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New leadership for Vietnam's one-party state
Vietnam's Communist Party has selected To Lam as its general secretary, entrusting him with steering the nation for the next five years. The 68-year-old former police chief, who briefly held the role following the death of long-serving leader Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2024, secured the position after a closed-door nomination by the party's central committee.
Economic ambitions and challenges
To Lam has outlined an ambitious vision to propel Vietnam from a middle-income economy to a developed nation within two decades. Achieving this goal would require sustaining annual growth at approximately 6.5%, a rate that could triple per capita income, according to World Bank data. However, hurdles loom large, including reliance on foreign-owned industries, threats of U.S. tariffs, and a delicate balancing act between Washington and Beijing.
In a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City last April, Lam invoked the legacy of Doi Moi-the 1986 reforms that transformed Vietnam into a socialist-oriented market economy. He pledged to build on past triumphs, declaring, "We will forge new miracles in an era of wealth, civilization, prosperity, and national advancement."
Anti-corruption drive and bureaucratic overhaul
Lam's tenure has been defined by the aggressive "blazing furnace" anti-corruption campaign, which he inherited from his predecessor. The initiative has disciplined tens of thousands of officials, dismantled ministries, and halved the number of provinces. High-profile cases include the sentencing of Truong My Lan, a banking tycoon convicted of embezzling $44 billion, and the dismissal of over 100,000 civil servants.
While the campaign has improved Vietnam's ranking in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index-climbing from 113th in 2016 to 88th in 2024-critics warn it risks stifling bureaucracy and creating inefficiencies. Lam has sought to allay concerns, stating last August that the fight against corruption "must not hinder economic growth."
Controversies and human rights record
Lam's leadership has drawn criticism for its heavy-handed approach to dissent. Between 2016 and 2024, Vietnam's security apparatus, under his oversight, arrested over 70 journalists, with 38 still imprisoned, according to Reporters Without Borders. The country ranks among the worst globally for press freedom.
One of the most contentious episodes involved a viral TikTok video of Lam dining on a $20,000 gold-flecked steak at a London restaurant owned by chef Nusret Gökçe, known as "Salt Bae." The incident sparked public outrage, highlighting the disparity between the lavish lifestyle of officials and average citizens. Days later, a noodle vendor was jailed for five and a half years for parodying Gökçe's salt-sprinkling gesture, accused of spreading "anti-state propaganda."
Future priorities: tech and stability
As general secretary, Lam has prioritized technological advancement, quadrupling the science-and-technology budget and setting a target to generate $100 billion annually from the semiconductor industry by 2050. Analysts describe his leadership style as pragmatic, focused on economic development and political stability over ideological campaigns.
"Lam's actions hint at a bolder, more assertive leadership style, though he treads carefully between reform and continuity."
Nguyen Khac Giang, Visiting Fellow at the Yusof Ishak Institute
With his authority now cemented, Lam faces the dual challenge of delivering on his economic promises while navigating the complexities of Vietnam's geopolitical position and internal governance.
