Vietnam Leadership Talks Intensify as Communist Party Convenes

Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party on Monday convened a key meeting to narrow down candidates for the country’s top leadership positions ahead of the five-yearly Party Congress scheduled for January, a process that will determine the direction of the one-party state for the next five years.

The two-day meeting of the party’s Central Committee comes as internal discussions over succession and continuity intensify. The committee is expected to finalise nominations for the most powerful posts, which will then be formally endorsed at the 14th Party Congress from January 19 to 25.

Opening the session, party chief To Lam called on members to conduct the selection process in a “straightforward, objective and impartial” manner, according to state media. Lâm took over as general secretary last year following the death of his predecessor and is seeking a second term.

• Vietnam party leadership jockeying intensifies as key Central Committee plenum begins
• Communist Party meets to shortlist top leaders ahead of January Party Congress
• Leadership choices set to shape Vietnam’s political and economic direction to 2030

As is typical of Vietnam’s tightly controlled political system, no official list of candidates has been disclosed, and authorities have not indicated whether the outcomes of the plenum will be made public once discussions conclude. Leadership deliberations are usually conducted behind closed doors, with announcements made only after consensus is reached.

In addition to the party chief, the Central Committee is reviewing candidates for the other core leadership positions, often referred to as the country’s “five pillars”: the president, prime minister, chair of the National Assembly, and the standing member of the party secretariat. These roles collectively shape policy, governance, and the balance of power within the state.

During his time in office, Lâm has overseen administrative restructuring and economic policy adjustments aimed at improving efficiency and growth, drawing mixed reactions from within the party and the business community.

Analysts say the leadership choices made in the coming weeks will influence Vietnam’s economic strategy, political stability, and foreign relations through the end of the decade. While the process lacks public debate, it remains central to ensuring continuity in a system that prioritises consensus and internal discipline.

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The January Party Congress is expected to confirm leadership appointments and outline policy priorities through 2030.