• To Lam pledges Vietnam's economic growth above 10% by 2030.
• The Communist Party congress addresses various national challenges.
• Lam emphasizes the need to cut red tape and expand global trade.
• The leader also vows to continue the fight against corruption.
• Infrastructure development is prioritized to address climate change.

Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, has pledged an ambitious goal of over 10% annual economic growth for the remainder of the decade despite ongoing global challenges. This promise was made during a recent address at the Communist Party congress in Hanoi, which convenes every five years to select the country's leadership and lay out key economic objectives up to 2030. Lam cited many "overlapping difficulties" such as natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, and security risks facing Vietnam during his speech to approximately 1,600 delegates, indicating a challenging environment for achieving these growth targets, according to Reuters and Bangkok Post.

In his address, Lam reiterated the necessity for administrative reform, highlighting efforts to reduce bureaucracy and enhance global trade partnerships to secure Vietnam's national interests. Notably, a party document he referenced set the economic growth objective at no less than 10% until 2030, surpassing earlier targets missed in the beginning of the decade. Despite the challenges posed by U.S. tariffs, which rose to 20% in August, Lam noted that Vietnamese exports to the United States had continued to flourish, resulting in a record trade surplus, according to Al Jazeera and Bangkok Post.

Alongside economic growth initiatives, Lam emphasized the importance of continuing the anti-corruption drive, which is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring effective governance. He stated, “All wrongdoings must be dealt with,” and urged for measures to combat wastefulness in both government practices and economic activities. Notably, Lam's tenure has seen the elimination of numerous state positions and overhauls in governmental structure, which are viewed by some as risky yet necessary, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Lam also addressed vital infrastructure development which must adapt to climate change needs and bolster logistical capabilities both regionally and globally. His administration is pushing forward ambitious plans for new rail links and a nationwide high-speed train network costing nearly $70 billion. Further, significant investments are being made in airports and urban connectivity solutions to enhance Vietnam’s infrastructure, despite concerns over favoritism and potential waste in project execution, according to Bangkok Post and Reuters.