A guard stands next to a poster for the 13th National Party Congress. (Photo: VNA)

The German daily newspaper Junge Welt (Young World) on Monday reported that the 9-day Congress has begun to set out future policies with a focus on renewal and targets for further developing Vietnam. The most important agenda items will be a report by the Party Central Committee and discussion of Vietnam’s socio-economic development direction in the medium and long term, according to Young World.

German newspaper Neues Deutschland (New Germany) on Sunday noted that the Congress will take place with Vietnam’s COVID-19 epidemic well under control. As of Sunday, only 35 COVID deaths have been recorded in Vietnam, barely affecting Vietnam’s economy, which achieved a growth rate of 2.9% last year.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung, (South Germany or SZ), Germany's largest broadsheet newspaper, also noted that Vietnam was one of very few countries that achieved positive growth last year despite the pandemic. SZ said Vietnam’s success in controlling COVID-19 has been recognized internationally, enabling Vietnam's economy to recover earlier than other economies.

Some German research institutes and media organizations DW and FAZ praised Vietnam’s COVID-19 and economic achievements, noting that Vietnam is becoming more important to the global economy, international supply chains, and foreign relations. 

Preparations for Vietnam’s 13th National Party Congress. (Photo: Reuters)

The UK’s Reuters reported that Vietnam’s 13^th National Party Congress will outline policies for the next five years and elect new leaders. It said that in 2020 Vietnam was one of Asia's fastest growing economies and successfully controlled COVID-19 through strict quarantine, testing, and contact tracing.