The External Relations Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam met with foreign ambassadors and chief representatives from international organisations in Vietnam on April 12 to brief them about the 10^th National Party Congress agenda.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan spoke of the preparation process for the Party Congress, contents and orientations to be discussed at the congress.

The congress, scheduled to take place from April 18-25 with the participation of nearly 1,200 delegates, will review the implementation of the 9^th Party Congress’ resolutions, socio-economic development tasks in the 2001-2005 period and strategy for socio-economic development from 2005 to 2010. It aims to devise tasks and orientations for national development in 2006-2010 as well as Party building and rectification and election of the Party leadership for the 10^th tenure, Mr Khoan said.

The congress is titled "Increasing Party leadership capacity and combative strength, bringing the whole nation to strength, boosting the national renewal process and removing the country’s under developed status."

The 9^th Party Central Committee will submit targets and orientations for national development till 2010 to the Congress for consideration, Mr Khoan further said.

The orientations will focus on making full use of all resources, promoting the national industrialisation and modernisation process, developing culture, boosting social progress and equality, strengthening national security and defense, expanding external relations, actively pushing up international economic integration, maintaining political stability, and providing a solid foundation for Vietnam to become a modern and industrialized nation by 2020, Mr Khoan stressed.

The deputy Prime Minister also answered several questions raised by foreign diplomats about the 10^th Party Congress.