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Vietnam set to pick new leaders as congress begins Vietnam set to pick new leaders as congress begins
(35 minutes later)
Vietnam's Communist Party delegates are meeting in Hanoi to begin the process of choosing a new set of leaders.Vietnam's Communist Party delegates are meeting in Hanoi to begin the process of choosing a new set of leaders.
The congress, which happens once every five years in the one-party state, will run for eight days.The congress, which happens once every five years in the one-party state, will run for eight days.
Behind closed doors, the 1,500 members will nominate the next president, the prime minister, and most importantly, the party's general secretary. Behind closed doors, the 1,510 members will nominate the next president, the prime minister, and most importantly, the party's general secretary.
Who wins could determine Vietnam's relations with key partners including the US and China.Who wins could determine Vietnam's relations with key partners including the US and China.
Media, which is closely controlled in Vietnam, are not allowed to cover the congress except for the opening ceremony.Media, which is closely controlled in Vietnam, are not allowed to cover the congress except for the opening ceremony.
On Thursday, top leaders gave brief speeches emphasising the need to build Vietnam's economic prosperity, and also reviewed the leadership of the central committee, reported newspaper Viet Nam News. On Thursday, top leaders gave brief speeches emphasising the need to build Vietnam's economic prosperity, and also reviewed the leadership of the central committee, reported Viet Nam News.
'Ominous' turtle death on the eve of congress - Nga Pham, BBC News Nga Pham, BBC Vietnamese: 'Rumours and speculation'
Vietnam is mourning an ancient turtle whose death has shocked the country. As most important meetings of the top echelon of the party are conducted behind closed doors and little information is ever made public, it is inevitable that rumours spread widely ahead of any congress.
Thought to be one of only four living Yangtze giant softshell turtles, Cu Rua was found floating in the Hanoi lake where it lived. Cause of death is unclear. But Vietnam has never seen the level of speculation circulating this time. Right up to the opening day of the congress there are still divided opinions about who is going to become the party's general secretary on 28 January.
To many of Hanoi's residents, Cu Rua was more than a charming local character - its appearances at the same time as some of the country's biggest events, such as Hanoi's 1,000-year anniversary, were seen as auspicious - while ailments were seen as ominous signs. Party officials themselves admitted that at the last three-day meeting of the powerful central committee before the congress, participants had to hold a staggering 13 rounds of voting to come up with a list of nominees.
The issue of Cu Rua's death was so delicate that state censors briefly tried to prevent the news from being reported. But whoever is elected, the delegates currently meeting in Hanoi's My Dinh National Convention Centre are determined to make sure that the country will continue to tread the "Socialist path", with the Communist Party secure in its rule over the nation of 94 million people.
"To cheerfully welcome the party congress, newspapers and media please do not report on the turtle's death for now," the party's propaganda department instructed. Death of a turtle: an ominous sign for Vietnam?
Hanoi's grief over the death of a legend
The competition for the general secretary job pits current Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, seen as modern and friendly towards the US, against party stalwart and incumbent, Nguyen Phu Trong.The competition for the general secretary job pits current Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, seen as modern and friendly towards the US, against party stalwart and incumbent, Nguyen Phu Trong.
Mr Dung has gained popularity domestically with strong anti-China rhetoric when it comes to disputed territory in the South China Sea.Mr Dung has gained popularity domestically with strong anti-China rhetoric when it comes to disputed territory in the South China Sea.
Mr Trong is seen to be more friendly towards China - Vietnam's largest trading partner.Mr Trong is seen to be more friendly towards China - Vietnam's largest trading partner.
The congress takes place amid resurgent tension with China. On Tuesday, Vietnam said it had demanded China remove a controversial oil rig parked in waters claimed by both countries.The congress takes place amid resurgent tension with China. On Tuesday, Vietnam said it had demanded China remove a controversial oil rig parked in waters claimed by both countries.
In 2014, Beijing moved the same rig into contested waters, sparking violent anti-Chinese protests in Vietnam.In 2014, Beijing moved the same rig into contested waters, sparking violent anti-Chinese protests in Vietnam.
Delegates at the Congress will set key policies for the next five years, including on Vietnam's economic strategy. How new leaders will be chosen:
They will also elect a new central committee. Near the end of the event, that new committee will elect a politburo from within its ranks and select one person as party general secretary.
The prime minister, president and national assembly chairman - the three other top positions - will be nominated, but their formal selection is made by the national assembly, which is not elected for another six months.