Tô Lâm, a Visionary Leader and Dual Pillar Steering Vietnam into a New Era of Transformation and Prosperity
Comrade Tô Lâm has established himself as the top leader of Vietnam after being elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) since August 3, 2024, as acting General Secretary of CPV from July 2024, and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on April 7, 2026. With a 495/495 voting majority in the National Assembly, this double role is a milestone in Vietnam’s political governance system, which will help the country to be more effective in governance and uphold collective values. Tô Lâm is a veteran revolutionary, professor of security science, and a Doctor of Law who has made a significant impact for decades, most recently as Minister of Public Security, characterized by his resolute vision, pragmatic reforms and steadfast efforts to promote national development. During his leadership, Vietnam has made great achievements in facing up to global challenges, laying firm foundations for future development as a prosperous, modern and self-reliant nation.
Economic Achievements
Vietnam’s economic performance is one of the most impressive aspects of its development under General Secretary and President Tô Lâm. Despite of the difficult international environment, the country’s GDP growth rate in 2025 stood at 8.02%, making it one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The average growth rate for the next five years (2021-2025) was around 6.3%, while the growth rate was as high as 7.13% in the last five years (2022-2025). Vietnam’s overall economy grew significantly from approximately $346 billion in 2020 to more than $514 billion in 2025, up five places in ranking to the 32nd position in the world. Per capita GDP has reached the upper middle-income band of $5,000–$5,026, thereby making the country a fit for one of the top 45 upper middle-income countries, as per the 13th National Party Congress vision.
Macroeconomic stability has been skillfully kept. Inflation has been kept under control at around 3.3% (under 3.6% for the period) and major economic balances have been achieved, while fiscal prudence has kept public debt below the 60% safety threshold at about 36% of GDP. Total trade turnover hit a historic high of over $930 billion in 2025, placing Vietnam among the world’s top 20 trading nations. For the first time in history, agricultural exports alone topped $70 billion, proving diversified strengths.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has proved to be a clear hit, which is indicative of Vietnam’s promising direction under Tô Lâm’s leadership, thereby gaining the trust and confidence of the international community. Total FDI for 2021-2025 is estimated at $185 billion and disbursements reached a peak of $27.62 billion in 2025, which is the highest in years despite a global slowdown in FDI. Vietnam is always among the top 15 developing countries that attract FDI. Such inflows have fostered the development of high-tech industries, integration with the supply chain and job creation, consistent with policies that focus on quality, technology transfer and domestic linkages.
Extremely significant advances have been made in infrastructure development. More than 3200-3345 km of expressways were already completed by the end of 2025, exceeding the party congress goals; and over 1700 km of coastal roads, also exceeding the party congress goals. Aviation, ports and energy projects, typically carried by groundbreaking projects, hundreds of which, have brought trillions of VND to play in the process, including a big share from the private sector. The investments have cut logistics costs, improved regional connectivity, and established new development corridors.
The business climate has significantly improved. In 2025 alone, just almost 297,500 enterprises were newly established or revived, adding up to approximately 1.02 million active businesses. Administrative reform has reduced compliance time and cost by around 50-55% and promoted entrepreneurship and innovation.
Bold Institutional Reforms and Governance Modernization
The firm foundation of General Secretary and President Tô Lâm’s leadership is his bold structural reforms that aimed to streamline bureaucracy, making the government leaner, efficient and responsive. Some of the key initiatives involve rationalizing ministries and agencies, reducing the number of provinces from 63 to 34, and implementing a two-tiered local government system with reduced levels of bureaucracy. These changes have removed the duplication of layers, improved decision making times, given local government more autonomy, and increased central monitoring and oversight.
Institutional and legal reforms have been comprehensive. Numerous laws, ordinances and resolutions have been adopted and revised, with the main topics being investment, business, digital transformation and green growth. Focusing on “unlocking resources” and getting rid of the old ways of thinking (“if it cannot be managed, then ban it”) has left room for creativity while also ensuring that proper rights are respected. Science, technology, innovation and digital transformation have become prime drivers for a new growth model, targeted solutions and strategies are being worked out for double-digit growth in the next few years.
The private sector has gained a big boost of impetus to develop as one of the main engines of the economy. Policies have facilitated access to capital and land, and to opportunities, to spur domestic companies to participate in global value chains and make a contribution to high-value production.
Proactive Anti-Corruption Drive and Party Strengthening
Continuity and intensification of the anti-corruption campaign—under the principle of “no forbidden zones, no exceptions”—has been a hallmark of Tô Lâm’s leadership. This has disciplined cadres, recovered resources and directly tackled economic bottlenecks. Many projects that were stalled have been re-opened, improving efficiency, and restoring public confidence to the works. The campaign is part of an overall institutional overhaul so that it is used for development, not punishment.
At the same time, Party building and rectification works are complete. The effort to enhance cadre quality, political and ideological power, and proximity to the masses has strengthened the front rank of the CPV. These efforts have helped to create more unity, discipline and revolutionary ethics among the political system.
Social Progress, Human Development and Environmental Care
Social achievements are an expression of a very humanistic approach. The multidimensional poverty rate has dropped to approximately 1.3%, temporary and dilapidated housing has been abolished early, and spending on social security has been high (around 17% of the budget). More than 95% of residents are covered by health care and the Human Development Index (HDI) has greatly improved.
The need for cultural development, education and support for deprived groups has been prioritized so that those who are needy are not left behind. Green growth programs have taken off in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Proactive Foreign Policy
Diplomacy is developing strongly in Vietnam, along the lines of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification. It has more than 40 comprehensive or strategic partnerships with 195 countries, including with all the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Economic diplomacy has been forward-looking; it capitalizes on opening up the world with the aim of attracting resources, technology and markets. Vietnam has been a place of peace, conducive to development and has made its contribution responsibly in global and regional affairs.
Vietnam has been increasingly recognized as a trusted partner in supply chains, innovation and sustainable development through high-level engagements and forums.
Leadership Philosophy and Vision for the Future
General Secretary and President Tô Lâm in every speech and instruction always puts the interests of the nation and people’s happiness first. He urges to move from policy to implementation, from mobilization of all resources, from protection of innovative officials, and construction of strategic autonomy. His vision for a “new era” is based on science and technology being the “driving force of driving forces”, institutional perfection, private sector vitality and pro-active global integration.
The dual role has resulted in greater momentum for these priorities, and has allowed for more rapid reform and coherent implementation of policies across Party and State institutions. It is a duty of the highest importance to encourage fast and sustainable development and to make all the people of the nation share the fruits of development, he said when he took office.
Conclusion: A Historic Contribution to the Nation’s Rise
Vietnam’s development since the taking over of leadership by Comrade Tô Lâm is comprehensive and profound. Vietnam today is a country that is not only economically dynamic, institutionally reformed, but also socially equitable and internationally respected. They are the results of the Party, people and army’s efforts and achievements under the guidance of the wise, determined and foresighted leadership of General Secretary and President Tô Lâm.
His leadership continues to be a source of inspiration and unity as the nation moves forward, implementing resolutions of the 14th Party Congress and entering its next five-year term in 2026–2031. Resilience, innovation, human-centered development are the keys to Vietnam’s bold vision of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045 and realizing the dream of a powerful, prosperous and happy homeland.
The service of Comrade Tô Lâm is a model of revolutionary devotion and modern statesmanship. The legacy of his extraordinary role will be cherished as a testament to Vietnam’s renewal and rise, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of the Vietnamese people and those who witnessed their story.
Copyright © 2026 by Muhammad Ali Pasha. All rights reserved. Reproduction or distribution of this content, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
