Vietnam Elects Tô Lâm as State President with Unanimous National Assembly Vote

On 07/04/2026, Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly unanimously elected Tô Lâm as the State President for the 2026–2031 term, marking a key leadership transition at the start of the country’s new legislative cycle. The vote took place in Hanoi following the general election held on 15/03/2026, with all 495 attending deputies supporting Lâm’s appointment. Tô Lâm, who already serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), succeeds Lương Cường as President. By holding both the top party and state positions simultaneously, Lâm consolidates leadership authority across Vietnam’s political system. This dual role places him in charge of both party direction and state governance, aligning the country’s leadership structure more closely with models where authority is concentrated at the top level. As part of his five-year presidential term from 2026 to 2031, Lâm will also chair the National Defense and Security Council and serve as Secretary of the Central Military Commission. These roles extend his oversight into national defense and security policy, reinforcing his position across key state and party institutions. The transition reflects continuity within Vietnam’s leadership while also redefining how executive authority is structured. The National Assembly session also confirmed other senior leadership appointments. Lê Minh Hưng was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, taking over executive government responsibilities, while Trần Thanh Mẫn was re-elected as Chairman of the National Assembly. These appointments completed the formation of Vietnam’s top leadership framework for the new term, following the March 2026 elections.