Vietnam’s To Lam Takes Presidency, Tightening One-Party Control

Chinese and China-focused outlets stress that Vietnam’s new setup mirrors China’s system, where the party chief also serves as president, and present this as a sign of political stability. They frame To Lam’s planned visit to China as an early sign that Hanoi wants to deepen ties with Beijing on trade, infrastructure and party-to-party cooperation. They expect closer coordination on South China Sea management and economic links, while downplaying any suggestion that Vietnam is drifting away from Western partners.

• •Chinese coverage highlights that To Lam’s dual role gives Vietnam a leadership structure similar to China’s, with a single top figure overseeing party and state.
• •Reports in Chinese outlets say To Lam chose China for his first foreign trip as president, underlining the priority Hanoi places on relations with Beijing.
• •Chinese commentary predicts stronger cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China on governance and anti-corruption campaigns.
• •China-focused media suggest the visit from April 14 to 17 will feature talks on trade, investment and cross-border infrastructure projects.
• •Chinese outlets argue that a stronger, more unified leadership in Hanoi will make it easier to manage disputes in the South China Sea through direct talks.