To Lam wins Vietnam presidency as party tightens grip on power

Vietnam’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as president for a five-year term, giving him control over both the party and the state.

The widely expected move makes To Lam the most powerful Vietnamese leader in decades and marks a significant departure from the country’s traditional collective leadership structure.

Analysts say the consolidation of power could push Vietnam toward a more centralised and authoritarian model, while also allowing faster policy execution similar to the system in neighboring China.

The National Assembly approved the Communist Party’s nomination with all 495 lawmakers present voting in favor, after which To Lam pledged loyalty to the country and constitution.

In the same session, lawmakers also unanimously elected former central bank governor Le Minh Hung as Vietnam’s new prime minister, completing a major reshuffle of the country’s top leadership.

To Lam, a former public security chief, secured a second term as party general secretary earlier this year and has since emerged as the dominant figure in Vietnam’s political system.

The new leadership structure is being closely watched by investors and regional governments, as it may shape Vietnam’s economic reforms, governance style and foreign policy direction in the years ahead.

The appointments underline a new phase in Vietnamese politics, with power now more concentrated in a single leader than at any point in recent decades.

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