HANOI. Vietnam’s parliament on Monday elected Army General Luong Cuong as the country’s new state president, following a period of political reshuffles and leadership changes. Cuong, 67, takes over the position from To Lam, who briefly held the role after being appointed in May and later assuming the more powerful post of party chief upon the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July.
Cuong’s election received unanimous support, with all 440 deputies present at the session voting in favor of his presidency. In his inaugural speech, Cuong emphasized strengthening Vietnam’s defense capabilities, pledging to build a more modern and agile military force. He stated his commitment to an independent and multilateral foreign policy, aiming to bolster the nation’s international standing.
“We will strengthen national defense and security, build up an army force that is revolutionary, well-trained, nimble, and modern,” Cuong vowed, reflecting Vietnam’s ongoing effort to diversify its military arsenal beyond its reliance on Russian-made weapons.
Before he was elected president, Cuong held a key role in the Communist Party’s secretariat, making him the fifth-highest-ranking official in the country. He is also a member of the Politburo, Vietnam’s top decision-making body. Despite the state president’s largely ceremonial role, Cuong will represent Vietnam in high-level diplomatic engagements with foreign leaders.
His predecessor, To Lam, during his short tenure as president, met with top leaders from China, Russia, and the United States, among other nations. The power dynamics in Vietnam, however, have shifted in recent years, with the role of party chief becoming the most influential position under Trong’s 13-year leadership, which expanded the office’s powers significantly.
Lam’s decision to step down from the presidency is seen by diplomats as part of a power-sharing compromise within the Communist Party. Analysts believe this arrangement will last until 2026 when the top positions in the Vietnamese government will be reorganized as part of the regular five-year political restructuring.
Vietnam, which has enjoyed political stability for decades, surprised many observers with recent leadership changes triggered by an anti-corruption campaign that saw the resignation of two state presidents and one parliament chairman in just 17 months. This latest election of General Luong Cuong is expected to bring a period of stability, crucial for the country’s political landscape and its export-driven economy, heavily backed by foreign multinationals.
The new president’s role, although ceremonial, will be pivotal in maintaining Vietnam’s standing in international diplomacy and overseeing the country’s strategic direction in defense and foreign policy.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
