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Right policies must translate into tangible development capacity: Top leader

Right policies must translate into tangible development capacity: Top leader

The Party Central Committee’s decisions require changes in thinking and coordinated reforms in Party building, leadership methods and personnel work. Right policies must translate into tangible development capacity, demonstrated through the operational effectiveness of the political system, the economy’s competitiveness and improvements in people’s lives.


​Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Commitee and President To Lam called for sound policies to be translated into tangible development outcomes at a nationwide conference in Hanoi on October 16.

The nationwide conference to study, disseminate and implement the resolutions of the 14th Party Central Committee’s fourth plenum, hosted by the Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat, was connected online to more than 40,000 locations across the country.

Addressing the event, General Secretary and President To Lam stressed that following the policy decisions made since the beginning of the 14th National Party Congress term, the fourth plenum of the Party Central Committee focused on strengthening the decisive conditions for successfully implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

The Party Central Committee’s decisions require changes in thinking and coordinated reforms in Party building, leadership methods and personnel work. Right policies must translate into tangible development capacity, demonstrated through the operational effectiveness of the political system, the economy’s competitiveness and improvements in people’s lives.

To Lam said that as the ruling party leading the State and society, the CPV is accountable to the people for its policies and leadership outcomes.

Implementing the resolutions requires every Party committee and Party member to seriously examine why sound policies have not translated into timely action, why resources remain underutilised and why responsibilities have not been fully discharged. The causes must be identified so that corrective action can address leadership methods, the quality of policy advice, personnel appointments and implementation arrangements.

The results of Party building and rectification must be tested through the performance of tasks related to national construction and development, the defence of the Fatherland and efforts to improve people’s living standards, he noted.

The Party General Secretary and President called for Party building and rectification to be linked with reforms to the Party’s leadership and governance methods and improvements in implementation capacity.

Changes in leadership methods must go hand in hand with preparing cadres who have the necessary capabilities and sense of responsibility. When work stagnates or progress fails to materialise, the quality of the Party organisation, its leadership methods and the performance of the officials in charge must be examined. Assessments of Party organisations must be based on task performance and clarify leadership responsibility for shortcomings that remain unresolved.

Political, ideological and ethical Party building must reinforce adherence to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the goal of national independence and socialism, as well as strengthen political resolve and a commitment to serving the people.

According to the top leader, efforts to combat degradation in political ideology, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”, corruption, wastefulness and other negative practices must be linked with building an environment of integrity and encouraging dedication. Reviews must clearly identify what has not been accomplished, the reasons, those responsible and corrective measures.

​Leaders must proactively accept responsibility, take feedback on board and make corrections. The same shortcomings must not continue to recur in annual reviews year after year, he said.

Renewing leadership methods begins with Party committees identifying the right issues requiring decisions and organising their implementation. Upholding the principle of democratic centralism and promoting collective wisdom must be accompanied by individual accountability, he added.

At the grassroots level, Party cell meetings must address issues closely related to assigned duties and people’s daily lives. When complaints arise about irresponsible officials, bureaucratic obstruction or prolonged unresolved petitions, Party organisations must examine the cases and require the responsible Party members to report on the matter and take corrective action.

The leader stressed the need to build, deploy and make effective use of the cadre contingent and attract and utilise talent to meet the country’s development requirements.

Each Party committee must review its personnel in light of task requirements, linking talent selection and training with performance assessments, personnel deployment and screening, he stated.

Assessments must be conducted regularly, with due weight given to political qualities, ethics, credibility and substantive contributions, while taking into account the conditions and difficulty of assigned tasks. Assessment results must be used promptly to assign work, provide further training or reassign cadres.

Reassignments must be evidence-based and comply with regulations. They should not be delayed until the end of a term or cause arbitrary disruption. Officials who fail to meet their responsibilities should be considered for replacement without waiting for misconduct serious enough to warrant disciplinary action. Reassignment must not serve as a substitute for handling violations.

Those who assess, recommend or appoint cadres must be held accountable for their evaluations and proposals. Firm action must be taken to prevent position-buying and power-buying, group interests and improper interference in personnel work, he added.

Cadres at the strategic level must be assessed on their ability to address major issues facing their sectors and localities within the broader context of national development. Preparing the next generation of cadres must involve assigning challenging tasks to develop and test their capabilities, with attention given to women, young people, ethnic minorities, and scientific and technical personnel, while ensuring standards and quality.

Under the two-tier local administration model, the quality of commune-level officials directly affects the effectiveness of implementing resolutions and public trust. Where grassroots capacity is weak, responsibility must be clarified for both those carrying out the work and the authorities responsible for personnel appointments.

The Party General Secretary and President said implementation of the talent strategy must be driven by the development needs of key sectors and fields. Developing domestic talent should serve as the foundation, while cooperation with Vietnamese intellectuals overseas and international experts should be expanded.

“Heads of agencies and organisations must be responsible for assigning work that matches individuals’ capabilities and creating conditions for talented people to make full use of their strengths and exercise initiative and creativity in their professional work. Performance assessments and remuneration policies must be based on their contributions,” he added. The leader stressed the need to promptly translate policies and decisions into institutional and legal frameworks, clearly delineate responsibilities and ensure the necessary conditions for implementation.

Party committees must review resolutions as part of the broader programme to implement the 14th National Party Congress resolution, identifying areas of complementarity, addressing overlaps and inconsistencies, and closing gaps in assigned tasks, he said.

Action plans should prioritise high-impact tasks and specify lead and coordinating agencies, lines of authority, deadlines, resources and expected outcomes. Tasks already assigned must continue to be implemented, avoiding duplicate assignments or overlapping plans.

“Authorities must proactively identify how bottlenecks to development are shifting. If institutional and regulatory obstacles have been removed but progress remains slow, they must reassess implementation capacity, inter-agency coordination and officials’ accountability,” he said.

Party General Secretary and President Lam noted that rules governing party members’ involvement in investment and business activities should encourage legitimate wealth creation, job generation and contributions to society, while safeguarding the standards of party membership.

Party members engaged in business must set an example in complying with the law and protecting workers’ legitimate rights and interests, he continued.

On decentralisation and the devolution of authority, he said each locality should tailor implementation to its own characteristics, needs and capacity while ensuring alignment with overarching objectives.

The leader also called for maximum efforts to meet the targets and tasks set for 2026 and ensure preparations are in place for the 2027 plan.

Ministries, agencies and local authorities were asked to review each target, identify delayed tasks and their causes, and take corrective action. Long-stalled projects that have resulted in waste must be addressed within the authorities’ respective mandates.

Meanwhile, local authorities were urged to coordinate on infrastructure, market and production-chain issues that extend beyond their jurisdictions. They should also create more favourable conditions for private businesses to expand investment and production and generate jobs.

“The target of GDP growth of at least 10% in 2027 requires each sector and locality to develop well-founded plans backed by a clear assessment of available resources and implementation capacity,” he said.

The top leader also touched upon the 2027 budget estimate, which, he said must be aligned with development targets and long-term fiscal sustainability.

He emphasied that all development plans must take into account employment, incomes and access to education, healthcare and essential services, particularly for people in disadvantaged areas. The gains from economic growth must create opportunities for every citizen to develop their potential and contribute to the country.

On inspection and oversight, he said leaders must visit the grassroots level to understand the work on the ground and the conditions for implementation. When results fall short, they must establish whether the causes lie in the decisions taken, resource allocation or the accountability of those responsible for execution.

Agencies responsible for policy implementation must proactively explain the policies, solicit feedback and address shortcomings, he said, adding the press should report results accurately, highlight successful approaches and identify obstacles requiring resolution, while challenging false and misleading information.

Source: VNA

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Central Vietnam province Lam Dong eyes 101-km electric rail network

Central Vietnam province Lam Dong eyes 101-km electric rail network

Authorities in Vietnam’s central province of Lam Dong have proposed building six urban electric rail lines spanning over 101 km to connect its famous tourist attraction Da Lat with Lien Khuong International Airport and other major destinations, as part of a long-term urban transport plan through 2050.

The proposal is included in the master plan for five Da Lat wards to 2050, which is under consultation, the provincial government said last week.

The proposed network would comprise six lines with a total length of 101.43 km, using either light rail or monorail technology. The routes would link central Da Lat with Lien Khuong airport and popular destinations such as Suoi Vang Lake, LangBiang Mountain, Tuyen Lam Lake, and the Valley of Love.

The line connecting Da Lat railway station with Lien Khuong airport in Duc Trong commune is prioritized for construction before 2030, providing an additional public transport option for passengers traveling between the airport and the downtown city. The other five lines are planned for development after 2030.

The proposed routes include an 18.5-km line from Da Lat station to Suoi Vang, an 8.55-km line from An Kroet junction to LangBiang, and a 15.78-km line linking Da Lat station with Tuyen Lam lake. Two other routes would connect Da Lat station with the Valley of Love and Tung Lam junction.

The plan also calls for restoring the 84-km Thap Cham-Da Lat railway, which uses a 1,000-mm track gauge, to support tourism and improve connections between Da Lat and the south central coast.

The proposed network is expected to ease pressure on roads, connect tourist destinations with urban gateways and help preserve Da Lat’s landscape, according to the planning consultant.

The master plan covers five wards: Xuan Huong-Da Lat, Cam Ly-Da Lat, Lam Vien-Da Lat, Xuan Truong-Da Lat, and Lang Biang-Da Lat, with a total area of 68,088 hectares.

Situated on a plateau around 1,500 meters above sea level, Da Lat enjoys year-round cool weather that stands in contrast to Vietnam's tropical climate. It used to be a summer hideout for French officials during the colonial time who built villas in the hills to escape the heat and humidity of the lowlands. Da Lat is also known as one of Vietnam’s biggest flower-growing regions.

On July 1, 2025, Lam Dong province was merged with Dak Nong and Binh Thuan provinces to form the new Lam Dong province which borders Dak Lak province, Dong Nai city, Khanh Hoa province, Ho Chi Minh City, Cambodia, and the East Sea.

In the first 10 months of this year, Lam Dong welcomed nearly 20.7 million tourist arrivals, including 1.2 million foreign visitors, generating VND57.51 trillion ($2.24 billion), according to the provincial tourism watchdog.


Consortia involving TotalEnergies, AG&P vie for $1.5 bln southern Vietnam LNG power plant

Consortia involving TotalEnergies, AG&P vie for $1.5 bln southern Vietnam LNG power plant

Three investor groups have registered to develop the VND39.87 trillion ($1.55 billion) Long Son LNG-fired power plant in Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting growing competition for opportunities in Vietnam’s gas-fired power sector.

The project will cover 42.56 hectares outside the Long Son Petrochemical Industrial Park in Long Son commune.

According to the bid-opening record, the three applicants are a consortium of T&T Group and France’s TotalEnergies Gaz & Electricite Holdings (T&T-TEGEH); a partnership between EVNGENCO3 and Singapore-based AG&P Terminals & Logistics (EVNGENCO3-AG&P LNG); and Ngoc Long Hai Son Group JSC.

The project is included in the revised eighth national power development plan (PDP VIII). It is designed to use combined-cycle gas turbine technology, with imported liquefied natural gas as its primary fuel.

LNG will be supplied through pipelines connecting the Cai Mep LNG terminal to the Long Son area and the planned Southeast Vietnam LNG terminal system. The plant is expected to connect to the 500-kV grid through a transmission line to the Bac Chau Duc 500-kV substation, with commercial operation targeted for June 2031.

It will be one of Vietnam's largest LNG power projects, playing a crucial role in ensuring energy security for the southern region and nationwide while supporting the energy transition through 2050.

Among the three applicants, the T&T-TEGEH consortium stands out for combining a Vietnamese private-sector investor with experience in energy development and an international partner with LNG expertise.

T&T Group is a Vietnamese conglomerate expanding its investments in the energy sector. Through its core energy unit, T&T Energy Group, it is developing power projects with a total capacity of around 2,900 MW, of which nearly 1,200 MW is already commercially operational.

In gas-fired power, T&T is working with South Korean partners to develop the first phase of the Hai Lang LNG power project in the central province of Quang Tri, with a capacity of 1,500 MW.

On September 10, 2026, T&T Energy Group and TotalEnergies Gas & Power Activities signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris to cooperate on the Long Son project.

Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will lead project financing and act as the primary LNG supplier at a competitive price. Meanwhile, T&T Energy will manage domestic regulatory approvals, government relations, and local administrative procedures.

TotalEnergies Gas & Power Activities is part of France-based TotalEnergies SE, a global integrated energy group. In Vietnam, TotalEnergies has supplied LNG to the Thi Vai terminal, which serves as a fuel source for the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants, Vietnam’s first LNG power facility.

Meanwhile, the EVNGENCO3-AG&P LNG consortium combines domestic power generation experience with expertise in gas infrastructure, logistics, and LNG supply chains.

EVNGENCO3, under state utility EVN, operates in power generation and has experience managing and operating large-scale power plants in Vietnam. It recently partnered with Thuan Hai Transport Services JSC to become the sole applicant for the VND7.1 trillion ($276.9 million) Ninh Binh flexible power plant project.

Its partner, AG&P Terminals & Logistics, operates in gas infrastructure and logistics, with a focus on LNG supply chains.

The competition among three applicants underscores investor interest in Vietnam’s LNG-fired power market. However, registration is only the initial stage of the investor selection process. The candidates’ financial and technical capabilities, as well as their ability to meet the project’s implementation requirements, will be assessed in subsequent stages.


Vietnam, US boost agricultural trade cooperation

Vietnam, US boost agricultural trade cooperation

Vietnam and the United States continue to strengthen balanced two-way trade, technology transfer, and investment in supply chain development.

Within the framework of trade commitments established for the 2025-2027 period, Vietnam has encouraged businesses to diligently implement purchasing agreements with US partners totaling approximately $3 billion.

The information was announced during a bilateral meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Dang Ngoc Diep and Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Stephen Vaden on November 10, coinciding with the largest US agricultural trade promotion delegation's visit to Vietnam.

Breakthroughs in agricultural trade

According to Mr. Diep, all agreements have been executed, significantly exceeding the committed value. In the latter half of 2025 alone, the total import turnover of products under signed memoranda of understanding reached approximately $2.1 billion. For the first nine months of 2026, the value of purchases amounted to approximately $2.8 billion, of which about $2.5 billion comprised committed items including milk and dairy products, livestock products, fruits and vegetables, corn, soybeans, animal feed, and raw timber.

In addition to promoting imports, Deputy Minister Diep requested the US to address certain market access issues for passion fruit and to promptly approve hot vapor treatment measures for fresh fruit exports to the US.

Acknowledging the significant growth aimed at balancing bilateral trade, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden noted that amidst negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement, the US had proposed Vietnam increase its annual import turnover of goods by an additional $1 billion. In reality, after only 10 months of 2026, Vietnam had already imported approximately $3.6 billion, not including about $1.4 billion in cotton imports.

Mr. Vaden also praised the agricultural trade relationship between the two countries, stating that agricultural products from both Vietnam and the US are favored by consumers in each nation.

The delegation includes a large number of producers of specialty agricultural products, fruits, and vegetables, with many businesses from California, he said, adding that the presence of these businesses demonstrates the US's desire to expand market access opportunities in Vietnam and to foster a more substantive trade relationship.

Promoting cooperation in biotechnology and food safety

During the meeting, both sides also discussed enhancing scientific and technological cooperation.

"This could become a new pillar," Mr. Diep said. "Vietnam wishes to promote cooperation with the US in areas such as crop varieties, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, big data, precision agriculture, and digital transformation."

Specifically, the Deputy Minister proposed that both sides research and implement cooperation programs and technology transfer for disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and salt-tolerant crop varieties, suitable for climate change adaptation.

In response to this proposal, Deputy Secretary Vaden affirmed the US's readiness to cooperate in providing Vietnam access to biotechnology. He commended Vietnam's interest in applying scientific principles in agricultural management and production, and welcomed the initiative to facilitate US companies in bringing research and development (R&D) activities to Vietnam.

He also expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to collaborate with the US in promoting a science-based approach to biotechnology, thereby expanding the application of modern agricultural technologies.

Regarding food safety, Mr. Vaden highlighted similarities in the work programs of both ministries, particularly concerning Salmonella control and DNA residue testing requirements for imported products. The US expressed its desire to continue discussions with Vietnam on regulations related to Salmonella and DNA residue testing, aiming to reduce instances of rejected shipments while ensuring state management responsibilities for food safety.

Currently, the USDA is developing a new framework for Salmonella risk assessment thresholds, aiming to balance consumer health protection requirements with trade facilitation.

The US wishes to coordinate with Vietnamese specialized agencies to discuss and review technical requirements, avoiding unnecessary disruptions in the flow of goods, said Mr. Vaden, stressing that ensuring that Vietnamese and US consumers have access to safe food, while management regulations do not become unnecessary barriers to trade.


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