Vietnamese President To Lam has ascended to the top position in the country's political hierarchy, formally taking over as chief of the Communist Party two weeks after the death of his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong. The 67-year-old Lam, who was elected president in May 2024, now holds the two most powerful offices in Vietnam's one-party system.
In his inaugural speech as party chief, Lam vowed to carry on Trong's legacy and maintain policy continuity, particularly regarding Vietnam's aggressive anti-corruption drive. As the former police minister who spearheaded many high-profile graft investigations, Lam emphasized that rooting out corruption would remain a top priority under his leadership. He pledged to push forward with economic development goals while preserving Vietnam's foreign policy direction.
Lam's rise to the pinnacle of power comes at a critical juncture for Vietnam. The country has seen robust economic growth in recent years, emerging as an increasingly important player in global supply chains. However, it continues to grapple with deep-rooted corruption issues that Trong had made his mission to address through a sweeping burning furnace campaign targeting powerful officials and business figures.
As both party chief and president, Lam is poised to wield significant authority in shaping Vietnam's trajectory. Some observers have drawn comparisons to Chinese leader Xi Jinping's consolidation of power, speculating that Lam may adopt a more centralized leadership approach. However, it remains unclear whether he will retain both top positions long-term or if a new president will be appointed.
Lam faces the delicate task of maintaining Vietnam's careful balancing act in foreign relations, particularly in managing ties with China and the United States amid rising geopolitical tensions. Vietnam has cultivated closer strategic and economic links with Washington in recent years while being mindful not to antagonize its powerful northern neighbor and fellow communist state.
On the domestic front, Lam inherits a mixed legacy from his predecessor. While Trong's anti-corruption push was popular among the public, it also created uncertainty in the business community and raised concerns about political stability. Lam will need to sustain momentum on fighting graft while providing reassurances to investors and avoiding destabilizing factional conflicts within the party.
As a career security official who rose through the ranks of the police force, Lam brings a different background to the top leadership compared to Trong, who had a more ideological and party-focused resume. This has led to speculation about potential shifts in governance style and priorities, even as Lam has emphasized continuity with past policies.
