VIETNAM unanimously elected Communist Party general secretary To Lam as president for a five-year term today, breaking with the tradition of the two posts being held by different people.

The move brings Vietnam into line with the current power structures in China and Laos.

After being sworn in, the 69-year-old told the National Assembly that his top priority was to maintain peace and stability, which were the foundation for fast and sustainable growth.

“We aim to improve people’s livelihoods so all can share the benefits of development,” he said.

As party leader, To Lam has led Vietnam’s biggest bureaucratic overhaul since the 1980s, cutting jobs, merging ministries, redrawing provincial boundaries and advancing major infrastructure projects.

He has focused on economic performance and private-sector growth, aiming to move Vietnam beyond the labour and export-driven model that has helped lift millions of people out of poverty.

The country is targeting 10 per cent or higher annual economic growth over each of the next five years.