BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Vietnam’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party Secretary General To Lam as the country’s state president for a five-year term, a move that firmly establishes him as the most powerful political figure in the nation in decades and marks a significant shift away from its traditional system of collective leadership.
According to an official statement from the legislature, all 495 lawmakers present at the session voted in favor of the party’s nomination, with only a small number of deputies absent. The outcome had been widely anticipated following internal party decisions finalized in late March.
Lam, a former minister of public security, now holds both the top party position and the presidency, giving him a dual mandate that consolidates authority at the highest level of government. He had already secured a second term as general secretary earlier this year, further strengthening his control over the country’s political direction.
The concentration of power in one leader represents a notable departure from Vietnam’s longstanding governance model, which has typically relied on a balance among top officials. Analysts say the new arrangement could allow for faster and more decisive policymaking, though it also raises concerns about increasing centralization of authority.
In a televised address following the vote, Lam said it was a great honor to hold both roles and outlined an ambitious agenda focused on economic transformation. He pledged to pursue a “new growth model” driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, while also emphasizing the importance of strengthening national defense and self-reliance.
He told lawmakers that his priorities include maintaining political stability, achieving rapid and sustainable economic growth, and improving the overall quality of life for the Vietnamese people.
The National Assembly is expected to continue its leadership reshuffle by appointing a new prime minister to replace Pham Minh Chinh, as part of a broader transition in the country’s leadership structure.
Observers note that Lam’s expanded authority may streamline decision-making processes that previously required consensus among multiple leaders. However, some analysts caution that concentrating power in a single office carries potential risks.
Le Hong Hiep, a senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, said that while centralization could improve policy efficiency, it may also increase the likelihood of authoritarian tendencies within Vietnam’s political system. At the same time, he noted that such a structure could enable the government to respond more quickly and effectively to economic and geopolitical challenges.
Alexander Vuving of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies said the dual role signals a transition to a “new normal” in Vietnam’s domestic politics, where traditional assumptions about collective leadership may no longer hold.
Lam previously held both positions temporarily following the death of longtime party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in 2024. Even after stepping down from the presidency in favor of army general Luong Cuong, he remained highly active on the international stage, frequently representing Vietnam in meetings with foreign leaders.
At 68, Lam has already built a reputation as a reform-minded leader. During his earlier tenure as party chief, he launched sweeping economic initiatives aimed at enhancing Vietnam’s competitiveness and reducing reliance on low-cost manufacturing, which has long driven the country’s export growth.
His strategy focuses on transitioning toward higher-value industries and innovation-led development. While this approach has drawn praise for its ambition, it has also caused some unease among officials and businesses due to its pace and scope.
Lam has demonstrated a pragmatic approach, balancing reform efforts with reassurances to party traditionalists, including reaffirming the leading role of state-owned enterprises in the economy. He has also supported the growth of large domestic corporations, positioning them as key drivers of national development.
Foreign investors, a vital component of Vietnam’s export-driven economy, have generally welcomed the country’s political stability and view Lam as a business-friendly leader. However, some concerns remain about the risks of favoritism, corruption, and potential economic imbalances associated with rapid growth strategies.
In foreign policy, Lam is expected to continue Vietnam’s established approach known as “Bamboo Diplomacy,” which seeks to balance relations with major global powers while expanding international partnerships. Analysts widely believe that despite the shift in domestic leadership dynamics, Vietnam’s external strategy will remain largely consistent.
As Lam begins his new term with unprecedented authority, Vietnam enters a new phase that could reshape its political landscape while influencing the pace and direction of its economic and diplomatic ambitions.
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