Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has started its national congress. These meetings happen every five years to select the country's top leader. Nguyen Tan Dung is battling against Nguyen Phu Trong who's looking to stay as the party's top general secretary.

Mr. Dung, who is known to be a charismatic prime minister and favors close ties with the United States is up against a conservative apparatchik Mr. Trong.  Mr. Dung, who is on his on his second term as prime minister mesmerized the hearts of the Vietnamese after he denounce Chinas decision to move an oil rig near Vietnams coast. He also developed a good relationship with American officials as reported by Bloomberg.

On the other hand, Mr. Trong, reluctantly criticizes china on the issue of the oil rig. He is also seen as a force on the state's role in the economy and defends the monopoly power of the party. But regardless of this, he led Vietnam to the Trans-Pacific Partnership which was headed by the American trade agreement.

In a 16-member politburo, Mr. Trong is said to have the upper hand, but his supporters are worried that Mr. Dung who is known to be very dynamic had already undercut the party leadership.  By building a vast network of patronage among the 175 members of the Central Committee and also strengthening the institutions of government according to Channel News Asia

NY Times reported that the economic record of Mr. Dung has been stained with scandals. Among these issues are the debilitating economic inflation. But despite all of these he still seen as the party's strongest contender and is seen as a medium for the Vietnamese economy to be competitive and to be open to foreign investment.

The results of these meetings take several months and whoever comes out as the victor will determine what Vietnam's future will be. It will have to balance between China, its closest ally and trading partner and the United States which the elites consider an important counterweight against the increasing grasp of the Chinese in the region.