On August 25, 2026, at the Viet Xo Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi, the 7th National Congress of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance for the 2026–2031 term officially opened. At the Congress, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong – Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Co-operative Bank of Vietnam (Co-opBank) – was elected to the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, 7th Term (2026–2031).
Strengthening Connectivity, Accompanying the Collective Economic Sector
The 7th Congress took place against the backdrop of the country entering a new phase of development, in which science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and international integration are identified as key drivers.
Delivering the opening speech at the Congress, Ms. Cao Xuan Thu Van – President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance – emphasized the sustainable value of the cooperative spirit after 80 years of establishment and development. In the new context, cooperatives need to serve as a bridge helping members access knowledge, technology, and markets, as well as participate more deeply in value chains.
Ms. Ha Thi Nga – Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front – noted that many cooperatives have boldly applied technology, organized production along value chains, developed OCOP products, organic farming, and circular economy, while adapting to climate change.
The Congress defined the imperative of shifting strongly from quantitative growth to enhancing quality, efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable development; placing members, cooperatives, and cooperative unions at the center, and using the practical benefits of members as the primary benchmark.
As part of the Congress agenda, delegates elected the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, 7th Term (2026–2031). Ms. Cao Xuan Thu Van was re-trusted to serve as President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance; Mr. Dinh Hong Thai and Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Linh were elected as Vice Presidents of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, 7th Term.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Cuong – Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Co-opBank was re-trusted to be elected to the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, 7th Term, and subsequently elected to the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance for the 2026–2031 term. This marks a meaningful milestone, affirming the strong connection between Co-opBank and the collective economic sector, while opening up further opportunities to strengthen coordination, share resources, and promote financial solutions tailored to the development needs of cooperatives.
Promoting the Role as the Apex Bank of the PCF System
The 7th Congress of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance set forth the imperative for strong operational innovation, leveraging the internal strength of members, enhancing cooperative quality, and strengthening linkages with enterprises and markets.
As the apex bank for the People’s Credit Fund (PCF) system, Co-opBank maintains a close relationship with the collective economic sector and cooperative activities. Through the PCF network, Co-opBank contributes to providing capital and banking services to support PCF members in developing production and business, thereby contributing to local socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, one of the key requirements set by the 7th Congress for the new term is to improve governance capacity, access to capital, and science and technology; strengthen value chain linkages; and promote digital transformation and green transition within the cooperative sector.
These orientations necessitate stronger coordination between the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and organizations, enterprises, and stakeholders within the ecosystem supporting the collective economy. Among these, financial resources and appropriate credit solutions play a crucial role in enabling cooperatives to invest, innovate technology, enhance production capacity, and expand markets.
The participation of Co-opBank’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (7th Term) will contribute to creating an additional bridge for enhancing dialogue, coordination, and resource connection, aimed at supporting the effective and sustainable development of the collective economic sector.
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