Vietnam’s New President Sworn In Amid Ongoing Anti-Corruption Drive

Vietnam has appointed a new president amid ongoing anti-corruption campaigns, following the resignation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc earlier this year.

On March 2, Vo Van Thuong was sworn in as Vietnam’s new president, taking office for the remainder of the 2021-2026 term. At 52, Thuong is the youngest president in Vietnamese history. He received 98.38% of the National Assembly votes, indicating strong support for his leadership.

Thuong, a Standing Member of the Communist Party’s Secretariat, has close ties to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who launched Vietnam’s anti-corruption campaign known as the “blazing furnace” in 2011. In his first speech as president, Thuong pledged loyalty to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and its policies, including Trong’s anti-corruption efforts.

President Phuc’s resignation on January 17 came amid corruption scandals tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two major scandals implicated high-ranking officials in bribery and fraud. The first involved Viet A Technologies JSC, which allegedly sold overpriced and falsely advertised COVID-19 tests, generating $175 million in revenue between March 2020 and December 2021. The second scandal involved bribes totaling $7 million tied to government-organized repatriation flights.

Several officials were removed from office, including Deputy Prime Ministers Vu Duc Dam and Pham Binh Minh, and Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung. Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long and Hanoi Mayor Chu Ngoc Anh were also detained. Analysts suggest Phuc’s resignation may have been influenced by allegations involving his family, though the CPV did not comment on these claims.

Despite Phuc’s resignation, the CPV commended his contributions to economic growth and COVID-19 response. Some observers speculate that political reasons may have played a role in his departure, though no official explanation was provided.

The anti-corruption campaign has had mixed effects. While it has improved Vietnam’s Corruption Perceptions Index score—rising from 31 in 2012 to 42 in 2022—it has also led to caution among officials, causing delays in public and private projects. Vietnam’s GDP grew by 8% in 2022, the highest rate since 1997, but concerns remain about the campaign’s long-term impact on governance.

Thuong’s appointment signals continuity in Vietnam’s leadership, with expectations that he will maintain the CPV’s anti-corruption stance. Observers note that while political shifts may raise questions about stability, General Secretary Trong remains in control, and there is no evidence that leadership changes will significantly alter Vietnam’s economic performance or foreign policy.

Vietnam’s relationships with global powers like China and the U.S. are also expected to remain stable, with no major divisions anticipated in international policy under the new leadership.