Vietnam’s top leader, To Lam, was unanimously reappointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years, pledging reforms aimed at accelerating growth in the export-driven nation.
In a largely expected outcome, 68-year-old Lam was re-elected by all 180 members of the newly formed central committee at the conclusion of the party congress, held every five years to set key policies and leadership positions.
Regarded as a bold reformist, Lam told the congress he seeks more changes within the party, which has ruled Vietnam unopposed for decades, emphasizing a system based on “integrity, talent, courage, and competence.” Earlier this week, speaking in a red-carpeted hall beneath a towering statue of party founder Ho Chi Minh, Lam promised annual economic growth exceeding 10% throughout the decade—a goal formally adopted in the party resolution on Friday.
Ambitious Growth Goals
Craig Martin, chairman of Dynam Capital, which manages a Vietnam-based fund, called Lam’s 10% growth target “quite ambitious” but praised his business-friendly approach. By contrast, the World Bank forecasts an average annual expansion of 6.5% this year and next. Vietnam’s benchmark stock index rose nearly 40% in 2025 and is up 5.5% so far this year, though it fell 0.6% on Friday.
Since assuming party leadership in mid-2024, Lam has overseen rapid growth underpinned by sweeping reforms and bureaucratic cuts, which have drawn both support and criticism as tens of thousands of civil servants lost their jobs. To secure backing from rival factions within the party, including the powerful military, Lam reportedly moved early to consolidate support ahead of the congress.
Concerns over his plans to strengthen private conglomerates at the expense of state-owned enterprises prompted Lam to issue a directive before the congress affirming the “leading role” of state enterprises, including army-controlled telecom and defence giant Viettel.
“He normally meticulously prepares for his moves,” said Le Hong Hiep, senior fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute. Hiep noted that Lam, formerly state security minister, had strategically navigated the party hierarchy to reach the top position in 2024 amid prolonged health issues of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong.
Presidential Ambitions
After his re-election, Lam pledged to maintain party unity. He is also seeking to become Vietnam’s president, a position currently held by an army general, with an announcement expected soon. Analysts say Lam’s dual ambitions—similar to Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power in China—could challenge Vietnam’s traditional system of collective leadership and internal checks.
Shortly after his re-election, Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message, describing the two nations as a “community with a shared future.”
The party also announced the 19 members of its Politburo, its top decision-making body. Lam tops the list, followed by current parliamentary head Tran Thanh Man, party heavyweight Tran Cam Tu, and former central bank governor Le Minh Hung, who is seen as a potential prime minister. Lower on the list is army general and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang, considered the country’s second-most powerful figure, while incumbent Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Luong remain in key positions.