To Lam elected Vietnam's President with 99% vote, Modi conveys ‘Heartiest congratulations’

Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously elected To Lam as the country’s president for a five-year term, allowing the Communist Party chief to simultaneously hold the top party and state positions and further consolidate political power .

All 495 lawmakers present voted in favour , with Lam the sole nominee for the post in the one-party state. The vote took place during the first session of the 16th National Assembly , following legislative elections held in March.

The move marks a departure from Vietnam’s long-standing collective leadership model , where the roles of party chief and president were typically held by different leaders. Analysts say the arrangement brings Vietnam’s power structure closer to that seen in China under Xi Jinping , and in neighbouring Laos , where the same leader occupies both posts.

Lam, 69, told lawmakers after taking the oath that his top priority would be ensuring peace and political stability while promoting rapid and sustainable development. “We aim to improve people’s livelihoods so all can share the benefits of development,” he said.

This is the second time Lam has briefly held both roles, having done so in 2024 after the death of former party chief Nguyen Phu Trong . However, analysts say the latest decision gives him an unprecedented dual mandate as he was already re-elected party general secretary earlier this year.

Lam, a former police general who previously headed the Ministry of Public Security, rose to prominence while overseeing a sweeping anti-corruption campaign under Trong. Since becoming party chief, he has pushed a major bureaucratic overhaul , cutting red tape, merging ministries and accelerating infrastructure development.

His administration is targeting annual economic growth of around 10 per cent and aims to shift Vietnam beyond a labour- and export-driven economy toward one powered by technology, innovation and private-sector expansion .

However, analysts caution that concentrating authority could bring both opportunities and risks. While stronger leadership may allow faster policy decisions and reforms, it could also test Vietnam’s traditional consensus-based governance system.

Vietnam’s economy grew 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of the year , but external pressures remain, including global disruptions linked to the war in Iran and trade tensions with the United States .

At the same parliamentary session, lawmakers also elected Le Minh Hung , a former central bank governor, as prime minister for the 2026–2031 term , replacing Pham Minh Chinh .

Vietnam’s leadership is expected to continue its pragmatic foreign policy, often described as “bamboo diplomacy” , balancing relations with major powers while maintaining economic openness and political stability.