Nguyen Hai Nam (far right) attends the second Congress of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe. Photo: VNA  

 The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is expected to chart major strategic orientations with lasting impact on the country’s development in the new period.

Nguyen Hai Nam, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in France (Abfrance), described the Congress as a political event of special significance, not only to the 2026–2031 term but also to Vietnam’s long-term development trajectory. Beyond setting strategic directions, it will elect the Party Central Committee and its Politburo and Secretariat, as well as the highest leadership positions. These are foundational decisions that have a direct impact on Vietnam’s development trajectory for many years to come.

The significance of the 14th National Congress is further underscored as it takes place in a particularly historic context - marking 40 years of the Doi moi (Renewal) process (1986–2026), shortly after the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945–2025) and the 50th anniversary of national reunification (April 30, 1975–2025).

In this context, Nam expressed his expectation that the Congress will continue to reaffirm and clarify major strategic orientations, with a focus on achieving rapid yet sustainable economic development based on innovation, science and technology, and the knowledge economy, while further advancing institutional improvement, administrative reform, and the building of a modern rule-of-law state.

Notably, he emphasised the importance of strongly mobilising social resources, including those of overseas Vietnamese, who are regarded as an inseparable part of the nation.

From the perspective of a Vietnamese national who has lived and worked in France for many years, the Chairman of Abfrance noted that the recent elevation of Vietnam–France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has created favorable conditions for promoting bilateral cooperation across a wide range of fields. In this spirit, he expressed his expectation that the Congress will continue to expand and further specify policies aimed at attracting overseas Vietnamese, particularly the Vietnamese community in France—one of the largest and longest-established communities in Europe, numbering around 350,000 people and exceeding 600,000 when including French citizens of Vietnamese origin.

From a business perspective, Nam emphasised that policy stability, an improved investment environment, and deeper international economic integration are key factors in building confidence among both domestic and foreign business communities. Alongside the achievements made in attracting foreign direct investment, he argued that the 14th National Congress should also pay greater attention to policies that support Vietnamese enterprises and entrepreneurs in investing abroad.

Addressing the need for institutional reform, private-sector development, and the attraction of high-quality investment, he argued that Vietnam needs to be more proactive in identifying and engaging high-caliber human resources through overseas Vietnamese networks comprising individuals with deep expertise, extensive professional experience, and established social standing in their host countries.

In his view, practical experience shows that Vietnam has a particularly strong demand for technical specialists, client-facing professionals, project managers, and individuals with soft skills and international experience - often more urgently than for purely academic scholars or traditional researchers.

Looking ahead to the period following the 14th National Congress, Nam observed that the resource potential of the Vietnamese-origin community in France is substantial, especially if the approach is broadened to include French citizens of Vietnamese descent at varying degrees. He stressed the need to shift from a passive, wait-and-see mindset to a more proactive engagement strategy; to build streamlined and effective international networks that prioritise depth over sheer numbers; and to avoid spreading resources too thinly across numerous associations, particularly at a time when social media already provides strong connectivity support.

He further said that the scope of overseas Vietnamese contributions should not be confined solely to economic or science-and-technology fields, but should be expanded to include culture, the arts, handicrafts, sports, tourism, cuisine, education, vocational training, as well as media and journalism. One particularly groundbreaking proposal he highlighted is to invite capable overseas Vietnamese to work under contract within state agencies and public institutions, and, in the longer term, to potentially serve as full-time National Assembly deputies representing overseas Vietnamese./.