President Vo Van Thuong of Vietnam has resigned after violating Communist Party regulations, state media reported on Wednesday, marking the second president to step down in a little over a year. The reports did not provide details about his alleged wrongdoing, but the resignation has sent shockwaves through the one-party system known for its unity and stability.
The post of president in Vietnam is largely ceremonial, with power concentrated in the hands of the party leader, Nguyen Phu Trong. However, Mr. Thuong’s resignation, at the age of 53, has raised concerns about a potential power struggle within the Communist Party. He was seen as a potential successor to the 79-year-old Mr. Trong, who is in ill health and had recommended him for the job.
“The mere fact that two presidents have resigned within two years is not a positive sign for a country often praised for political stability,” said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Mr. Thuong’s resignation is seen as a signal of an “intensifying” period of power struggle within the party ahead of the next leadership transition in 2026.
Vietnam, which has been governed by the Communist Party for nearly five decades, has been praised for its delicate balance between the United States and China. Mr. Thuong’s resignation could unsettle foreign investors who have flocked to Vietnam in recent years, attracted by its stable political climate.
The state news outlets in Vietnam reported that Mr. Thuong asked to resign after the Central Inspection Committee found that he violated party regulations, possibly related to corruption. His resignation comes amid a broader anti-corruption campaign that has led to the downfall of many top officials, including his predecessor.
The campaign, launched by Mr. Trong in 2016, has targeted graft within the party, with thousands of members across all levels of government being sacked, dismissed, or imprisoned. While the campaign has shown some success in reducing red tape and bribery, it has also led to a slowdown in decision-making and a weakened bureaucracy.
Mr. Thuong’s resignation underscores the message that “no one is safe” within the Communist Party, according to analysts. The internal power struggle and anti-corruption efforts in Vietnam are likely to have far-reaching implications for the country’s political future and its relationships with foreign powers.
