Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies. – VNA/VNS Photo

JAKARTA – Việt Nam's achievements over 40 years of Đổi Mới (Renewal), particularly the strong results of the past five years, have underscored the sound development path and effective governance of the Communist Party of Việt Nam amid profound regional and global changes, according to Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, Anjaiah said the congress holds special significance as Việt Nam stands on the threshold of a new development phase.

Against the backdrop of intensifying competition among major powers, rising global risks and a resurgence of protectionism, Việt Nam’s ability to maintain political stability, achieve high economic growth and deepen international integration stands out as a notable success among developing countries.

Reviewing the four decades of Đổi mới, the CSEAS researcher noted that Việt Nam has successfully transitioned from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy while integrating ever more deeply into the global system.

Việt Nam's example shows that gradual reforms, political stability and long-term vision can generate sustainable and inclusive growth, he said.

Anjaiah expressed particular admiration for the country's socio-economic performance during the Party's 13th tenure. Average economic growth of 6.3 per cent per year, along with an estimated 8.02 per cent expansion in 2025, has placed Việt Nam among the world’s most dynamic economies. GDP has exceeded US$514 billion while per capita income approached $5,000, reflecting marked improvements in people's living standards.

Other impressive indicators, including total foreign trade turnover of around $930 billion and a strong tourism recovery with over 21.5 million international arrivals in 2025, further highlight Việt Nam’s growing appeal within regional supply chains and investment flows.

Beyond economic growth, the country has made notable strides in human development and social security, he observed. Poverty has been reduced to about 1.3 per cent, health insurance coverage reached roughly 95 per cent of the population and the Human Development Index has risen to 0.766, clearly demonstrating a people-centred development approach.

These achievements, he said, stem from the consistent leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, the spirit of self-reliance and resilience, and strong national solidarity, laying a solid foundation for the country’s strategic development goals towards 2030.

As for external relations, Anjaiah noted that Việt Nam is increasingly regarded by the international community as a stable, reliable and responsible partner, steadfast in the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development. Its national standing has been further enhanced through a policy of multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, as well as its proactive engagement in global mechanisms.

He also commended Việt Nam’s flexible yet principled diplomacy, which enables it to maintain balanced relations with major powers while reinforcing its role as a stable and reliable regional partner. Việt Nam's network of strategic and comprehensive strategic partnerships has contributed to elevating its international profile amid intensifying geopolitical competition.

Anjaiah voiced confidence that the 14th National Party Congress will continue to set good strategic directions, helping Việt Nam seize new opportunities, overcome challenges and realise its goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045.

“What Việt Nam has achieved over the past four decades provides a solid basis for confidence as it enters a new era of development,” he concluded. – VNA/VNS