Vietnam parliament elects Tran Thanh Man new chairman amid leadership reshuffle

Vietnam’s National Assembly on Monday elected Tran Thanh Man as its new chairman, one of several key changes in an ongoing reshuffle of the country’s top leadership.

Man, 61, who had served as deputy speaker of the house since 2021, replaces Vuong Dinh Hue, who resigned last month over unspecified “violations and shortcomings”, one of three top party officials to exit since March.

“It is a huge honour … I will devote myself to serving the people,” he told the assembly after the vote.

Two presidents and a parliament speaker have stepped down in less than 18 months amid an escalating anti-graft campaign in the communist-ruled country. The positions are among Vietnam’s four “pillars” of leadership.

Man, who was backed by all 475 lawmakers present at the house vote, holds a doctorate in economics and had earlier served as chairman of the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho. He was admitted to the powerful Politburo in 2021.

Man’s nomination for the post was announced at the weekend alongside that of a new state president, police minister To Lam, who is expected to be endorsed later this week by the assembly, which is holding a month-long session. The votes are largely a procedural step.

Man, previously the assembly’s deputy chairman, succeeds Vuong Dinh Hue, who stepped down last month because of “violations and shortcomings”, according to the party.

He has not yet served a full term in the politburo, after joining in 2021, which is unusual for a top leader in Vietnam.

According to Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, that will mean he has “less authority to really assert his influence over the National Assembly”.

By comparison, his predecessor “was a very strong chairman … He confronted the