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To Lam

(蘇林 )

To Lam
蘇林
To Lam: A career police officer for over four decades, he holds the rank of four-star General and is a Doctor of Law. He previously served as Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security from 2016 to 2024, and briefly as President in 2024.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) holds a welcome ceremony for Vietnamese President To Lam at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People, prior to their talks in Beijing, on April 15. Photo: Xinhua
China-Asean relations

As I see it | Vietnam and China are now perfectly aligned

The emerging partnership enables Vietnam to preserve diplomatic flexibility and advance economic diversification in the face of US pressure.

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South China Sea

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

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Comac

VietJet Air to lease up to 10 C909 jets in boost for Chinese aircraft maker

China-Asean relations

Xi tells Vietnamese counterpart they should ‘jointly oppose unilateralism’

On To Lam’s state visit, Chinese president also urges keeping ‘supply chains stable and unimpeded’ as Iran war deepens global energy crisis.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (second left) and his wife Peng Liyuan (left) welcome Vietnamese President To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Vietnam News Agency/AFP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

Vietnam

Asian Angle | Who is Vietnam’s new Prime Minister Le Minh Hung?

The ex-central banker has the credentials to succeed. Whether he has the political capital remains to be seen.

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Vietnam

To Lam emerges as Vietnam’s ‘supreme leader’ after being elected president

The Communist Party chief is the first person to secure the top two jobs through the party’s normal leadership selection processes.

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Communist Party head To Lam is sworn in as Vietnam’s president on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Vietnam

Why Vietnam is leaning on Russia to weather energy turmoil

The energy shortage is ‘seriously threatening’ Vietnam’s growth objective and could dent the new leadership’s legitimacy, analysts say.

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China-Asean relations

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Agreement between naval commanders ahead of 40th joint exercise comes as Vietnamese leader To Lam hails ties with China as ‘top priority’.

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China’s military drills

In joint patrols with China, Vietnam steers course between 2 powers

The Gulf of Tonkin will be the backdrop this week for naval activities despite a five-decade maritime dispute.

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Vessels from Chinese and Vietnamese navies take part in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin in November last year. Photo: Xinhua
China-Asean relations

Will Paracels dispute overshadow China-Vietnam drive for closer strategic ties?

Foreign, defence and public security ministers are to meet after images suggested China had started land reclamation work at Antelope Reef.

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The two countries have been working to strengthen ties in recent year. Photo: Shutterstock
Vietnam

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

Vietnam

US to remove Vietnam from tech export control list, Hanoi says

Donald Trump’s reported pledge follows a massive US$37 billion spending spree by Vietnamese airlines on US aerospace contracts.

Indonesia

Indonesia seals ‘great’ US trade deal, agrees to send 8,000 troops to Gaza

A US general said Jakarta will take a deputy commander role in the international stabilisation force in Gaza.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (centre) attends the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Vietnam

‘Everyone became greedy’: how Vietnam’s crypto gold rush ended in ruins

Vietnam’s crypto boom faces a harsh winter as investors lose fortunes, bankruptcies and lay-offs roil the industry.

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A Vietnamese cryptocurrency investor looks at the latest bitcoin values on a laptop in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

Opinion | Vietnam’s renewed nuclear power push faces formidable hurdles

Money, corruption, a lack of skilled staff and other factors may derail Hanoi’s goal of building its first nuclear power plant by 2031.

Vietnam

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

While noting that ‘there is little risk of a war’, document urges vigilance to prevent the US from finding a pretext to invade Vietnam.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam gets another 5-year term as Communist Party chief

Lam, who is also seeking to become president, has pledged to speed up growth in the export-reliant country.

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam (second right) holds up a bouquet after being re-elected to the position in Hanoi on Friday. Photo: VNA via AP
Vietnam

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

The Communist Party’s general secretary is already behaving as if he ‘expects a mandate’ to add the presidency to his portfolio, experts say.

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US-Asean relations

Foot in the door or trap? Risks of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Southeast Asia

Nations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam seeks to tighten grip on power as party congress begins

The party’s general secretary is eyeing a dual role similar to Xi Jinping’s in neighbouring China.

Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam holds a meeting at the party’s central office in Hanoi on November 21, 2025. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam may secure dual role as party and state head in rare move

The proposal is likely to be endorsed at a party congress scheduled to take place in Hanoi next month.

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Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam. Photo: Reuters
Vietnam

Asian Angle | The hidden domestic agenda behind Vietnam’s baffling foreign policy

To Lam’s recent pilgrimages to North Korea and Cuba signal ideological loyalty, even as he pushes a hard-nosed reform agenda at home.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Families facing heartbreaking uncertainty in aftermath of Hong Kong fire tragedy

Grief and desperation as relatives wait in anguish for news of loved ones missing in devastating Tai Po estate blaze.

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Vietnam

Letters | Vietnam should expect sterner tests of its diplomatic skills

Readers discuss Hanoi’s feat of securing strong partnerships with major powers, the task awaiting Taiwan’s new KMT chair, and the impact of strict rules on Hong Kong’s street life.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) shakes hands with visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam in Downing Street, London, on October 29. Photo: Pool via AP
Vietnam

Pentagon chief Hegseth wants closer Vietnam ties amid arms dealings

The US has delivered three cutters to the Vietnamese coastguard and three T-6 trainer aircraft, from an order of 12, while intending to do more.

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Vietnam’s Defense Minister Phan Van Giang (right) and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shake hands during a welcoming ceremony at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Hanoi on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

Opinion | Vietnam’s defence pact with North Korea a step back into the shadows

Vietnam’s future depends not on nostalgia or political theatre but on its capacity to engage openly with the modern world.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s top leader heads to North Korea for first visit in 18 years

The visit will be more about strengthening political ties and cultural exchanges than making trade or military deals, analysts say.

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