Vietnam’s political landscape entered a decisive new chapter as To Lam was unanimously re-elected to a second term as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party, extending his leadership through 2030. The decision, announced at the conclusion of the five-yearly party congress, reaffirmed Lam’s grip on the most powerful position in the country and underscored the party’s confidence in his vision for Vietnam’s future.
All 180 members of the newly formed central committee voted in favor of Lam, a rare display of unity in the one-party state. In his address to party officials, Lam pledged to safeguard internal cohesion while acknowledging the scale of challenges ahead, from economic transformation to administrative reform.
Since assuming the role in mid-2024, Lam has pushed through sweeping reforms aimed at accelerating decision-making and cutting bureaucratic red tape. These measures helped fuel rapid economic growth in the export-driven nation but also sparked controversy, as tens of thousands of civil servants were laid off in the process. While supporters credit him with injecting urgency and efficiency into governance, critics argue the pace of reform has created social and institutional strain.
Aware of internal unease, Lam moved swiftly to consolidate backing from rival factions, including the influential military establishment, according to officials familiar with party dynamics. When concerns arose that his policies might favor private conglomerates over state-owned enterprises, Lam issued a directive ahead of the congress reaffirming the leading role of state firms, including major army-linked groups such as telecom and defence giant Viettel.
Political analysts note that Lam’s rise has been carefully calculated. Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, observed that Lam is known for meticulously preparing each political move, a trait that helped him navigate Vietnam’s complex power structures and ascend to the party’s top post in 2024 amid the prolonged illness of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong.
For foreign investors, Lam’s re-election sends a signal of continuity and stability, factors frequently cited as central to Vietnam’s attractiveness as a manufacturing and investment hub. At 68, Lam is also widely expected to pursue the presidency, with an announcement anticipated soon. However, analysts caution that combining the top party and state roles, a model resembling China’s under President Xi Jinping, could challenge Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of collective leadership and internal checks and balances.
During the congress, Lam laid out an ambitious economic vision, pledging to deliver annual growth of more than 10 percent throughout the decade. This target significantly exceeds World Bank projections, which forecast average growth of around 6.5 percent in the near term. Lam argued that achieving such momentum would require a fundamental shift away from reliance on cheap labor and exports, toward innovation, productivity, and efficiency.
In his first months in office, Lam launched the most comprehensive overhaul of Vietnam’s public administration in decades. Despite lingering concerns over financial risks, controversial infrastructure projects, and potential favoritism, he has made clear that the reform drive will continue.
At its core, Lam’s renewed mandate is about more than numbers and policies. It reflects a leadership promising transformation at a moment when millions of ordinary Vietnamese are hoping that growth, reform, and stability will translate into better jobs, fairer governance, and a future that feels more secure for their families.
