Vietnam Communist Party Opens Landmark Congress to Decide Leadership and Economic Goals
The week-long congress in Hanoi will select a new Central Committee and establish a 10 percent growth target. General Secretary To Lam is expected to remain in his role while security is prioritized.
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Vietnam 
VN's Communist Party officially convened its national congress on Monday, January 19, 2026, marking the start of a week-long event to determine the country's political leadership and economic trajectory. Approximately 1,600 delegates, representing 5.6 million party members in a single-party country of 100 million with no opposition, gathered in a Hanoi building where mobile phones are jammed to ensure secrecy. This congress, which operates under opaque rules and concludes on January 25, is a rare occurrence that happens only every five years.
VN's Communist Party officially convened its national congress on Monday, January 19, 2026, marking the start of a week-long event to determine the country's political leadership and economic trajectory. Approximately 1,600 delegates, representing 5.6 million party members in a single-party country of 100 million with no opposition, gathered in a Hanoi building where mobile phones are jammed to ensure secrecy. This congress, which operates under opaque rules and concludes on January 25, is a rare occurrence that happens only every five years.
