks the beginning of the nation’s era of ascent.

For the Viet Nam People’s Army, the success of the 14th Congress and the strategic orientations set out by the Party constitute both a political directive and a compass for action. In that spirit, the entire armed forces remain united as one, striving ceaselessly to build a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern Army; to enhance overall quality and combat strength; to proactively and effectively handle all situations without falling into passivity or surprise; and, at the same time, to serve as the core force in disaster prevention and control, search and rescue, and participation in socio-economic and cultural development, thereby consolidating an ever-stronger “People’s defence posture”.

Proud of the glorious Party, the great President Ho Chi Minh, the heroic nation, and the great achievements our country has secured under the Party’s leadership and governance over the past 96 years, and entering a new context, new goals, and new aspirations in a new era, each cadre, Party member, and citizen of Viet Nam grows ever more confident in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and our People. Although many difficulties lie ahead, with our glorious traditions, steadfast mettle, and the strength of great national unity, we firmly believe that the Vietnamese nation will continue to accomplish new feats.

Under the Party’s glorious banner, the entire Party, People, and armed forces must unite with one heart and mind, uphold confidence, shoulder responsibility, harness intellect, and devote themselves wholeheartedly; turning strategies into action and aspirations into reality; building our country to become ever more dignified and prosperous, greater and more beautiful, as President Ho Chi Minh always wished.

Move on! Victory will surely be ours!

NATIONAL DEFENCE JOURNAL