Guwahati: Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary To Lam was elected president by the National Assembly on Tuesday, further consolidating his control over the country’s political leadership.
Lam, who secured another term as party chief in January, will now also serve as president — bringing together the top party and state positions under one leader in a political system that has traditionally been run through collective leadership.
Speaking after being sworn in, Lam said the dual responsibility was both an honour and a solemn duty.
“For me, taking the responsibility of the general secretary and the president is a very huge honor, a responsibility, and a sacred and noble duty,” he said.
National Assembly chairman Tran Thanh Man said all deputies present backed the resolution electing Lam president for the 2026–2031 term.
Lam is the first person to secure Vietnam’s top two offices through the normal leadership selection process, rather than stepping in after the death of an officeholder.
Since becoming party chief less than two years ago, he has moved quickly to consolidate authority, sideline rivals and push through an ambitious reform agenda.
His administration has also overseen major restructuring measures, including the merger of provinces and efforts to streamline the bureaucracy.
Lam has set an ambitious target of 10 per cent annual economic growth for Vietnam, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to strengthen its position as a major manufacturing hub.
Vietnam remains a one-party Communist state, where the ruling party has long relied on economic growth and political stability to maintain public legitimacy.