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Oct 204 min read

From Võ Văn Thưởng to Tô Lâm: The 2024 Leadership Transition in Vietnam

By: Kripa Dev


The author is a second-year master’s student at Jindal School of International Affairs. She can be reached at


Image Source: Snapshot of the newsletter


In 2024, Vietnam's political scene underwent significant changes, owing primarily to the governing Communist Party's continuous anti-corruption campaign. The campaign led by Nguyễn Phú Trọng has resulted in substantial changes in the country's highest posts. Võ Văn Thưởng resigned as President in August 2024, and Tô Lâm, the former Minister of Public Security, took over. This leadership turnover reflects both internal Party dynamics and Vietnam's larger governance issues. The following is a thorough comparison of the two leaders, with emphasis on their histories and leadership characteristics. 

 

Tô Lâm 

Võ Văn Thưởng 

Date of Birth: July 10, 1957 

Date of Birth: December 13, 1970 

Ethnicity: Kinh 

Ethnicity: Kinh  

Place of Birth: Nghia Tru Commune, Hung Yen Province 

Place of Birth: Hai Duong Province 

Date of Party Admission: August 22, 1981 

Date of Party Admission: November 18, 1993 

Academic Titles and Degrees: Professor, Doctor of Law 

Academic Titles and Degrees: Master’s in Philosophy 

Political Positions: 

- Member of the Party Central Committee in the 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures 

- Member of the Party Central Committee in the 11th, 12th, and 13th tenures 

- Member of the Politburo (12th, 13th tenures) 

- Member of the Politburo (12th, 13th tenures) 

- Minister of Public Security (2016-2024) 

- President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (2023-2024) 

- General of People's Public Security of Vietnam (2019) 

- Secretary of the Communist Party's Central Committee 

- President of Vietnam (2024) 

End of Presidency: August 2024 

 

The Fall of Võ Văn Thưởng 


Võ Văn Thưởng's presidency was short, lasting slightly over a year. Some hailed his ascendancy to the Presidency in 2023 as a sign of modernisation within the Communist Party, seeing him as a protégé of past Party leaders and a possible reformer. However, his collapse was part of the greater anti-corruption effort headed by the Party's General Secretary, Nguyễn Phú Trọng. 

Radio Free Asia stated that his removal was due to internal power struggles within the Party, while the official narrative remained focused on combating corruption at all levels of government. Thưởng, although appealing to younger members of the Party and engaging with varied social groups, was unable to endure the scrutiny of the campaign. His departure constituted a watershed moment in Vietnam's leadership, highlighting the Party's determination to prioritise discipline and loyalty over reformist tendencies.


Tô Lâm's Ascension to Presidency 


In contrast, Tô Lâm's ascent shows a more conventional and security-oriented approach. His extensive experience in public security, together with his steadfast commitment to the Party's objectives, made him an ideal choice for a leadership role at a period of internal consolidation. Tô Lâm, who served as Minister of Public Security for eight years, is recognised for his emphasis on law enforcement and maintaining the Party's grip over governmental agencies. His rise is viewed as part of the Party's efforts to stabilise the political scene following the upheaval of the anti-corruption campaign. 

Trait 

Tô Lâm 

Võ Văn Thưởng 

Charisma 

Reserved, formal in demeanor 

Charismatic, connected with younger Party members 

Integrity 

Seen as loyal to the Party’s anti-corruption mission 

Viewed as a reformist, but fell under corruption scrutiny 

Emotional Intelligence 

Focuses on discipline, less on personal relationships 

Better at navigating political relationships and alliances 

Resilience 

Long political career; strong under pressure 

Ambitious but crumbled under the anti-corruption drive 

Decision-Making Style 

Methodical, prefers analytical decisions 

More intuitive, reliant on political allies 

Empathy 

Focuses on maintaining security and order 

Stronger public connection, empathized with Party members 

Adaptability 

Adjusts to Party directives; consistent over time 

Struggled with changing political environment 

Assertiveness 

Confident in enforcing Party rules and security 

Subtle, less assertive in Party politics 

Visionary Leadership 

Focused on stability and security 

Seen as forward-thinking but lacked long-term strategy 

Ambition 

Steadily ambitious, careful in approach 

Fast rise, but ambition was undermined by scandals 

  Observations and Sources 


Tô Lâm’s traits like assertiveness and focus on control are clear from his background in the Ministry of Public Security. His ability to command loyalty and maintain stability is largely due to his behind-the-scenes influence within the Party​. 

Võ Văn Thưởng’s downfall was tied to his lack of resilience and adaptability when facing corruption allegations. His political career was shaped by charisma and vision but lacked the stability needed during a time of intense scrutiny. 


Conclusion: What’s Next for Vietnam under Tô Lâm? 


With Tô Lâm currently in power, Vietnam's future is likely to be built on maintaining internal stability, law enforcement, and security. His Presidency represents a shift away from Võ Văn Thưởng's brief rule and towards a more traditional and regulated government. As the Party continues to clean house under the cover of anti-corruption, Tô Lâm's calm and disciplined leadership may give short-term stability, but it is unclear if Vietnam's political landscape will witness any substantial adjustments in policy or governance style in the future. 

In the long run, Tô Lâm's Presidency would most likely focus on strengthening the Party's hold on power and continuing the anti-corruption campaign, but with fewer public-facing changes than his predecessor. 


References



The views expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not reflect the views or opinions of Diplomania or its members.

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