Speaking at the recently concluded 15th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee, Party General Secretary To Lam described personnel work for the upcoming congress as a task of special importance, requiring accuracy, prudence and strict adherence to established rules and procedures.

Personnel selection seen as decisive for Vietnam’s next development phase

The preparation and nomination of members for the 14th Party Central Committee is widely regarded as the “key of the key” - a decisive factor in shaping Vietnam’s political stability and policy direction as the country enters a new stage of development.

According to the Party leadership, personnel planning has intensified as the congress approaches. At the 15th Plenum, the Party Central Committee reached a high level of consensus on reports outlining proposed candidates for the next Central Committee, Politburo, Secretariat and other key Party and state leadership positions for the 2026–2031 term. These nominations will be submitted to the 14th National Party Congress for final decision and election.

The strong consensus reflects what Party leaders describe as a careful, multi-layered review process based on clear standards, collective deliberation and institutional safeguards.

Long-term, systematic preparation of strategic-level cadres

Le Van Cuong, Deputy Director of the Party Building Institute at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said the approach to personnel preparation has been increasingly systematic and long-term over multiple Party terms.

Since the 11th National Party Congress, Vietnam has introduced regular training and capacity-building programmes for officials in the pipeline for Central Committee positions. These programmes focus on political theory, leadership skills and governance capacity, while also requiring candidates to gain hands-on experience at local levels and in challenging assignments.

This approach helps ensure continuity, stability and adaptability in the leadership, Cuong said, noting that cadre development has become a continuous process rather than a last-minute exercise ahead of Party congresses.

For the 14th Congress, personnel planning began early in the current 13th term, closely linked with annual and mid-term performance evaluations. The process follows a dynamic and open principle, allowing for adjustments, promotions or removals based on performance, discipline and suitability.

Greater emphasis has also been placed on identifying officials with expertise in science, technology and modern governance, reflecting Vietnam’s priorities for rapid and sustainable development.

Multi-step vetting and strict screening

Party authorities say all stages of personnel work, from review and nomination to appraisal, are conducted through multiple rounds, involving relevant agencies and collective oversight.

Candidates are assessed on political integrity, ethics, discipline, leadership capacity, job performance and public credibility. Individuals who fail to meet required standards or show signs of misconduct or ethical decline are excluded from consideration.

In a notable development during the 13th term, the Party organised centralized training courses for incumbent Central Committee members, reinforcing the principle of lifelong learning and signaling that senior leaders are also expected to continuously upgrade their skills and strategic vision.

Final decision rests with Party Congress delegates

Despite the extensive preparation by the Central Committee, the final authority lies with delegates to the 14th National Party Congress, who represent the Party’s broader membership.

Cuong stressed that delegates bear a significant responsibility to carefully review candidates before casting their votes. Errors in personnel selection, he warned, could have long-term consequences - a lesson underscored by disciplinary actions against senior officials in previous terms.

At this stage, the emphasis is on responsibility, transparency and informed decision-making, he said.

Vietnamese leadership argues that the meticulous and rules-based approach to personnel preparation reflects the Party’s determination to strengthen internal discipline, governance quality and public trust.

As preparations for the 14th National Party Congress continue, Party officials say the process is designed to ensure that the next generation of leaders is equipped with the competence, integrity and credibility needed to guide Vietnam through an increasingly complex regional and global environment.

15th Party Central Committee meeting discusses personnel work for 14th National Congress

VOV.VN - The 15th meeting of the 13th Party Central Committee opened on the morning of December 22 at the Party Central Headquarters under the chairmanship of Party General Secretary To Lam, with State President Luong Cuong presiding over the opening session.