Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said the 10th congress would mark a turning point in the evolution of the Party's policies and leadership to meet the demands of the new scenario.

On behalf of the outgoing Party Central Committee, Manh read its report on the documents to be discussed at the 10^th congress.

The report reviews implementation of the resolutions adopted at the last Party Congress in 2001, and the socio-economic tasks they set out for the past five years.

Following are excerpts from the report:

In 2001-05 Vietnam achieved an average economic growth rate of 7.5 percent and witnessed sociocultural progress, socio-political stability, and developments in external relations.

The country has made great headway in ushering in the rule of law, strengthening national unity, and reorganizing the Party.

However, the country’s economic growth has not matched its potential, the competitiveness of the economy is still weak, and economic restructure has moved at a snail’s pace.

In addition, the country is yet to replace outdated social and cultural policies, solve urgent social problems, and overcome shortcomings with regard to defense, security, and external relations.

The Party’s slowness in renewing its thinking in some areas, and failure to direct building of institutions for a socialism-oriented market economy, development of human resources, and reform of the political system are to blame for the shortcomings.

Several officials and party members holding high positions lacked capability, responsibility, and moral fiber and so could not fulfill their tasks.

2006-10 development strategy

The country’s major targets in the next five years are to enhance party leadership, mobilize internal strengths, promote reform, and mobilize all human and financial resources for modernization and industrialization.

Moreover, the country will continue to develop culture, implement social justice, strengthen national defense and security, expand external relations, and maintain socio-political stability.

By 2010 Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) is set to be 2.1 times that of 2000 with an annual average growth of 7.5-8 percent.

The country seeks to provide jobs to more than 8 million people, and reduce unemployment in urban areas to under 5 percent and poverty to 10-11 percent.

In the next five years the Party will improve state administration, developing the commodity, services, labor, finance, property, and science and technology markets.

Priority will also be given to developing all sectors of the economy (state-owned, private, and foreign-invested) and all forms of production and trading.

The strategy also includes industrializing and modernizing agriculture and rural areas, and shifting the labor structure in the countryside to increase the proportion of workers in services and industry.

Moreover, the country will encourage the development of hi-tech and software industries, boost exports and the production of consumer goods, develop open economic zones and economic special zones, and accelerate the growth of the services sector.

Better society

Besides developing the economy, the Party seeks to address social, cultural, educational, and science and technology issues.

It will encourage the people to earn wealth legally, and will focus on perfecting the social and welfare system, and reforming education and training.

The Party will also focus on welfare policies for workers, farmers, intellectuals, businesspeople, youths, women, war veterans, elderly people, and overseas Vietnamese, and will unswervingly adhere to its policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of religious beliefs.

The country will seek to benefit from the opportunities and cope with the challenges and risks when it becomes a member of the World Trade Organization.

Crack down corruption

The country will continue to strengthen the activities of the National Assembly, government, and judiciary, and promote administrative and judicial reforms.

Among the top priorities is to prevent and root out corruption and waste. Corrupt officials will face more stringent punishment and their assets will be seized by the state.

In addition, there will be a focus on encouraging people to report corruption and protecting people who fight corruption and other negative phenomena.

Strengthening the Party leadership is also essential. The Congress will discuss building and restructuring the party to enhance its capacity and strength; making it transparent and strong in political, ideological, and organizational terms; and bringing it closer to the people.

The Congress will also consider supplementing and amending Party statutes and electing the 10th Party Central Committee (2006-2010).

Source: Thanhnien.Online