Chuyện Việt Nam: Tổng Bí Thư Tô Lâm nay kiêm luôn Chủ Tịch Nước

April 9, 2026·16 min·1 clip

How does To Lam holding both party and state leadership roles change Vietnam's power structure?

The episode begins with an introduction to the topic of To Lam's dual leadership roles in Vietnam. Hong Nga, a journalist, explains that public attention is focused on the 16th Congress and the closure of the government's 5-year term. She defines 'universalization' as holding two positions in Vietnamese power agencies, noting To Lam was already head of the VNCC and now takes on the presidency. The discussion mentions that this issue was raised months ago during the National Assembly, with some opposition leading to constitutional amendments. Nga compares To Lam's power to China's Xi Jinping, suggesting Xi has more consolidated authority due to China's global strength and longer leadership tenure. She contrasts Vietnam's historical emphasis on collective decision-making with the current trend toward individual leadership under To Lam. The episode explores how the Ministry of Politics still holds significant decision-making power, with changes expected to be gradual. It then shifts to the new cabinet under Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, highlighting that five Politburo members are included, up from previous terms. Nga points out that the new Foreign Minister, Le Hoai Trung, is a Politburo member, indicating a greater focus on foreign affairs. She notes this aligns with Vietnam's expanding international cooperation and 'bamboo diplomacy' approach. The discussion emphasizes that Le Hoai Trung's higher status allows more flexibility in foreign engagements compared to his predecessor. Nga also observes that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, born in 1970, is relatively young, with 10 out of 23 cabinet members also from that generation, marking a shift toward younger leadership. The episode concludes with thanks and promotional content for SBS Vietnamese.

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