Vietnam in 2001 - The Ninth Party Congress and after

Vietnam began 2001 focused on preparations for the Ninth National Congress of the Vietnam Communist Party (VCP). In the months preceding the congress, Vietnam entered a period of political uncertainty due to a battle royal over party leadership among the political elite and the eruption of mass protests by ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. The Ninth Congress brought about leadership changes designed to address the twin issues of political stability and continuation of economic reforms. In external affairs Vietnam continued to pursue a long-standing policy to multilateralize its foreign relations.