The point was emphasised by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam at a meeting with the Central Policy and Strategy Commission and relevant agencies on a proposal to develop new regulations on Party members engaged in private business, held at the Party Central Committee headquarters on September 14.

After hearing a report on the progress and results of the proposal and opinions from participants, the top leader stressed that the policy allowing Party members to engage in private business is the result of the Party’s process of renewing its thinking, reviewing practical experience and developing its theoretical understanding.

The new regulations should preserve principles that remain valid while addressing emerging issues related to ownership, production organisation, distribution and the responsibilities of Party members in a socialist-oriented market economy.

He requested that the regulations affirm Party members’ right to engage in lawful economic activities in accordance with their legal status, duties and specific obligations. Party membership entails a higher level of exemplary responsibility, but should not create business privileges.

All support policies must be based on transparent and equal criteria, ensuring that businesses are not discriminated against because their owners are or are not Party members.

The drafting of the new regulations should also consider the origins of assets, business organisation, treatment of workers and the use of the results of development.

Financial contributions cannot substitute for compliance with the law and Party discipline. At the same time, Party members with the necessary capabilities should be encouraged to take the lead in technological innovation, improving productivity, building Vietnamese brands and developing businesses sustainably.

The leader requested a clear assessment of the current situation and an accurate definition of the scope of the new regulations. The review report should provide greater analysis of the causes of existing issues and the practical effectiveness of current policies and regulations.

Regulations should be concise and clearly define principles, subjects, limits, responsibilities and authority. Provisions that directly determine what is permitted and prohibited must be clearly specified, he said.

Rights and limits should be differentiated among various groups of Party members, including those outside the state sector; incumbent cadres and civil servants; public employees; Party members in the Vietnam People’s Army and People’s Public Security forces; leaders of State-owned enterprises and representatives of State capital; as well as those who have left office, retired or ceased working.

At the same time, the new regulations should ensure substantive control of conflicts of interest while protecting lawful economic activities.

Linking private-sector business with Party building

On Party building and responsibilities towards workers, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed that the new regulations be linked to the implementation of Directive No. 12-CT/TW, issued by the Party Central Committee Secretariat on August 19, 2026, on renewing and improving the quality of Party building in the private economic sector.

Party membership development should focus on outstanding entrepreneurs, skilled workers, engineers, scientists and other exemplary workers. Attention should be paid to their motivation, qualities, reputation and process of self-improvement, rather than pursuing numerical targets or using their ability to provide financial support as a basis for admission.

Party organisations should promote their role as political nuclei, educate and supervise Party members, and contribute to building progressive labour relations.

The assessment of Party members engaged in private business should take into account productivity, innovation, fulfilment of tax obligations, wages, social insurance, occupational safety and environmental protection.

Social responsibility must begin with fully meeting obligations towards workers, rather than using sponsorships or charitable activities to compensate for failures to meet those obligations.

Completing the regulatory framework

The top leader assigned the Central Policy and Strategy Commission to lead the incorporation of relevant opinions and completion of the proposal, in coordination with the Central Organisation Commission, the Central Inspection Commission and relevant agencies to clarify the classification of Party members, personnel mechanisms, control and supervision mechanisms, and responsibilities for handling violations.

The Government Party Committee was tasked with leading a review of relevant laws, proposing a roadmap for institutionalisation and coordinating with the National Assembly Party Committee on matters under the legislature’s authority.

He stressed that the new regulations on Party members engaged in private business must help them contribute with confidence and conduct business in compliance with the law. They should also help Party organisations manage their members effectively, strengthen public and business confidence in the fairness and integrity of the apparatus, and mobilise resources for development, thereby contributing to a cleaner and stronger Party with closer ties to the people.