AdvertisementVietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam speaks during the 14th National Party Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Jan 20, 2026. (Photo: VNA via Reuters)20 Jan 2026 10:50AM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInRead a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST HANOI: Vietnam's top leader To Lam pledged annual economic growth of more than 10 per cent for the remainder of the decade despite global disruptions, as he addressed delegates at the Communist Party congress on Tuesday (Jan 20).The week-long event, which started on Monday in Hanoi, will select the party chief, the country's most powerful position, and set economic goals up to 2030.The congress is taking place amid "many overlapping difficulties and challenges, from natural disasters, storms and floods to epidemics, security risks, fierce strategic competition, and major disruptions in energy and food supply chain", Lam told delegates at the start of his speech.The former head of state security, who is seeking to retain his role as party chief and possibly take on the state presidency, promised to further reform the public administration after he launched the bureaucracy's most significant overhaul in decades during his brief tenure as party chief.A party document submitted to the congress and reviewed by Reuters set the annual growth goal at no less than 10 per cent until 2030, above a missed target of 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent for the first half of the decade.Vietnam PM seeks new trade deals to counter US tariff impactIN FOCUS: As US closes tariff escape route via Southeast Asia, what’s next for region’s firms, workers?LESS RED TAPE, MORE INFRASTRUCTURELam, 68, said Vietnam was also determined to cut red tape and expand global trade to ensure the country's independence and national interests were protected.The 20 per cent tariffs imposed on Vietnam in August by US President Donald Trump's administration have not prevented Vietnamese exports to the US from growing, leading to a record trade surplus with Washington.However, the country is seeking to boost trade ties with other partners, with the impact of US duties likely to be felt over the coming months.Lam promised to continue the fight against corruption, although the anti-bribe drive launched by his late predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong abated during his tenure, as Lam sought to speed up project approvals to boost growth."Infrastructure must be developed to adapt to climate change and ensure strong regional, inter-regional, and global connectivity," Lam also said.He has presided over a splurge in infrastructure projects, which has supported economic growth, but has also raised concerns about favouritism and waste. Source: Reuters/rlNewsletterMorning BriefSubscribe to CNA’s Morning BriefAn automated curation of our top stories to start your day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...