Vietnam's National Party Congress begins key personnel elections

The election of the Central Committee is one of the most important items on the congress agenda. The new Central Committee will later elect the Politburo, the General Secretary and the Secretariat, shaping the Party’s top leadership for the coming term.

The 14th-term Party Central Committee is expected to comprise 200 members, including 180 full members and 20 alternate members. All members are to be elected by secret ballot.

At an international press briefing on Jan. 14, Standing Secretariat member Tran Cam Tu said preparations for the new Central Committee’s personnel had been carried out by the 13th-term Central Committee and the Personnel Subcommittee of the 14th Congress in accordance with Party regulations, the principle of democratic centralism, and relevant legal provisions.

He said the process was conducted in a manner that ensured it was "scientific, rigorous, democratic, objective, and transparent," while promoting collective intelligence and broad participation.

According to the Standing Secretariat, personnel planning for the 14th term seeks to balance standards and structure, continuity and stability, renewal and development, as well as professional expertise and practical capacity. The selection process places particular emphasis on performance, effectiveness, and demonstrated contributions as key criteria for evaluating, appointing and utilizing officials.

Election procedures for top leadership

After the new Central Committee is formally introduced, its first plenary session will be convened to elect the Politburo, the General Secretary, and the Secretariat.

At the first session, the Presidium will submit a proposal on the number of Politburo members to be elected for discussion and approval by the Central Committee. A personnel list prepared by the previous-term Central Committee will be presented for consideration, after which Central Committee members may self-nominate or nominate candidates. Following group discussions, the Presidium will consolidate the candidate list, handle withdrawal requests in line with regulations, and submit the final slate for approval before a secret ballot is held and results announced.

The election of the General Secretary will also take place at the first plenary session. The Presidium will report on the requirements and criteria for the post, along with personnel recommendations from the previous-term Central Committee, the newly elected Politburo, and nominations made at the congress. Central Committee members will then discuss, nominate and vote. The final candidate list and election results will be approved and announced following ballot counting.

After the General Secretary is elected, the Central Committee will proceed to elect members of the Secretariat. The newly elected General Secretary, on behalf of the Presidium, will propose the number of Secretariat members for discussion and approval. Candidates will be nominated and discussed before a vote is held. In addition to members elected by the Central Committee, some Secretariat members will be assigned by the Politburo in accordance with Party regulations.

Congress schedule adjusted

On the afternoon of Jan. 21, the congress approved an adjusted agenda, shortening the schedule by 1.5 days compared with the original plan. The 14th National Party Congress is now scheduled to conclude on Jan. 23.

In addition to electing the new Party Central Committee, the congress will adopt four major documents: the Political Report; a report reviewing theoretical and practical issues after 40 years of the Doi Moi reform process; a report summarizing 15 years of implementation of the Party Charter; and a report reviewing the leadership and direction of the 13th-term Party Central Committee.