The supreme party organ is the National Party Congress (Vietnamese: Đại hội đại biểu toàn quốc Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam, lit.
'Congress of nationwide representatives of the Communist Party of Vietnam', less formally the Party congress - Đại hội Đảng), which has been held every five years since 1976 (49 years ago) (1976).
Due to war footing during the time of wars against France and the United States, the first four congresses were not fixed according to a common time schedule.
Since the Foundation Conference, 12 national CPV congresses have been held.
The National Party Congress elects the Central Committee, consisting of 180 full members and 20 alternates.