To Lam wins Vietnam presidency as party tightens grip on power

Vietnam’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as president for a five-year term, giving him control over both the party and the state.

The widely expected move makes To Lam the most powerful Vietnamese leader in decades and marks a significant departure from the country’s traditional collective leadership structure.

Analysts say the consolidation of power could push Vietnam toward a more centralised and authoritarian model...