To Lam
Vietnamese President To Lam was confirmed 03 August 2024 as the new chief of the Communist Party after his predecessor died. Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong died on 19 July 2024 at the age of 80, domestic media reported, after serving for 13 years as the most powerful leader in the Southeast Asian country’s one-party political system. President To Lam assumed the duties of Nguyen Phu Trong, who was focusing on an unspecified treatment for his health, the party said on 18 July 2024. The extraordinary move came after months of speculation that Trong's health was weakening. To Lam, 66, was named president in May 2024. As acting general secretary, he is now Vietnam’s top leader and will oversee the work of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat,
With 472/473 National Assembly delegates voting in favor, on 22 May 2024 the 7th Session of the 15th the National Assembly passed a Resolution to elect General To Lam, Politburo member, Minister of Public Security to the position of President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the term 2021 - 2026. He was the only candidate on the secret ballot or the job. The vote followed his nomination by the ruling Communist Party last week.
Lam’s rise has not been without controversy, as the minister for public security, which deals with the monitoring of dissent and surveillance of activists in the dictatorship. Rights campaigners say the government has in recent years stepped up a crackdown on civil society groups, and the Vietnam-focused rights organisation The 88 Project says 200 activists are currently in prison.
Thousands of people – including several senior government and business leaders – have been caught up in a sweeping crackdown on corruption known as “blazing furnace” in which Lam, who is deputy head of the steering committee on anticorruption, played a central role. Lam took over from Vo Van Thuong, who resigned in March over what the party called “violations and shortcomings”, after just a year in the job. The next month the National Assembly chairman also resigned over “violations and shortcomings“.
Analysts have said that Lam, who is deputy head of the steering committee on anticorruption, had weaponised its investigations to take down his political rivals. In his first remarks after being confirmed as president, he told parliament that he would “resolutely and persistently continue the fight against corruption”. Carl Thayer, emeritus professor and Vietnam expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, said the election should restore some calm, albeit temporarily. Ageing party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s third five-year term ends in 2026 – or earlier if he steps down before his mandate expires.
“To Lam could use his position as one of the ‘four pillars’ as a stepping stone to become general secretary,” said Thayer, referring to the party chief job. “With the elevation to the office of president, it becomes clear that there are more ambitions for To Lam than retirement,” said Florian Feyerabend, the representative in Vietnam for Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank, noting the position could be a “launchpad” to secure his position as party chief. Feyerabend said continued infighting was “the modus operandi of the system” and was likely to continue until Nguyen Phu Trong’s successor was chosen.
No longer at the helm of the Ministry of Public Security, Lam “may be in a weaker position to take down Pham Minh Chinh”, the prime minister and only other contender for general secretary, said Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington.
The state president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the country’s top four political positions, the so-called “four pillars”. The others are the party chief, the prime minister and the parliament speaker. Carl Thayer, emeritus professor and Vietnam expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, said the election should restore some calm, albeit temporarily. Ageing party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s third five-year term ends in 2026 – or earlier if he steps down before his mandate expires.
After being elected, the new President took the oath of office according to regulations. "Under the sacred red flag with yellow star of the Fatherland, before the National Assembly and my compatriots and voters nationwide, I, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, swear: Absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, to "The people, with the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, strive to successfully complete the tasks assigned by the Party, State and People," President To Lam swore.
On the morning of May 23, at the Presidential Palace, General To Lam, Politburo member, President met with leaders, officials, civil servants, public employees, and Office workers. Also attending were Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan; leaders of the President's Office and comrades in the Central Public Security Party Committee, leaders of the Ministry of Public Security. Speaking at the meeting, President To Lam respectfully thanked the Vice President for his affection and respectful and cordial welcome; leaders, officers and employees of the President's Office.
President To Lam affirmed that at all times, the President throughout his terms has made great efforts to fully and effectively carry out his duties and powers according to the provisions of the Constitution. The results of the President's work through the terms of office have made an important contribution to the entire Party, people and army in promoting the patriotic tradition, will, and strength of great national unity, strengthening construction, rectify the Party and make the political system clean and strong; Comprehensively and synchronously promote Doi Moi, socio-economic development, improve the material and spiritual life of the people; resolutely fight against corruption and negativity; consolidate and strengthen national defense and security potential, firmly protect the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. At the same time, promote foreign relations and international integration more and more deeply, enhancing Vietnam's position in the region and the world.
Tô Lâm is a prominent Vietnamese politician who has had a notable career and life dedicated to public service, playing a significant role in the country's public security sector. Tô Lâm served as the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam since April 2016. In this role, he oversaw the nation's police force and internal security matters. He is a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which is the central policymaking body in the country. Tô Lâm is a member of the National Assembly of Vietnam, representing the security sector. As Minister of Public Security, Tô Lâm has been responsible for various initiatives aimed at maintaining national security, combating crime, and ensuring social order. He has been involved in several high-profile anti-corruption campaigns, which have been a significant focus of the Vietnamese government in recent years. Under his leadership, the Ministry of Public Security has also focused on enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats and ensure the safety of digital infrastructure.
He was born July 10, 1957 in Nghia Tru commune, Van Giang district, Hung Yên Province, in northern Vietnam, a region known for its historical and cultural significance. Tô Lâm has a background in security and law enforcement, having received extensive training and education in these fields. Tô Lâm's early education laid the foundation for his future career in public security and law enforcement. His academic pursuits were focused on subjects relevant to governance, law, and security, culminating with a Doctor of Laws degree, aligning with the career path he later took. He has been involved in the public security sector for many years, rising through the ranks to his current position.
Date of recruitment to the People's Police was October 1974. From 1974-1979 he was a student of People's Security University (now People's Security Academy). From 1979-1988 he was an Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs (now Ministry of Public Security).
Before ascending to high-ranking positions within the Vietnamese government, Tô Lâm started his career in various roles within the public security sector. Beginning his career at the local level, he gained practical experience in handling security issues and public safety. Specialized training in security and law enforcement, equipped him with the skills needed for higher responsibilities. Tô Lâm's dedication and effectiveness in his roles led to steady promotions within the Ministry of Public Security.
To Lam joined the Party 22 August 1981. From 1988-1990 he was Deputy Head of Department, General Department of Security, Ministry of Home Affairs (now Ministry of Public Security. From 1990-1993 he was Head of Department, General Department of Security, Ministry of Home Affairs (now Ministry of Public Security). From 1993-1997 he was Deputy Director, General Department of Security, Ministry of Public Security From 1997-2006 he was Director, General Department of Security. Police. From 6/2006 12/2009 he was Deputy Director General of the General Department of Security, Ministry of Public Security.
In April 2007 was promoted to the rank of Major General. From 12/2009 he was Deputy Director General in charge of General Security Department 1, Ministry of Public Security. From 02/2010 7/2010 he was Secretary of the Party Committee, General Director of General Security Department 1, Member of the Central Public Security Party Committee, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in July 2010. From 8/2010 1/2011 he was Member of the Central Public Security Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security. From 8/2011-1/2016 he was Member of the 11th Party Central Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Public Security Commission, Deputy Minister of Public Security, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in September 2014
From 1/2016 3/2016 he was a Member of the XII Politburo, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Public Security Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security. From April 2016, he was a Member of the Politburo (terms XII, XIII): Member of the National Defense and Security Council; Member of the Government Party Committee: Secretary of the Central Public Security Party Committee, Minister of Public Security; Delegate to the 14th and 15th National Assembly, Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention of Corruption (now the Central Steering Committee for Prevention of Corruption and Negligence) for the period July 2016 - October 2017, holding the position of Head of the Committee Directed the Central Highlands and in January 2019 was promoted to the rank of General.
Lam also drew anger in Vietnam in 2021 when celebrity chef Nusret Gokce, known as “Salt Bae”, uploaded a video of Lam eating a gold-encrusted steak at his London restaurant, while Vietnam was under COVID-19 lockdown. The video went viral before the Turkish chef removed it. A noodle seller who later posted a video imitating “Salt Bae” by sprinkling herbs on noodle soup was sentenced to five years in prison for “anti-state propaganda”.
In Germany the Berlin Supreme Court said Lam commissioned the 2017 kidnapping of a former Vietnamese politician and businessman from Berlin Tiergarten. After his abduction to Vietnam Trinh Xuan Thanh was given a double life sentence for corruption charges in Vietnam.
From 17-19 October 2022, US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas traveled to the Republic of Singapore to attend Singapore International Cyber Week. Secretary Mayorkas met with Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm to reaffirm the strong partnership with Vietnam for a free and open Indo-Pacific and discuss the importance of respect for human rights. Together, the two countries are strengthening a united efforts to combat illegal activity impacting the region, the United States, and the world.
He spearheaded efforts to modernize the police force and improve its effectiveness through reforms and the adoption of new technologies. Tô Lâm worked to strengthen international cooperation in security matters, collaborating with other countries to address transnational crime and terrorism. Tô Lâm is seen as a key figure in Vietnam's efforts to maintain stability and security. His tenure as Minister of Public Security has been marked by a strong emphasis on law enforcement and public order.
Tô Lâm's early life and career set the stage for his rise to prominence in Vietnam's public security sector. His background in Hung Yên Province, coupled with his dedication to public service and extensive professional training, enabled him to climb the ranks and eventually become the Minister of Public Security. His journey reflects a commitment to maintaining national security and public safety, which continues to define his contributions to the country. Growing up during a period of significant change in Vietnam, including post-war recovery and economic reforms, shaped his understanding of security and governance. Guidance from senior officials and mentors within the security sector who recognized his potential and helped foster his career development.
Awards
His foreign language proficiency is English
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