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Reuters

Vietnamese President To Lam was named to the nation’s top position, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, on Saturday, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago.
Lam, 67, had temporarily taken over the duties of party chief on July 18, a day before Trong’s death, as his health was deteriorating.
Party delegates unanimously supported Lam’s nomination, officials told a press conference.
Addressing the delegates, he vowed to inherit and promote Trong’s legacy, make no changes to the Southeast Asian nation’s foreign policy, focus on achieving its socioeconomic development goals and continue Vietnam’s anti-corruption campaign.
“In the coming time, the work on anti-corruption will be continued fiercely,” Lam told the press conference. “Personally, I feel fortunate that I have much experience in handling anti-corruption campaign during the time I worked at the police ministry.”
“This is a huge honour with glorious responsibility before the party and the people,” he added.

Vietnam, a major destination for manufacturing investment, has long been favoured by multinational corporations for political stability, but in recent months it has experienced major political turbulence, which officials said was fuelled by the anti-corruption campaign.
The nation does not formally have a paramount leader, but the head of the party effectively plays a more prominent role than others after Trong strengthened the powers of the role during his 13-year tenure.
Lam, a career security officer, had been seen as long aiming to become party chief, with experts calling the presidency a stepping stone for the top job.
“It is a sign of a temporary halt of internal fighting within the party,” Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnam expert at Singapore think tank the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
“Although Lam vowed to push forward the anti-corruption campaign, the campaign may slow down a little as he may prioritise stabilising the party system before the party congress in 2026.”
It was not immediately clear whether Lam would retain both top jobs until the legislative session ends in 2026, or whether a new president would be chosen.
Lam was elected president in May after leading the sweeping campaign of high-profile investigations against corruption as police minister. He replaced Vo Van Thuong, who had been in the job about a year when he quit amid accusations of unspecified wrongdoing.
Officials and diplomats said the party had discussed possibly naming a new president so that Lam could focus on the party chief job. Discussions may still be under way, one diplomat said on Saturday.

If Lam retains both jobs, he may boost his powers and possibly adopt a more autocratic leadership style, officials have said, similar to that of Xi Jinping, who is China’s party chief and state president.
That would be a change for Vietnam, which, unlike its far larger neighbour, has engaged in more collective decision-making, with leaders subject to multiple checks.
It would not, however, be unprecedented. Trong held both top jobs for nearly three years until April 2021 after the death of a former president.
“In case the plenum ends without naming any new state president to replace Lam, it is a signal of a new chapter for Vietnam,” Giang said. “This practice can then become a norm, not just until 2026, but even after that.”
Xi congratulated Lam on his new role, the official Xinhua news agency said.
In a message to Lam, Xi said he looked forward to working with him to consolidate mutual political trust and promote pragmatic cooperation to bring more benefits for the people of both nations, official broadcaster CCTV News said.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse


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Vietnam’s Communist Party names To Lam as top leader, following Nguyen Phu Trong’s death

Vietnam’s Communist Party named To Lam as top leader on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Vietnamese President To Lam has temporarily taken on Trong’s duties following his death. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Armed forces members prepare the coffin of the late general secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong during his funeral in Hanoi. Photo: AP

Mourners hold portraits of Nguyen Phu Trong as they line the streets during his funeral in Hanoi. Photo: AFP

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Southeast Asia

President To Lam inherits the position of party general secretary, the nation’s top position, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago


President To Lam inherits the position of party general secretary, the nation’s top position, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago.


Vietnam’s Communist Party names To Lam as top leader, following Nguyen Phu Trong’s death

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}President To Lam inherits the position of party general secretary, the nation’s top position, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago

President To Lam inherits the position of party general secretary, the nation’s top position, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago