Vietnam president will be key ally to party leader

Significance

He replaces Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was forced to resign in January. Phuc’s removal was linked to the anti-corruption campaign led by Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV); the party blamed Phuc for wrongdoing by officials under his supervision. Trong is widely expected to step down as CPV chief before the party’s next National Congress in 2026.

Impacts

• There will be no major changes to domestic or foreign policy in the short-to-medium term at least.
• More corruption scandals are likely, especially in and around the property and financial services sectors.
• Fear of being accused of graft could hinder decision-making by officials.