On the morning of 31/7, at a meeting with veteran revolutionary cadres, pre-uprising participants, heroic Vietnamese mothers, generals, and heroes of the armed forces in Hanoi, Party General Secretary To Lam announced that the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. The Central Committee is currently preparing for the 14th Congress to "become a historic congress, marking Vietnam's entry into an era of prosperity, sustainable development, and a warm, happy life for the people."

Draft documents for the congress will be circulated in August for feedback from party committees, party cells, all party members, and the public. The drafts have already received input from the 12th Central Committee meeting, as well as several scientists and intellectuals.

The General Secretary emphasized that the 14th Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat must prioritize quality, with an appropriate size and structure to meet comprehensive leadership requirements. Accordingly, the 14th Central Committee is expected to have 200 members, including 180 official members and 20 alternate members. The 14th Politburo will have 17-19 members, and the Secretariat will maintain 11-13 members. These numbers are largely consistent with recent congresses.

Cadres under the age of 47 will account for over 10% of the total Central Committee members, while women and ethnic minorities will represent 10-12%.

Party General Secretary To Lam speaking on the morning of 31/7. Photo: Giang Huy

Party General Secretary To Lam speaking on the morning of 31/7. Photo: Giang Huy

"Selected Central Committee members must be truly exemplary, honest, daring to think, act, and take responsibility, willing to sacrifice personal interests for the common good, and prioritize the interests of the collective, the people, and the nation," the General Secretary said.

Authorities are considering increasing Central Committee representation for certain priority positions, areas, and fields. For example, the Military Party Committee will have more Central Committee members than in previous congresses. This aims to strengthen the Party's leadership and power within the military.

The Central Committee will hold three meetings between now and the 14th Congress to meticulously prepare documents, personnel matters, and address urgent national issues.

Restructuring provides opportunities to recruit talent

Regarding streamlining the political system, the General Secretary emphasized that this is a decisive renewal of the Party's thinking, creating new momentum and driving Vietnam into a new era of development.

For the first time, this restructuring is being implemented on such a large and thorough scale, based on a long-term strategic vision for national development. The process has been carefully evaluated and considered from multiple angles to achieve consensus on policies, plans, and timelines, with a clear focus on personnel, tasks, methods, responsibilities, completion times, and immediate implementation.

To date, the party delegations, party standing boards, and party committees under the Central Committee and local authorities have ceased operations. Four new party committees have been established at the central level: the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies, the Government Party Committee, the National Assembly Party Committee, and the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and Central Mass Organizations.

Streamlining efforts have reduced four party agencies, 25 party standing boards, 16 party delegations under the Central Committee, five National Assembly agencies, five ministries and three government agencies, 30 general departments, 1,025 departments, 4,413 sub-departments, and 205 public service units under ministries and branches.

Ministries and branches have reduced 22,300 personnel, while provincial levels have reduced over 18,440 staff compared to the total authorized staff in 2022. Commune levels have seen a reduction of 110,700 staff compared to the total authorized staff at district and commune levels in 2022.

Party General Secretary To Lam meeting with veteran revolutionary cadres, pre-uprising participants, heroic Vietnamese mothers, generals, and heroes of the armed forces on the morning of 31/7. Photo: Giang Huy

Party General Secretary To Lam meeting with veteran revolutionary cadres, pre-uprising participants, heroic Vietnamese mothers, generals, and heroes of the armed forces on the morning of 31/7. Photo: Giang Huy

The savings from streamlining amount to "thousands of billions of dong". "But the most important thing is the people's trust in the Party's continued renewal," the General Secretary said, adding that this effort helps to overcome the often-repeated lesson that "implementation remains a weak point." He hopes this phrase will no longer be necessary.

According to the Party leader, streamlining is not just about reducing staff but, more importantly, about innovative and creative thinking. "In the past, the apparatus was created to manage, and if it couldn't manage, it would prohibit. Now, the mindset of the government apparatus is to create and serve," he said, affirming that the two-level local government must be close to the people, understand their needs, and adhere to their demands.

Regarding personnel work, the General Secretary recalled that when the apparatus was restructured, the people were very supportive and happy, but in some places, cadres were apprehensive. "I asked them why the people are happy but the cadres are worried. How can we explain this to the people, since cadres serve the people?" he shared.

In some units, cadres, despite being assigned to the new structure, voluntarily resigned due to excessive pressure or because their working style, thinking, and methods did not meet the new requirements. The General Secretary believes this presents an opportunity to recruit talented individuals and young, capable, and enlightened cadres.

No prohibited areas in cadre discipline

Regarding the fight against waste and negativity, the General Secretary said it is being intensified from the central to local levels and "there are absolutely no signs of laxity at any level".

In the first six months of the year, prosecution agencies initiated 1,776 new cases with 4,038 defendants charged with corruption and economic crimes. Cases and incidents monitored by the steering committee are being investigated and handled more quickly. Backlogged cases related to negativity and waste, some dating back over 20 years, are being actively addressed.

"The fight against corruption, waste, and negativity aims to best serve socio-economic development and ensure the successful organization of party congresses at all levels, including the 14th Congress. We are determined not to let any cases of degradation, corruption, waste, or negativity infiltrate the new committees," the General Secretary said, emphasizing the principle of immediate action upon discovery.

Cases with signs of criminal activity will be prosecuted, investigated, and concluded. Guilty individuals will be prosecuted and tried according to regulations. Cases not warranting criminal prosecution will be strictly disciplined according to Party regulations, with no prohibited areas or exceptions.

Simultaneously, disciplinary action against cadres at all levels, including those under the management of the Politburo and Secretariat, is being carried out systematically, in compliance with the law and Party regulations, ensuring fairness and equality before the law.

"The applied disciplinary measures, in addition to the strictness of the law, also demonstrate humaneness and compassion," the General Secretary said.

Hoang Phuong - Vu Tuan