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Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong passed away on Friday at the age of 80. Trong held the country’s most powerful position for 13 years, during which he oversaw rapid economic growth and led a prolonged anti-corruption campaign while implementing a well-balanced foreign policy that appealed to both China and the US read more
 "Who was Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most influential leader who pioneered 'Bamboo diplomacy'")
Vietnam's then-President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at a news conference after he is re-elected as Communist Party's General Secretary for the 3rd term after the closing ceremony of 13th national congress of the ruling communist party in Hanoi, Vietnam February 1, 2021. File Image/Reuters
Nguyen Phu Trong, the influential General Secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, passed away on July 19, at the age of 80. His death marks the end of an era for Vietnam, where he held the most powerful position for over 13 years.
During his tenure, Trong oversaw rapid economic growth, launched a rigourous anti-corruption campaign, and steered the country’s foreign policy towards a pragmatic and balanced approach known as “Bamboo Diplomacy.”
Born in Hanoi in 1944, Trong was a staunch Marxist-Leninist who earned a degree in philosophy before joining the Communist Party at the age of 22. He furthered his education in the Soviet Union, which shaped much of his ideological and political outlook. Despite his ideological leanings, Trong was known for nurturing relations with both the United States and China, reflecting his flexible and strategic approach to foreign policy.
Trong had also served as president of Vietnam from 2018 to 2021.
A look at Trong’s rise to power
Trong ascended to the role of General Secretary of the Communist Party in 2011, a position he held until his death. Prior to this, he served as the Party committee secretary of Hanoi and as the Chairman of the National Assembly from 2006 to 2011.
His rise to power was marked by his ability to consolidate the Communist Party’s influence, particularly at a time when the governmental wing, led by then-Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, was gaining prominence.
In 2021, he secured an unprecedented third term as General Secretary after the party waived the two-term limit, underscoring his significant political clout. However, his later years in office were marked by declining health, leading to his hospitalisation in 2019 and subsequent frailty at public events.
Trong’s ‘blazing furnace’
Trong is perhaps best known for his aggressive anti-corruption campaign, dubbed the “blazing furnace.” Launched in 2017, this campaign targeted both business and political elites, resulting in the investigation and resignation of hundreds of officials, including cabinet ministers, a parliament chairman, and two state presidents (Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vo Van Thuong).
“A country without discipline would be chaotic and unstable,” Trong stated in 2016, highlighting his belief in maintaining the party’s legitimacy through strict discipline.
The campaign, while praised for its rigour, also had unintended consequences. Nguyen Khac Giang of the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute wrote in Fulcrum that the crackdown eroded the institutional balance within the Communist Party, shifting the dynamics towards personal power rather than established norms.
Trong’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’
Trong’s foreign policy strategy, coined as “Bamboo Diplomacy,” symbolised Vietnam’s resilience and adaptability in the complex geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia. This approach allowed Vietnam to maintain robust economic and political relations with both the United States and China, despite the rising tensions between the two superpowers.
“Vietnam’s diplomacy is described as soft and wise, yet persistent and resolute,” Trong explained during the National Congress on External Relations in 2021. “It is characterised by being flexible and creative in the face of all struggles and challenges that stand in the way of national independence and people’s happiness.”
Notably, Trong was invited to India on a four-day State visit in November 2013 when he was received by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. Then President Ram Nath Kovind visited Hanoi and met Trong in 2018 who was then president of the Southeast Asian nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also held an audience with Trong in 2016 during his visit to Hanoi.
Under Trong’s leadership, Vietnam elevated its ties with the United States to the highest diplomatic status, a comprehensive strategic partnership. He hosted both US President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping in Hanoi, showcasing Vietnam’s balanced approach. The US embassy in Vietnam lauded him as a “visionary leader who for decades served as a bridge between Vietnam and the United States of America.”
Vietnam’s economy under Trong
Vietnam’s economy flourished under Trong’s leadership. By 2022, the country’s total exports reached $371.3 billion, with imports amounting to $358.9 billion, reflecting a 9.1 per cent increase compared to the previous year. High-tech items like phones and computers made up approximately $170 billion of these exports.
This economic boom attracted multinational giants such as Samsung, Intel, Canon, and Foxconn to establish large factories in Vietnam.
Trong’s pragmatic approach also involved balancing relations between major powers. In 2023, when the USS Ronald Reagan visited Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was in China, underscoring Vietnam’s diplomatic balancing act. These events highlighted Vietnam’s efforts to maintain political trust and enhance strategic cooperation with both the United States and China.
Who will replace Trong?
Following Trong’s death, his duties were temporarily assigned to Vietnamese President To Lam, a prominent figure in the party and a key player in the anti-corruption campaign. Lam, who became president in May 2024, is seen as a likely successor to Trong. However, his potential consolidation of power raises concerns about increased autocracy and a potential crackdown on civil liberties.
Vietnam’s leadership structure consists of four key positions: the Communist Party general secretary, the president, the prime minister, and the head of the National Assembly, the four bureaucratic positions have been informally dubbed the “four pillars” in regard to leadership and decision-making in the country.
Peter Mumford of the Eurasia Group noted that Lam’s leadership could “moderate political instability and factional infighting,” which might benefit economic growth, reported Reuters. However, some analysts fear that Vietnam might drift towards a more China-style rule if Lam amasses unchecked power.
In the wake of Trong’s death, Vietnam observed a period of national mourning, with public events cancelled and state-run websites displaying black and white banners. State broadcasters aired documentaries celebrating his life and leadership.
Also Read: Who is To Lam, Vietnam’s top cop now elected president?
Nguyen Phu Trong leaves behind a mixed legacy marked by economic achievements, a rigourous anti-corruption drive, and a vision of “Bamboo Diplomacy” which will continue to influence Vietnam’s strategic decisions in the years to come.
With inputs from agencies
Anmol is a Senior Sub-Editor with Firstpost. He likes to cover stories that intrigue him, generally revolving around international polity, Indian foreign policy, human interest, environment and even the politically-charged election cycles in India. He has far too many disparate interests with a constant itch for travel. Having visited fourteen states in the Indian subcontinent, he is always on the lookout for opportunities to add more to the list. He enjoys watching Football, Tennis and F1 purely as a sports enthusiast. see more
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