Vietnam Women's Union

comprehensively boosting the renewal process, and delivering the country from its underdeveloped status soon," opened at 8.30am in Ha Noi on April 18.

The Congress will conclude on April 25.

The current Congress will review the implementation of the resolution put forward by the 9th Congress for the 2001-2005 period; assess the achievements and lessons of 20 years of renewal started at the 6th Congress and decide on the trends, targets, duties and major measures for national development for the upcoming five years (2006-2010). It will also discuss the building and rectification of the Party, and enhancing the Party’s capacity and combativeness; consider the adjustment of some items in the Party’s statute and elect the CPV Central Committee for the 10th tenure.

A total of 1,176 delegates are attending the congress. Of these, 11.56 per cent are female and 13.1 per cent belong to ethnic minority groups.

Before the opening ceremony, delegates paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid floral wreaths in tribute at the War Memorial.

The Presidium of the Congress included Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and other Politburo members of the 9th Party Central Committee, namely Tran Duc Luong, Phan Van Khai, Nguyen Van An, Phan Dien, Nguyen Minh Triet, Nguyen Tan Dung, Nguyen Phu Trong, Le Hong Anh, Truong Tan Sang, Pham Van Tra, Truong Quang Duoc, Tran Dinh Hoan, Nguyen Khoa Diem; and other delegates.

Many distinguished guests, including former Party and State leaders, representatives of revolutionary veterans, Heroic Mothers, outstanding intellectuals and young people attended the opening ceremony.

Also present at the opening ceremony of the Congress were ambassadors of foreign countries and representatives of international and non-governmental organisations in Ha Noi.

About 500 local and foreign correspondents and photographers registered to cover the event.