14th Party Congress: Consolidating the long-term vision to transform Vietnam into a developed country.

On the occasion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a VNA reporter in New Delhi had an exchange with former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, SD Pradhan, about the historical and contemporary significance of the Congress as well as the major orientations for Vietnam's development path in the coming period.

According to Mr. SD Pradhan, the 14th National Congress marks a crucial turning point in Vietnam's development trajectory, taking place amidst increasing geopolitical competition, strong technological breakthroughs, and increasingly clear development constraints. The Congress aims to consolidate the long-term vision of making Vietnam a developed, high-income country by the middle of the 21st century.

He assessed the historically significant highlight of this Congress as Vietnam's choice of a new growth model based on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, demonstrating a decisive shift from a growth model based on input factors to a knowledge- and productivity-based economy.

Former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, SD Pradhan, pointed out a noteworthy aspect in General Secretary To Lam's recent statements, emphasizing key strategic breakthroughs such as decentralization and delegation of power; focus on science, innovation, and digital transformation; and concentration on developing high-quality, highly skilled human resources. According to the expert, these are the core pillars that will lay the foundation for high and sustainable growth in the coming period.

In that spirit, the 14th National Congress aims to elevate science and technology to the position of a primary productive force, through increasing investment in research and development (R&D), strengthening linkages between universities, research institutes and businesses, and prioritizing strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, biotechnology, and renewable energy… in order to gradually reduce dependence on imported technology.

Furthermore, the private sector is identified as a key driver of innovation, while AI and digital transformation are seen as overarching acceleration drivers.

According to expert SD Pradhan, these orientations have profound political and strategic significance, contributing to enhancing the resilience of the economy and strengthening strategic autonomy, helping Vietnam navigate competition among major powers without becoming a "proxy" of any country, while simultaneously improving its position in global governance. This also demonstrates Vietnam's capacity and readiness to reshape its socialist development path in a direction consistent with innovation and digital transformation.

Commenting on the new points in the draft document for the 14th National Congress, an Indian expert stated that adjustments such as linking environmental protection with socio-economic development, identifying foreign affairs and international integration as crucial and ongoing tasks alongside national defense and security, and affirming the key role of culture, people, and the private economy clearly reflect Vietnam's new development requirements. These adjustments show the recognition that the biggest constraints on development today lie in productivity, innovation, and institutional capacity, rather than capital and labor.

Accordingly, the targets for 2030 require innovation to sustain growth and modernize the industrial sector, while the vision for 2045 demands innovation to reposition Vietnam in the global economy. The new growth model therefore serves as a strategic bridge between medium-term goals and long-term development aspirations.

According to expert SD Pradhan, the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam is a clear testament to the Vietnamese Party's capacity for self-renewal and its ability to summarize practical experiences, demonstrated by its frank acknowledgment of the limitations of the current development model and its commitment to continued reform. The inclusion of the theory of reform as a constituent part of the Party's ideological foundation shows flexibility in thinking and a high degree of practicality, while the documents also place greater emphasis on governance capacity, anti-corruption efforts, and human resource development.

In terms of feasibility, the development commitments are assessed as having a solid foundation, based on a proven track record of reforms, political stability, and a clear long-term vision towards the milestones of 2030 and 2045.

Mr. SD Pradhan argued that the ultimate outcome would depend primarily on effective implementation, the operational capacity of institutions, and the ability to effectively manage social and environmental challenges.

To realize the goals of the 14th National Congress over the next five years, he suggested that Vietnam needs to prioritize shifting towards productivity-based growth; continue institutional and governance reforms; invest in education, digital skills training, and the development of high-quality human resources; strengthen the domestic private sector alongside attracting FDI; and integrate green growth and climate change resilience into its development strategy.

According to expert SD Pradhan, continuing to pursue a multilateral foreign policy, actively integrating, seizing opportunities but avoiding being drawn into power struggles among major powers is the right strategic choice. Vietnam's early recognition of the need to adjust and synchronize policies in the context of changing geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions is a major advantage, enabling the 14th National Congress not only to set the right direction but also to create a foundation for strengthening national capacity and realizing the goal of a prosperous people, a strong nation, and a socialist society, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's leading powers.