Vietnam's National Assembly elected Luong Cuong, a military general, as the country's new president on Monday. Cuong, aged 67, replaces To Lam, who continued to hold the presidency even after being appointed as the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party in August.
The presidency in Vietnam is largely ceremonial, involving interactions with foreign dignitaries, while the general secretary holds the most powerful position in the country.
In his inaugural speech, Cuong pledged to pursue foreign policies focused on independence, peace, and positioning Vietnam as a trusted partner in the international community.
Cuong, a veteran of the Vietnamese army with over four decades of service, has been a member of the Politburo since 2021.
This transition follows a period of political upheaval in Vietnam, including the passing of former party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who had been a dominant figure in Vietnamese leadership since 2011.
Trong's anti-corruption campaign, known as the 'blazing furnace,' targeted both business and political elites, causing some disruption in the country's bureaucracy and decision-making processes.
The appointment of Cuong as president is seen as a move to restore stability after recent turbulence in Vietnamese politics, according to experts.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Party Congress, Cuong's appointment is viewed as an effort to balance the influence of military and security factions within the government.
While some critics express concerns about potential increased repression under Cuong's leadership, others see it as a strategic decision to maintain the collective leadership principle within the Vietnamese political system.
The Communist Party Congress scheduled for early 2026 will be the next significant gathering of Vietnam's leaders.
Despite differing opinions on Cuong's presidency, his installment marks a significant development in Vietnam's political landscape.
