NEW YORK — The Vietnamese community and US scholars in New York have expressed their belief that the 13th National Party Congress will determine targets and plans for Việt Nam’s future development.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in New York, a representative from the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS), a democratic socialist group in the US, said the congress has an ambitious and inspiring agenda as it will sketch out the development orientations for the country in the next five years and beyond.

It extended a message of solidarity to the Party, Government and people of Việt Nam, and pledged to continue to join the struggle to request the US government to compensate for Agent Orange/dioxin disasters it caused during the war in Việt Nam.

Meanwhile, Max Elbaum, a co-ordinator from non-profitable organisation Organising Upgrade, wished the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam a great success.

Leanna Noble and Hollis Stewart, two US friends of Việt Nam who joined anti-war protests in the 1960s and 1970s and used to work as lecturers at Tôn Đức Thắng University in HCM City between 2013-2016, said they have witnessed Việt Nam’s efforts in economic development, giving more opportunities for women and people from ethnic minority groups, and ensuring justice in the workplace. They showed their delight at Việt Nam’s success in COVID-19 control.

At the same time, Cathy Dang, an overseas Vietnamese, said that she was impressed by Việt Nam’s work in national reconstruction and development as well as the country’s observation of human rights after the end of the war. — VNS