Vietnam’s Elite Politics and Implications for Leadership Transition
VIETNAM STUDIES PROGRAMME
About the Webinar
The unexpected resignation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong on 21 March 2024 has left many Vietnam observers surprised. Thuong took office just one year ago, replacing his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who was also dismissed after less than two years in power. Thuong’s sudden departure is the latest in a series of high-profile dismissals and prosecutions since the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in early 2021. These events have raised concerns about the country’s traditionally stable political environment.
This webinar will examine the recent developments in Vietnam’s elite politics and their potential impact on the country’s political and economic future. It will also explore the role of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the influence of factionalism, and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign in shaping the power transition that will take place at the CPV’s 14th National Congress in early 2026.
About the Speakers
Tran Le Quynh is a Researcher at Amnesty International, London, where he is focusing on the impact of the energy transition on the world’s top EV makers. Prior to joining Amnesty, Quynh had an extensive career at BBC World Service spanning from 2002 to 2023, where he most recently served as a Senior Journalist. From 2016 to 2017, he was the acting head of the BBC Vietnamese service. During his tenure at BBC, Quynh was nominated for two BBC News Awards, winning one for his contribution to digital journalism. Quynh has written extensively about Vietnam’s elite politics, including the notable piece “The Rise and Rise of Nguyen Phu Trong” published in The Diplomat after Trong’s historic third-term election as CPV General Secretary in 2021.
Nguyen Khac Giang is a Visiting Fellow in the Vietnam Studies Programme of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and previously served as the Head of the Political Research Unit of the Hanoi-based Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR). He holds a PhD in Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington and is an oft-quoted expert on Vietnamese affairs, having written extensively for major Vietnamese and English news outlets.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.
If you have questions for the speakers, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.