Vietnam party chief will push to bolster his position

Significance He was unanimously elected by the party’s Central Committee to succeed Nguyen Phu Trong, who died on July 19 after a period of illness. The CPV general secretary is the most powerful politician in Vietnam. The party’s next National Congress is due in 2026. Impacts Vietnam may struggle to implement institutional reforms aimed at further unlocking its economic potential. The authorities will try to act against dissidents abroad as part of continuing moves to restrict freedom of speech. Hanoi will steadfastly uphold its South China Sea claims despite strengthening ties with rival claimant Beijing.