To Lam set to serve as both Vietnam party chief and president after congress

At its party congress in Hanoi, Vietnam’s Communist Party bolstered the power of To Lam, making him both party chief and, pending formal political steps, president of the nation, the New York Times reported. The twice-a-decade congress ended two days ahead of schedule with a new Politburo list that indicates approval of his dual role.

Mr. Lam, 68, a former minister of public security, has promoted an agenda of unleashing the private sector, digitizing government and reducing bureaucratic obstacles. In speeches at the congress he called for "breakthroughs and action," urging the government to "choose correctly, deploy quickly, do thoroughly, measure by results" and to "unlock and liberate productive forces and all resources." State media has described his approach as a "streamlining of revolution," and party documents frame it as a major economic reform effort comparable to changes in the late 1980s.

The new Politburo includes several members viewed as Mr. Lam’s allies. The meeting named Le Minh Hung, 55, a finance-background official, as the new prime minister, and left Tran Thanh Man, 63, as chair of the National Assembly.

Key Topics

Politics, To Lam, Vietnam Communist Party, Hanoi, Politburo, Le Minh Hung