Hanoi: Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam is moving to take on the country’s presidency, a step that could reshape Vietnam’s political system by concentrating power in a way similar to the model followed in China.
Senior party officials and diplomats say Lam is seeking to combine his current role as general secretary of the ruling Communist Party with the largely ceremonial post of state president. If approved, the move would mark a departure from Vietnam’s long standing practice of collective leadership, where top state roles are usually shared among different leaders.
The proposal is expected to be discussed and formally decided at the Communist Party’s national congress scheduled for later this month in Hanoi. While outcomes at such congresses are often decided in advance, the discussions reflect deeper negotiations within the party and the military.
In Vietnam, the presidency has traditionally been held by a senior military figure and carries symbolic authority rather than direct executive power. Sources familiar with internal talks say Lam’s camp is working to reassure the armed forces that their influence will remain intact, particularly over military appointments and promotions, even if the presidency is no longer reserved for a military leader.
Lam, 68, rose to the top party position in 2024 after years as a powerful security official. Since then, he has taken a more visible role in state affairs, representing Vietnam at major international events and overseeing key domestic policies. Supporters argue that combining party and state leadership would bring clearer direction and faster decision making at a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
However, some analysts note that Vietnam has historically avoided concentrating power in one individual, learning from past periods of political instability. Any shift toward a stronger central role for the party chief could therefore signal a significant change in how the country is governed.
The outcome of the party congress will not only determine whether Lam becomes president but will also offer clues about Vietnam’s future political direction, including how it balances internal stability, economic reform and relations with major powers in the region.