Vietnam’s leader To Lam strengthens power in unanimous assembly vote
vietnam moved into a new political phase on Monday in Hanoi, where the 500-seat National Assembly unanimously elected To Lam as president and head of state. The vote gives him both the presidency and the top job in the Communist Party, creating an unusual concentration of authority in one person. The shift comes after the Communist Party Congress in January and follows a period in which To Lam had already been handling both roles temporarily.
Power concentrated after unanimous vote
The assembly’s decision makes To Lam the most powerful leader in vietnam in recent decades. The party-dominated legislature sat from Monday and delivered the unanimous backing that completed his hold on the country’s two top posts for the next five years.
To Lam rose over the past decade as Minister for Public Security, where he played a major role in a nationwide anti-corruption drive that removed or disgraced many possible rivals. In 2024, he took over the party leadership and the presidency on an interim basis after the resignation of then-president Vo Van Thuong and the death of party chief Nguyen Phu Trong.
Vietnam and the question of collective leadership
The Communist Party of Vietnam has traditionally favored collective leadership among the four most senior national positions, now expanded to five, known as the “five pillars. ” To Lam’s consolidation of the presidency and party leadership marks a clear departure from that norm, and it has drawn comparisons with China’s political structure.
Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales, said the central committee still matters as a check inside the system. “To Lam is the first among equals, but he’s also answerable to the Politburo, ” Thayer said, pointing to other senior figures in the 19-member committee. He added that “there’s still a balance, ” while noting that To Lam has shown he can build coalitions and work collectively.
Reactions from officials and foreign leaders
Signals of support also came from abroad. Xi Jinping congratulated To Lam in January after he retained his post as general secretary of vietnam’s Communist Party, saying he would work with him to “carry forward the traditional friendship” between the two socialist neighbours.
Other congratulatory letters and messages were sent to To Lam and other newly elected leaders in Hanoi, including Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn. Among those sending messages were leaders from Russia, Brunei, Japan, Venezuela, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Angola, Sweden and Switzerland, along with political parties.
Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez praised the longstanding ties between the two countries and said the relationship was built on respect, solidarity and cooperation. The South African Communist Party said it expected To Lam, in his role as State President, to use his experience and knowledge to advance vietnam’s national development.
What comes next for vietnam
The main test now is whether To Lam can deliver the growth and anti-corruption goals he has set at a time of global uncertainty. He has announced sweeping reforms aimed at helping vietnam become an upper-income country within two decades, while setting a target of more than 10% annual economic growth and continued anti-corruption enforcement.
That push will unfold under close scrutiny inside the party and across the state system, where the balance between collective rule and concentrated power remains central. For now, the unanimous vote has placed To Lam at the center of vietnam’s political future.
