Vietnam’s ruling party begins congressAFP, HANOIVietnam’s ruling Communist Party opens its twice-a-decade congress today, finalizing its leadership roster for the next five years and outlining plans for the fast-growing Southeast Asian manufacturing hub. The only legal party in Vietnam, it has so far followed consensus-based decisionmaking, preventing the emergence of a single all-powerful leader. Party General Secretary To Lam is challenging that model, seeking to become president as well as party chief. A woman walks past billboards advertising the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi on Thursday last week. Lam is set to retain his post as Vietnam’s top leader, according to sources briefed on party deliberations.

Source: Taipei Times January 18, 2026 17:55 UTC