Opening the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that it is critically important to identify ways to achieve GDP growth of over 10% throughout the 2026-2031 term and in the years that follow. National development remains the overarching, consistent mission. Defining the right development model and generating strong economic momentum are central, core issues. The urgent priorities now are to prevent economic crises and avert conflict and war. Addressing these two threats will lay the foundation for success in both current and future development efforts.

Earlier, at a working session on March 2, 2026, with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, To Lam underscored that double-digit growth is not merely about speed but also about quality, sustainability, inclusiveness, and economic self-reliance.

The overarching message, he emphasized, is that double-digit growth is not only an economic target but a strategic choice of historic significance. It requires the entire political system and society to act with the highest determination, the strongest resolve, and the greatest sense of responsibility.

He also called for substantive and forceful reforms in implementation, shifting from getting policies right to ensuring effective outcomes in action, enhancing accountability of leaders, managing by results, and addressing inertia, avoidance, and fear of responsibility. This, he noted, is the decisive factor in turning the political will for double-digit growth into tangible results.

Staying the Course Amid Volatility

Recent fluctuations in global oil prices stemming from tensions in the Middle East underscore the importance of strategic self-reliance in general, and the double-digit growth target in particular, as set out in the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress.

The world is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, marked by intensifying strategic competition, rising protectionism, climate change, and rapid digital transformation. These factors present both challenges and new opportunities.

In recent years, the economy has achieved significant milestones: macroeconomic stability has been maintained, inflation kept under control, trade has repeatedly set new records, and foreign investment inflows have remained strong. However, growth has yet to reach a breakthrough level sufficient to fundamentally transform development quality. This calls for a more substantial and forceful shift.

In this context, maintaining the double-digit growth target means both holding firm to strategic direction and remaining flexible in policy management. Such steadfastness entails a commitment to development driven by science and technology, innovation, and industrialization and modernization; to institutional reform and improvements in the business environment; and to deep global integration while safeguarding economic independence and self-reliance.

Drivers of double-digit growth

Double-digit growth is not a one-year or one-term endeavor but a long-term objective that requires persistence and consistency. Along the way, there will be difficult periods, including unprecedented challenges. What matters is staying the course without wavering or losing direction.

A key foundation for achieving this goal is maintaining macroeconomic stability, enhancing economic resilience, and ensuring strategic autonomy. At the same time, traditional growth drivers must be revitalized, while new drivers are created and effectively leveraged to sustain rapid and sustainable growth in both the short and long term.

To realize this objective, a comprehensive system of solutions is needed, with several decisive pillars.

Institutional reform stands out as the most critical pillar, focusing on building a synchronized, modern, and competitive institutional framework to unlock growth breakthroughs. A transparent, stable, and business-friendly system will act as a powerful lever to unleash all societal resources. Streamlining administrative procedures, reducing informal costs, and safeguarding property and business rights are among the fastest ways to generate growth.

The transition to a new growth model must be accelerated, with science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the central drivers. Growth should shift from extensive to intensive, from broad-based to targeted, from external dependence to stronger internal capacity and strategic autonomy, and from purely quantitative expansion to sustainable and inclusive development.

Growth must go hand in hand with macroeconomic stability, inflation control, and balanced major economic indicators. Supply chains and capital channels should be diversified and unblocked. At the same time, the private sector should be developed into a key engine of the economy. As private enterprises grow stronger and integrate more deeply into global value chains, the economy will gain additional momentum.

Investment in strategic infrastructure, particularly in transport, energy, and digital systems, is also essential. This forms the foundation for reducing logistics costs, enhancing competitiveness, and attracting investment.

Ultimately, growth must be aligned with quality, efficiency, and sustainability. Economic development should be closely linked to environmental protection, efficient resource use, and improved living standards. These are the ultimate measures of success.

Decisive and coordinated action

Ambitious goals demand bold action. Identifying the right objectives is only the first step; what matters is implementing them decisively, cohesively, and effectively. From the central level to localities, and across both public and private sectors, there must be strong alignment in both awareness and action.

Each level and sector must translate the growth target into clear, focused programs and action plans. Transparent monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are also essential to ensure that policies are implemented substantively rather than superficially.

More than ever, there is a need for unity in thinking, vision, aspiration, and action, alongside renewed governance in implementation to achieve double-digit growth.

Party committees, organizations, leaders, officials, and members must fully recognize the strategic importance and urgency of this objective, treating it as a central political task. It should be concretized in annual work programs with measurable outputs. Performance must be evaluated based on results, with underperforming, irresponsible, or evasive officials promptly replaced. At the same time, those who are proactive, innovative, and accountable for the common good should be recognized, promoted, and entrusted with greater responsibility. Close and synchronized coordination among central and local authorities, businesses, and citizens is essential.

Efforts should also be intensified to communicate, mobilize, and lead by example in order to strengthen confidence and development aspirations among businesses, citizens, and society at large.

Persisting with the goal of double-digit growth means maintaining confidence in the chosen path while continuously innovating to adapt to new circumstances. With strong enough ambition, firm determination, and decisive action, this goal can become reality.

This is not only a story of economic growth but also of a nation rising powerfully in a new era.

Amid global economic volatility, steadfastly pursuing double-digit growth is not merely a policy choice, it is a reflection of Vietnam’s resolve, vision, and aspiration for development on a journey that demands persistence, consistency, and coherence in both strategic thinking and practical action.