For the past 80 years, the Party has led Vietnam to glorious historic victories which showed not only the spirit of national great unity but also the Party’s political strength.

In the context of global integration, the political power should be strengthened as it is considered the key to every success.

The draft political platform for the transitional period to socialism in Vietnam proposed at the 11th Party’s National Congress emphasized that defeating feudalism and imperialism, Vietnam became an independent country and decided to follow the path to socialism.

Freed from colonist rules, the Vietnamese people became masters of their own country. From a poor and underdeveloped nation, Vietnam took giant steps toward building an industrialised and modern country, established diplomatic ties with many countries and continued to enhance its position in the region and the world, said the platform.

According to researchers, during its 80-year history, the CPV has twice experienced dangerous and difficult situations. In the 1945-1946 period, Vietnam was threatened by internal and external hostile forces, hunger, ignorance, and foreign invaders, but under the wise leadership of the Party, headed by President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam overcame all difficulties to defend the young revolutionary government and national independence. In 1986, despite the embargo and protests instigated by hostile forces and a socio-economic crisis, the Party rectified its mistakes and shortcomings and launched a renewal process at its 6^th National Congress.

Great achievements recorded in the past 25 years have proved the Party’s improved policies and its close relationship with the people. The renewal process has received strong support from the people, but still faces numerous challenges, so the Party is meeting to decide on the best way of leading the country effectively.

Dr. Dao Huu Tien, former Director of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, said in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Vietnam faced a lot of challenges rising from the collapse of socialism in East Europe and the Soviet Union, the embargo imposed by the US, the triple-digit inflation rate, and the reactionary propaganda of hostile forces against Vietnam. However, the CPV confirmed its consistent policy of combining national independence and socialism to promote the renewal process.

Following the Party’s decision to develop a socialist-oriented market economy with the participation of different economic sectors, Vietnam was still confronted with many difficulties, especially the negative impact of the Asian financial crisis which took place in 1997 and 1998.

Recently, Vietnam was struck by the global economic crisis. However, the country did its best to weather the crisis and maintain a high growth rate, while stabilising the macroeconomy. This is attributed to the Party’s trong political will and the people’s consensus.

According to the Party’s draft political report, the Party should be intelligent, determined, and creative in working out appropriate policies for the country to keep pace with new developments in the world.

Dr. Ngo Quang Minh from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration said one of the factors behind the success of the Vietnamese revolution is the strong vitality and enthusiasm of the Vietnamese people.

People tend to actively respond to any policies introduced by the Party, said Dr. Minh.

In its draft political report, the Party attaches great importance to strengthening the political will and improving the brainpower of Party members in the struggle against conservatism, subjectivism, and dogmatism within the Party. It shows its determination and firm political will in the renewal process.