Party General Secretary and State President To Lam speaks at an international press conference in Hanoi on August 3, 2024, to announce the outcomes of the 13th Party Central Committee’s meeting held earlier the same day.

Mr. Lam said the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an extremely great loss that cannot be compensated for the Party, nation and people. At this moment, the entire Party, people, army and international friends are still deeply moved and filled with immense sorrow for the exceptionally eminent leader.

However, given the urgent and regular requirements and tasks of the Party and State in the cause of national construction and development, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee decided to strengthen the leadership positions of the Party and the State, first of all the position of the Party General Secretary.

Mr. Lam said this is a pressing requirement of the Party and the country at present to ensure the leadership role and accomplish the goals set by the 13th National Party Congress; prepare for Party congresses at all levels in the lead-up to the 14th National Party Congress; and lay a solid foundation to achieve the strategic goals for the 100th founding anniversaries of the Party and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and at the same time, determine a future vision, bringing Vietnam to be on par with world powers, contributing to peace and development in the world.

He said that the election of the General Secretary at the mid-term is carried out in accordance with the Party Statute, the guidelines on personnel work of the 13th Party Central Committee, and regulations on the Party's personnel affairs. This is not a new issue as in the history of the  Party, Mr. Truong Chinh and Mr. Le Kha Phieu were also elected as General Secretaries at the mid-term, he said.

“The process of preparing and nominating the candidate for the position of Party General Secretary was carried out strictly, in accordance with the set principles, fully meeting all standards for the position and procedures stipulated by the Party. To ensure stability, inheritance and development of experiences and achievements made by General Secretary Trong, previous leaders and the Party Central Committee of the previous tenures, and with the highest responsibility for the common cause of the Party and the country, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee democratically and thoroughly discussed, considered various aspects, and reached high consensus on nominating and electing the position of the General Secretary of the 13th Party Central Committee,” Party General Secretary and President Lam noted.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam chairs an international press conference in Hanoi on August 3, 2024, to announce the outcomes of the 13th Party Central Committee’s meeting held earlier the same day.

Mr. Lam vowed to join hands with the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat to continue to inherit and promote the glorious traditions and valuable experiences of the Party; and bring into full play the spirit of "self-reliance, self-confidence, self-resilience, self-strengthening and national pride."

He pledged to continue to lead the entire Party, people, and army to resolutely and effectively implement the major directions and strategic breakthroughs set forth by the 13th Party Congress, focusing on maintaining independence and self-reliance; enhancing defense and security capabilities; resolutely and persistently protecting national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, including the country’s sea, islands, and airspace.

Mr. Lam said he will continue to promote the strength of great national solidarity in the cause of national construction and defense; persist with the principles of "taking the people as the root and the center"; and concentrate on building a truly clean and strong Party.

General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam’s foreign policy remains unchanged in line with the Party’s orientation, especially the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

"We are continuing to implement this orientation and resolution effectively, and uphold the  achievements in foreign affairs which have been highly valued internationally. We emphasize the consistent stance of independence, self-reliance, self-resilience, and self-strengthening. In foreign affairs, national interests must always be placed first and foremost, protected and respected. This is also the standard for our international relations. Vietnam is neither dependent on anyone nor swayed by any international trends. Vietnam is a friend with all countries around the world. According to Vietnam’s tradition, a friend will help you develop and become affluent. So the more friends we have, the stronger we will become," he said.