To Lam's rise to the top in Vietnam has been 'spectacular'. Are we witnessing the emergence of a new strongman leader?
7 months ago

To Lam's rise to the top in Vietnam has been 'spectacular'. Are we witnessing the emergence of a new strongman leader?

ABC  

A new leader has rapidly ascended to power in Vietnam and some are already comparing him to Xi Jinping. Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnam expert at Singapore think tank the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said Mr Lam's rise had been "spectacular". A 'cascade' of political downfalls Dr Giang said Mr Lam's rise was thanks to a "cascade" of other senior members of the government being brought down by corruption allegations. UNSW Canberra emeritus professor Carl Thayer said that Mr Lam was answerable to the Vietnamese Communist Party's 200-member Central Committee in a way that Mr Xi was not. Dr Giang said Vietnam's political culture meant Mr Lam would not want to be seen to be consolidating too much power.

Vietnam China Political Power General Secretary Reuters Leader Vietnamese Position Xi Jinping Communist Mr Xi Lam Public Security Mr Lam Giang Nguyen Phu Trong Salt Bae Dr Giang Dr Thayer  spectacular  strongman  political  vietnamese  position  rise  giang  power  mr  xi  witnessing  lam  lams  emergence  communist  leader  vietnam

History of this topic

Vietnam Party Chief Highlights Urgent Need for Political Reform
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnam Party Chief Highlights Urgent Need for Political Reform

Live Mint  

-- Vietnam’s Communist Party chief said there’s a pressing case to reform the country’s political system and improve the party’s leadership, as officials grapple with the biggest bureaucratic overhaul in decades. “The country is facing a new historical moment, posing an urgent need to strongly innovate leadership methods,” To Lam said in a government post Tuesday. “The era of the …

Letter from the Editors
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Letter from the Editors

The Diplomat  

Journalism and analysis, including here at The Diplomat, tends to focus heavily on politics: who’s up-and-coming, who’s down-and-out, and what to expect from the person currently holding the reins. As Zachary Abuza and Nguyen Phuong Linh detail in our cover story, “Since December 2022, seven of the 18 members of the elite Communist Party of Vietnam Politburo have been forced …

To Lam | The security tsar
7 months ago

To Lam | The security tsar

The Hindu  

To Lam, Vietnam’s newly elected President, recently concluded a three-day visit to China. Mr. Lam, who succeeded long-serving Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, who died at 80 in July 2024, moved fast in consolidating power at home and strengthening Vietnam’s partnerships abroad. The video, posted on November 3 on Mr. Gokce’s TikTok account, showed the chef personally preparing steak …

Fear Not? The Economic Impact of Vietnam’s Political Churn
7 months ago

Fear Not? The Economic Impact of Vietnam’s Political Churn

The Diplomat  

Over the past two decades, Vietnam’s development can be described as a binary dance: two steps forward, one step backward. Shortly before Trong’s death on July 19, the Politburo and Central Committee announced that Lam would assume the responsibilities of the general secretary due to Trong’s poor health. Second, despite the anticipated relative political stability, there is still a lot …

Vietnam’s new leader has arrived in China on his first overseas trip since taking the helm
7 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam’s new leader has arrived in China on his first overseas trip since taking the helm

The Hindu  

Vietnamese leader To Lam started a three-day visit to China on Sunday in his first overseas trip since assuming his country's top post about two weeks ago. His agenda included visiting sites in the southern China city where former Vietnamese communist leader Ho Chi Minh spent time, the state-owned Global Times newspaper said in a social media post. The new …

Vietnam's top leader To Lam to make three-day state visit to China
7 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam's top leader To Lam to make three-day state visit to China

China Daily  

File photo of To Lam. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam will kick off a three-day state visit to China on Sunday, the first overseas trip since the 67-year-old was elected as the top leader of the Southeast Asian nation in early August. During President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam …

Xi greets Vietnam's To Lam on election as party chief
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Xi greets Vietnam's To Lam on election as party chief

China Daily  

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has congratulated To Lam on his election as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. In recent years, the CPV has implemented the spirit of the resolution of the party's 13th National Congress, vigorously promoted party building, and pushed for new achievements in socialist construction …

Xi greets Vietnam's To Lam on election as party chief
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Xi greets Vietnam's To Lam on election as party chief

China Daily  

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has congratulated To Lam on his election as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. In recent years, the CPV has implemented the spirit of the resolution of the party's 13th National Congress, vigorously promoted party building, and pushed for new achievements in socialist construction …

Vietnamese President To Lam Formally Named As The Country's Communist Party Chief
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnamese President To Lam Formally Named As The Country's Communist Party Chief

News 18  

Vietnamese President To Lam was formally named the country’s top leader Saturday, pledging to “speed up” a sweeping anti-graft campaign that has snared thousands. The Communist Party elected Lam general secretary at a morning session, the party said at a press conference, making him the most powerful figure in Vietnam’s leadership structure. Lam’s ascension comes two weeks after the death …

Vietnam President To Lam takes top job as Communist Party chief
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnam President To Lam takes top job as Communist Party chief

The Hindu  

Vietnamese President To Lam was named general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the nation's top position, on Saturday, replacing Nguyen Phu Trong, who died two weeks ago. Mr. Lam took over the duties of party chief on July 18, a day before Trong's death as his health was deteriorating. Addressing the delegates, he vowed to inherit and promote …

Vietnam’s president is confirmed as the new Communist Party chief — the country’s most powerful role
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnam’s president is confirmed as the new Communist Party chief — the country’s most powerful role

Associated Press  

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Vietnamese President To Lam was confirmed Saturday as the new chief of the Communist Party after his predecessor died July 19. Lam will be the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country’s most powerful political role, state media said. In his first speech as the Communist Party chief, Lam said that him taking …

Vietnam President To Lam gets top job as Communist Party chief
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnam President To Lam gets top job as Communist Party chief

Al Jazeera  

Lam pledges to maintain predecessor’s anti-corruption campaign as he takes nation’s top job – but it is unclear whether he will also remain president. Vietnamese President To Lam has been formally named as the new chief of the Communist Party, the country’s top position, two weeks after the death of the previous general secretary. Officials and diplomats said the party …

Who was Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most influential leader who pioneered 'Bamboo diplomacy'
8 months, 1 week ago

Who was Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most influential leader who pioneered 'Bamboo diplomacy'

Firstpost  

Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong passed away on Friday at the age of 80. Trong held the country’s most powerful position for 13 years, during which he oversaw rapid economic growth and led a prolonged anti-corruption campaign while implementing a well-balanced foreign policy that appealed to both China and the US Vietnam's then-President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks …

Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80, President To Lam in charge
8 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80, President To Lam in charge

Firstpost  

State media, citing information from Trong’s medical team, said he died early afternoon on Friday ‘after a period of illness’ Vietnam’s Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has died, state media said on Friday, after holding the country’s most powerful position for more than a decade. State media, citing information from Trong’s medical team, said he died early afternoon on …

Vietnam Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the country’s most powerful leader, dies at age 80
8 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the country’s most powerful leader, dies at age 80

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party and the country’s most powerful politician, has died following months of ill health, official media said Friday. During Trong’s tenure as president and Communist Party chief, Guterres said, “Vietnam continued its remarkable development journey to emerge as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an important partner …

Vietnam's most powerful Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80
8 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam's most powerful Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80

New Indian Express  

HANOI: Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most powerful contemporary leader and architect of the country's largest anti-corruption campaign, died Friday at the age of 80, state media said. During Trong's 13 years as general secretary of the Communist Party, thousands of people were arrested on corruption charges and a crackdown on dissidents and activists intensified in the one-party state. Trong would …

Vietnam’s President To Lam becomes caretaker of Communist Party while chief Trong focuses on health
8 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam’s President To Lam becomes caretaker of Communist Party while chief Trong focuses on health

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese President To Lam on Thursday became the caretaker of the Communist Party because of party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s poor health, the party said in a statement. Nguyen Phu Trong, who was elected to a third term as general secretary in 2021, has dominated Vietnamese politics since he became party chief in 2011. As Vietnam’s top …

Vietnam’s ‘Blazing Furnace’ Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues to Burn
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Vietnam’s ‘Blazing Furnace’ Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues to Burn

The Diplomat  

For the past 15 months, Vietnamese politics has undergone a spell of unusual instability, culminating in a series of high-level personnel changes last month. By mid-May, this political blood-letting had left three of Vietnam’s five most important political posts vacant – only Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh remained aloof from …

Who is Tô Lâm? Vietnam's new president whose selection completes Hanoi's 'four pillars' – Firstpost
10 months ago

Who is Tô Lâm? Vietnam's new president whose selection completes Hanoi's 'four pillars' – Firstpost

Firstpost  

Vietnam’s parliament elected top security minister To Lam as the country’s new president on 22 May. VNA via AP Vietnam’s communist parliament publicly voted in To Lam, the minister of public security, as the country’s new president on Wednesday, following the resignation of his predecessor due to a significant anti-corruption campaign. File Image/Reuters “With To Lam’s ascent to the presidency, …

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam confirmed as president
10 months ago

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam confirmed as president

The Hindu  

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam was confirmed as the nation's new president. As Vietnam's top security official, Mr. Lam has led Mr. Trong's sweeping anti-graft campaign. During Mr. Lam's years heading the Public Security Ministry, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other watchdog organisations have strongly criticised Vietnam for its harassment and intimidation of critics. Under Mr. Lam's watch …

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam confirmed as president
10 months ago

Vietnam’s top security official To Lam confirmed as president

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Vietnam’s top security official To Lam was confirmed Wednesday as the nation’s new president. Vietnam’s presidency is largely ceremonial, but his new role as head of state puts the 66-year-old in a “very strong position” to become the next Communist Party general secretary, the most important political position in the country, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at …

Vietnam’s security chief To Lam becomes new president
10 months ago

Vietnam’s security chief To Lam becomes new president

Al Jazeera  

Lam’s appointment comes after a major anticorruption drive that analysts say he has weaponised for his benefit. Vietnam’s rubber-stamp parliament has approved public security minister To Lam as the country’s new president after a major anticorruption campaign forced his predecessor to resign. ‘Stepping stone’ The state president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the country’s top four …

Vietnam's top security official is confirmed as president
10 months ago

Vietnam's top security official is confirmed as president

NPR  

Vietnam's top security official is confirmed as president To Lam, who oversaw police and intelligence operations at a time when rights groups say basic freedoms had been suppressed, was confirmed amid a major reshuffle of the country's top leadership. LEILA FADEL, HOST: Vietnam's Communist Party has nominated the country's top police official as its new president amid a major reshuffle …

Vietnam nominates its public security minister as new president
10 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam nominates its public security minister as new president

The Hindu  

Vietnam has nominated its Public Security Minister To Lam as its new president, state media said on May 18, after his predecessor resigned in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has shaken up the country’s political establishment. The Communist Party's Central Committee had agreed to the nomination of To Lam, a Politburo member, as President, state-run Vietnam News Agency reported. The …

Vietnam nominates its public security minister as new president
10 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam nominates its public security minister as new president

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam has nominated its Public Security Minister To Lam as its new president, state media said on Saturday, after his predecessor resigned in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has shaken up the country’s political establishment. The Communist Party’s Central Committee had agreed to the nomination of To Lam, a Politburo member, as president, state-run Vietnam News Agency …

Vietnam nominates public security minister to be new president
10 months, 1 week ago

Vietnam nominates public security minister to be new president

Al Jazeera  

To Lam has been public security minister since 2016 and has taken a hard line on human rights movements in the country. Vietnam’s governing Communist Party has nominated the public security minister to be the next president, state media reported, months after his predecessor stepped down as part of a anticorruption crackdown. Lam has been public security minister since 2016 …

Head of Vietnam’s parliament resigns amid corruption probe
11 months ago

Head of Vietnam’s parliament resigns amid corruption probe

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — The head of Vietnam’s parliament has resigned, according to state media, making him the latest senior member of government to leave office amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign that’s shaken the country’s political and business elites. Hue’s resignation came days after his assistant Pham Thai Ha was arrested on charges of abusing his position and power for personal …

Vantage | Will political churn hurt Vietnam's economy and investments?
1 year ago

Vantage | Will political churn hurt Vietnam's economy and investments?

Firstpost  

Vietnam, the vibrant Southeast Asian nation known for its resilience and economic growth, has found itself embroiled in a relentless battle against corruption. The crackdown, termed the “Blazing Furnace,” has brought to light the pervasive nature of corruption within the country’s political and administrative spheres. Thuong’s departure, orchestrated by the ruling Communist Party, underscores the severity of corruption allegations plaguing …

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong resigns amid anti-corruption campaign
1 year ago

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong resigns amid anti-corruption campaign

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong resigned after a little over a year in the position, the Communist Party said Wednesday, making him the latest senior official to leave office after likely being implicated in an intense anti-corruption campaign. The party said it had accepted his resignation, writing in a statement that “violations by Vo Van Thuong have …

New president of Vietnam nominated by Communist Party: Report
2 years ago

New president of Vietnam nominated by Communist Party: Report

Al Jazeera  

Vietnam’s Communist Party has nominated Vo Van Thuong, 52, as the country’s next president, according to sources. The Vietnamese Communist Party has nominated Vo Van Thuong as the country’s new president, two party sources told the Reuters news agency, following the forced resignation in January of his predecessor as part of a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in the country. Thuong, 52, …

Vietnam President Phuc resigns amid ministers’ corruption scandal
2 years, 2 months ago

Vietnam President Phuc resigns amid ministers’ corruption scandal

Al Jazeera  

Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s resignation has been anticipated since the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers in January. Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has submitted his resignation after the ruling Communist Party found him responsible for violations and wrongdoing of numerous officials under him, the country’s official news agency has said. Phuc’s resignation follows the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers …

Nguyen Xuan Phuc sworn in as Vietnam’s president
3 years, 11 months ago

Nguyen Xuan Phuc sworn in as Vietnam’s president

Al Jazeera  

Ex-Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc says he is ‘lucky and honoured’ to be appointed president. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the man behind Vietnam’s successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has been formally sworn in as president in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Nguyen Khac Giang, a Vietnamese politics expert from New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington, said Phuc’s selection on Monday was …

Vietnam's Communist Party congress meets behind closed doors to map out the next five years post-COVID
4 years, 2 months ago

Vietnam's Communist Party congress meets behind closed doors to map out the next five years post-COVID

ABC  

Vietnam's Communist Party congress has gathered this week to select new leaders and outline policies for the next five years. Key points: Vietnam's Communist Party meets every five years to pick leaders and map out policy Prisoners of conscience have more than doubled in the past five years, Amnesty International says Tensions with China and the tech boom will impact …

Vietnam’s Trong tipped to lead Communist Party for third term
4 years, 2 months ago

Vietnam’s Trong tipped to lead Communist Party for third term

Al Jazeera  

Despite health issues, 76-year-old president is expected to be re-elected as party chief for rare third term. Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party chief and the architect of the country’s anti-corruption campaign, has been nominated to serve a rare third term, a Party official said on Wednesday, according to state media. Trong, 76, who is also Vietnam’s president, had …

Vietnam, China vow to join hands to realize common prosperity[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
7 years, 4 months ago

Vietnam, China vow to join hands to realize common prosperity[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong meets with visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 3, 2017. The pledge came when General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi separately. In his …

Officials: Vietnam’s Communist elite pick new boss
14 years, 2 months ago

Officials: Vietnam’s Communist elite pick new boss

Associated Press  

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam’s Communist elite selected a new party boss Tuesday, party insiders said, after a week of secret meetings at which politicians jockeyed for power before choosing a moderate now tasked with trying to sustain country’s explosive growth. In addition, three high-ranking party members — who are expected to be appointed to the country’s other top slots — …

Discover Related