KARUNA SHINSHO, ASIA TONIGHT: Vietnam's ruling Communist Party is gearing up for a new leader. Many Vietnamese and international investors are pinning their hopes on the leadership change to help boost the country's economy.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I hope the congress will help to improve the living standard, create more business conditions for us and reduce taxes.</s>SHINSHO: Manh is considered to be more reform-minded than Phieu and is expected to revamp the country's cumbersome bureaucracy and legal system. Aside from the leadership issue, this session of congress will also approve the country's next socio-economic development plan. The 10-year plan, which is backed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, calls for ambitious growth targets driven by faster economic reform.</s>KAVI CHONGKITTAVORN, THE NATION: It is not so much about pro- reform or not pro-reform. I think Vietnam is already on the reform path. It has to do with the speed, and also I think mostly that will come in, you know, some of the younger blood have a better impression of the world that will improve Vietnam's image overseas and economic competitiveness.</s>SHINSHO: Analysts say Manh's appointment as party head would send a positive message to the outside world which, in turn, could bring in more foreign investment to the country.
Investors Hope New Vietnamese Leadership Will Boost Its Economy