Vietnam's Top Security Official To Lam Ascends to the Presidency

To Lam, known for overseeing police and intelligence operations amid human rights abuses and high-profile political arrests, is now the new head of state in Vietnam.

Vietnam's National Assembly has confirmed To Lam, the country's top security official, as its new president. While the presidency is largely ceremonial, experts believe Lam's new role strengthens his position to become the next Communist Party general secretary, the most influential political position in Vietnam.

Lam has overseen police and intelligence operations during a time when Vietnam's secret service has been accused of violating international law. Human rights groups have criticized the crackdown on dissent and suppression of civil society under Lam's leadership.

As the new head of state, Lam is in a "very strong position" to become the next Communist Party general secretary, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The current general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong, is 80 years old and may not seek another term after 2026.

Lam's confirmation as president underscores the unprecedented instability in Vietnam's political system. The ongoing anti-corruption campaign has shaken the political establishment and resulted in multiple top-level changes in government. This instability has spooked investors and dampened economic growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is seen as another major contender to succeed Trong as general secretary. However, the recent confirmation of Vuong Dinh Hue as National Assembly speaker has reduced his chances.

Meanwhile, Vietnam faces economic challenges and uncertainty. Economic growth slipped to 5.1% last year from 8% in 2022 as exports slowed. Investors are wary due to the scandals and uncertainty created by the anti-corruption campaign.

During Lam's years heading the Public Security Ministry, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have strongly criticized Vietnam's harassment and intimidation of critics. Numerous individuals have been sentenced to prison for expressing critical opinions about the government.

Under Lam's watch, civil society has faced further curbs, foreign aid restrictions introduced in 2021 were tightened in 2023, and laws were introduced to censor social media. Ben Swanton of The 88 Project warned of further repression and censorship under Lam's presidency.

German authorities accuse Vietnam's secret service of kidnapping and abducting a businessman, Trinh Xuan Thanh, in Berlin in 2017. Thanh was sentenced to life imprisonment in Vietnam. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office identified the operation as a "flagrant violation of German and international law."

The kidnapping scandal has strained relations between Germany and Vietnam. Germany has summoned Vietnam's ambassador and expelled its intelligence attaché. Despite Vietnam's insistence that Thanh surrendered voluntarily, evidence suggests he was abducted by Vietnamese agents.