Vietnamese politics is primarily characterized by the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which is the only legal political party in the country. The party controls the government and sets policies, with a focus on maintaining socialism while also encouraging economic reforms. The political system is centralized, and decisions are made by a small group of leaders. The National Assembly serves as the legislative body, but its powers are limited, as most candidates are approved by the Communist Party. Vietnam has made significant economic progress in recent years, balancing state control with market-oriented reforms, which has led to increased foreign investment and growth.