The Congress, scheduled for mid-January, will see over 800 delegates gather to decide on the country's economic and political trajectory for the next five years. With 123 women among the delegates, there is a growing focus on diversifying the leadership ranks, though the core power structure remains strictly controlled.

Key topics on the agenda include the modernization of Vietnam’s industrial sector and navigating the delicate balance between Chinese and Western economic influences. The leadership is expected to double down on "bamboo diplomacy," maintaining flexibility in international relations while strengthening domestic manufacturing.

Outside the halls of power, the public is watching for signs of continued anti-corruption drives. The outcome of this Congress will determine who succeeds the current aging leadership, making it one of the most consequential political shifts in Southeast Asia this year.