International community affirms 12th National Party Congress ended with success, continuing to create political stability and economic development in Vietnam

* In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Laos, Head of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Sounthone Xayachack praised the preparation and organisation of the 12th National Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, saying that the special relations between Laos and Vietnam would continue with broad-based development in the future, to serve the interests of the two peoples.

* General Secretary of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Saykong Sayasin highly valued the achievements from the 30-year Doi Moi (renovation) process led by the Communist Party of Vietnam. He said that each time he visits Vietnam he can clearly see rapid changes in many areas, with people's lives constantly being improved. He emphasised that the two brother Parties of Laos and Vietnam have successfully held their Party Congresses, electing new Central Party Committees and Politburos with clear support. He also expressed his confidence in the sustained and steady development of the special relationship and solidarity between the two countries in the coming years.

* The Vietnamese community in Laos was also encouraged by the success of the 12th Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. They expressed their belief that under the leadership of the Party, Vietnam would continue to grow. They hoped the Party and State would continue to develop support policies and incentives for Overseas Vietnamese.

* Talking to Nhan Dan newspaper correspondents in China, Professor Gu Yuanyang, an honorary academician at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, warmly congratulated the 12th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam on fulfilling its set objectives. He stated that the congress is a significant event for the Communist Party of Vietnam and all Vietnamese people, gaining the attention of communist parties and its sister parties in many countries.

According to Professor Gu, the congress has achieved remarkable results, which confirm the Communist Party of Vietnam continues to uphold Marxism, Leninism, and Ho Chi Minh Thought, as well as the consistent path to socialism - the path selected by President Ho Chi Minh. The congress has comprehensively reviewed 30 years of Doi Moi, both in terms of achievements, and problems and solutions. The congress elected the new collective leadership of the Party. The collective is rejuvenated and energetic, and still includes experienced comrades. After the congress, domestic and foreign policies of the Communist Party of Vietnam would maintain their continuity, he said.

Looking back on 30 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has seen many socio-economic achievements, which have been recognised by international community. The first is the achievement in innovative thinking. Reforms in theory have helped promote economic development, the most important of which is the socialist-oriented market economy. Innovation from awareness has led to action. After 30 years, Vietnam has recorded rapid economic growth. The fields of agriculture and industry have also seen outstanding achievements. Vietnam is now classified as an emerging market economy. Last year, its economic growth rate reached over 6% - a high in Southeast Asia. Amidst regional and global economic difficulties, achieving such results was not easy. The fundamental cause for the achievements mentioned above is the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the Doi Moi process. With such visible socio-economic results, the Party's leadership role is undeniable.

The congress has set the objectives for the nation’s development in the next five years, showing a strong upward but also realistic spirit. More importantly, the congress raised a series of specific policy tasks, including innovating the growth model and restructuring the economy. Professor Gu expressed his belief that in the next five years, through sustaining the policies above, Vietnam’s external activities would see new developments. After the congress, Vietnam will continue the Doi Moi process and the position of Vietnam in the international arena will increase.

* Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) Gennady Zyuganov lauded the success of the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He told reporters from the Vietnam News Agency in Russia that in recent years the Communist Party of Vietnam has made great achievements in leading the nation’s socio-economic activities. The Party has striven to improve the life of every Vietnamese worker and citizen. He said that the Russian communists have paid great attention to the congress and expressed their hope that the Communist Party of Vietnam would continue to see more successes in socio-economic development.

He affirmed that Vietnam is a strategic partner and a friend of the Russian Federation, adding that the KPRF would make its utmost efforts to boost the Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

* Major newspapers in the US agreed that the transfer of leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam again showed political stability in the Southeast Asian country. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s re-election meant that Vietnam’s economic development orientations would be seamless.

An article in the New York Times quoted Frederick Burke from American law firm Baker & McKenzie as saying that the leadership transition at the congress was encouraging because it highlighted the country’s political stability and respect for the rule of law. He said that for Vietnamese people, it was what they wanted. The article also cited Sami Kteily, an executive chairman of PEB Steel construction company in Ho Chi Minh City, saying that the country’s membership in several recent trade agreements underlined its commitment to being an active member of the global economy.

* The Wall Street Journal also ran an article saying that the re-election of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shows that Vietnam would continue opening its economy towards international integration.

USA Today highlighted the stable and positive development in Vietnam as the Communist Party of Vietnam conducts a leadership transfer. Vietnam recorded positive economic growth of 6.68% in 2015 - the best performance in the last five years, as foreign investment reached an all-time high of US$14.5 billion.

* Bloomberg News said that the 12th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam was a chance for participants to choose a new generation of leaders. Vietnam's leaders share a common goal of quickly taking advantage of opportunities and favourable conditions to develop the country. According to the online paper, with a promising growing market, Vietnam is one of the top choices for foreign businesses. In 2015, foreign direct investment to Vietnam grew more than 17% over 2014, to a record high of nearly US$15 billion. As a country of 90 million people and with 60% of them at less than 35 years old, Vietnam is considered a dynamic market with low costs for labour and land lease./.