Post by : Meena Ariff

Vietnam’s top political leader, To Lam, has promised tough action against corruption and faster economic growth as he addressed senior members of the ruling Communist Party at a major meeting in Hanoi.

Speaking on Tuesday at the party’s national congress, Lam said Vietnam must deal firmly with wrongdoing inside the government. He warned that corruption, wasteful spending, and slow decision-making were damaging public trust and blocking the country’s progress.

“All wrong actions must be handled seriously,” Lam told nearly 1,600 party delegates. He urged officials to cut red tape, improve discipline, and make sure laws are properly enforced, not just written.

Important Party Meeting

The weeklong congress, held only once every five years, is one of the most important political events in Vietnam. It will decide the country’s top leadership and set economic and policy goals through 2030.

Lam currently holds the position of Communist Party secretary-general, the most powerful role in Vietnam. Reports suggest he may also seek the presidency, which would give him control over both the party and the state. Political analysts say this would give him a very strong mandate to push through reforms.

Big Economic Target

One of the key goals discussed at the congress is to grow Vietnam’s economy by at least 10 percent every year until 2030. Party leaders believe this strong growth is needed to improve living standards, protect national interests, and strengthen Vietnam’s position in global trade.

Lam said Vietnam must reduce unnecessary rules and expand international trade to support economic growth. He also stressed that the private sector is an important part of the economy and should be supported in a fair and transparent system.

Major Reforms Already Underway

Since coming to power about 17 months ago, Lam has moved quickly to reshape the government. He has removed entire layers of administration, closed several ministries or agencies, and cut nearly 150,000 jobs from the state payroll.

He has also pushed large infrastructure projects, including railways and power systems, to support long-term development.

Facing Many Challenges

Lam said the congress is taking place at a difficult time. Vietnam is dealing with natural disasters such as floods and storms, global security risks, and disruptions to energy and food supplies.

To respond, he said the country must invest in infrastructure that can adapt to climate change and improve connections with regional and global markets.

Party documents presented at the meeting admitted that weak law enforcement and slow action have been long-standing problems. Leaders said stricter discipline is needed to restore public trust.

With bold promises and ambitious goals, To Lam has signaled that Vietnam is entering a new phase of reform, focused on clean governance, strong growth, and long-term stability.

#Global News