Former Party leader Nong Duc Manh, former PM Nguyen Tan Dung receive Golden Star Order, Vietnam government's highest decoration

The Gold Star Order is the highest decoration in awards and decorations given by the Vietnamese government to a person or an organization that completed exceptional service or established excellent achievement for the revolutionary cause of the Communist Party and the nation.

Former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh (L) and sitting Party General Secretary To Lam. Photo by VNA

During the Monday meeting with current and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, organized by the Party’s Politburo and the Secretariat, Lam also conferred the Ho Chi Minh Order on former National Assembly Chairpersons Nguyen Sinh Hung and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former Standing Members of the Secretariat Le Hong Anh and Tran Quoc Vuong, former National Assembly Vice Chairperson Tong Thi Phong, former Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan, and former Minister of National Defense General Ngo Xuan Lich.

They were honored for their exceptional contributions to the Party and the nation’s revolutionary efforts.

The Party and State posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Order to former President and General Tran Dai Quang.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam (R) presents the Golden Star Order to former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Jan. 20, 2024. Photo by VNA

Speaking at the meeting, Lam acknowledged significant personnel changes in the Party’s senior leadership in 2024. He emphasized the continued solidarity and unity within the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the political system in implementing effective work programs.

According to the Party leader, these changes have strengthened the Party's cohesion and operational synergy. He highlighted the urgency of renewing leadership methods and enhancing the Party's capacity to guide the nation through a new historical phase.

To achieve the goal of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, he stressed the need for maximum efforts starting in 2025. These efforts should focus on attracting investment, boosting production, business, and services, and achieving an annual growth rate of at least 8% or higher to lay a foundation for double-digit growth from 2026.

"The country, at historical crossroads, requires strong will, determination and historical decisions," Lam said.

He reaffirmed the Party's mission to lead the nation into an era of prosperity, ensuring that all citizens live in comfort and happiness. He described the period leading up to 2030 as critical for establishing a new global order and a strategic opportunity for Vietnam to meet its 100-year goals under Party leadership.

"Missing this opportunity would be a failure to the nation and its people. This is the command of our era."

While recognizing the immense and historic achievements of 40 years of Doi Moi (Renovation), the General Secretary urged reflection on existing limitations and challenges. He identified obstacles not only from external and objective factors but also internal issues such as institutional and cultural barriers.

He called for continued reform in leadership methods, enhanced governance capacity, and decisive, comprehensive changes in economic management, cultural development, and social progress. He also emphasized building a resilient, capable Vietnamese citizenry, safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, maintaining political and social stability, and advancing foreign relations and international integration.

Looking ahead to 2025, the General Secretary urged all levels of the Party to prioritize preparations for the 14th Party Congress, particularly personnel work, which he identified as the key determinant of its success. He also called for a review of Resolution 18, which focuses on streamlining organizational structures and creating an efficient, effective political system.