Vietnam's parliament has elected To Lam, the police minister, as the state president. Analysts view this as a potential step for Lam to later aim for the top position of general secretary of the ruling Communist Party.

Lam's election follows the National Assembly's appointment of former deputy Tran Thanh Man as its new chairman, possibly ending a two-month period of political turbulence that saw the departure of three of Vietnam's top five leaders over unspecified misconduct.

In the one-party state, lawmakers unanimously approved Lam's election after a secret ballot, following his nomination by the Communist Party last week. As head of the public security ministry, Lam, 66, has played a key role in the anti-corruption campaign "blazing furnace," which aims to eradicate widespread corruption but is also seen by critics as a means to eliminate political rivals.

This political instability has negatively impacted foreign investment, with investors reducing their securities holdings and the public administration being hampered, leaving billions in foreign aid and public funds unspent.

After his election, Lam committed to continuing the fight against corruption.
The state president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of Vietnam's top four political positions, along with the party chief, the prime minister, and the parliament speaker. Political infighting may temporarily ease following Lam's election, according to Carl Thayer, an expert on Vietnam.

However, the key battle is anticipated as party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s term ends in 2026 or possibly earlier. Thayer suggests Lam might use his new position to eventually become general secretary.

Florian Feyerabend of Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation views Lam's elevation as indicative of his broader ambitions, noting that it could serve as a platform for him to pursue the party chief role. Until this position is settled, Feyerabend expects continued infighting.

The parliament also dismissed Lam from his police minister post, appointing Deputy Minister Tran Quoc To as his temporary replacement. Lam's rise has been controversial, including a 2021 incident where a video of him eating a gold-encrusted steak from chef Nusret Gokce, known as "Salt Bae," went viral during Vietnam's COVID-19 lockdown. Additionally, a noodle vendor who imitated "Salt Bae" received a five-year prison sentence for "anti-state propaganda."

Lam was also linked to a 2017 case where Vietnam's security services allegedly kidnapped a business executive from Germany, straining relations with Germany and Slovakia.

The U.S. State Department's 2023 human rights report highlighted significant abuses by Vietnam's security forces.