Vietnam follows China’s path: To Lam becomes new President while retaining top party post
Vietnam sees a major political shift as To Lam assumes the presidency while continuing as Communist Party chief, echoing China-style leadership consolidation.
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): To Lam was sworn in as Vietnam’s President on Tuesday after being unanimously elected by the National Assembly. He will serve a five-year term from 2026 to 2031. With his appointment, Vietnam’s long-standing system of collective leadership has effectively come to an end as both the presidency and the post of Communist Party General Secretary are now held by the same individual signaling a stronger concentration of power.
Experts suggest that this shift could align Vietnam’s political structure more closely with China’s model. While such centralization may lead to faster decision-making and quicker implementation of economic reforms it also raises concerns about the potential rise of authoritarian governance. To Lam, who previously served as the country’s public security chief secured a second term as General Secretary earlier this year, further consolidating his authority.
Analysts have expressed mixed views on the development. Some believe that combining both top roles could streamline governance, while others warn it may weaken the traditional system of collective decision-making. After the death of former party chief Nguyễn Phú Trọng in 2024, To Lam briefly held both positions before stepping down as President though he continued to play a key role in foreign affairs and represented Vietnam in high-level international engagements.