Additional positions


Minister of Public Security
In office 9 April 2016 – 22 May 2024
Prime Minister	Nguyễn Xuân Phúc Phạm Minh Chính
Preceded by	Trần Đại Quang
Succeeded by	Lương Tam Quang
Secretary of the Central Police Party Committee
In office 4 May 2016 – 6 June 2024
Preceded by	Trần Đại Quang
Succeeded by	Lương Tam Quang
President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 May 2024
Preceded by	Võ Văn Thưởng
Member of the Politburo
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 January 2016
Head of Central Highlands Steering Committee
In office 31 July 2016 – 11 October 2017
Preceded by	Trần Đại Quang
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Deputy Minister of Public Security
In office 12 August 2010 – 7 April 2016
Minister	Lê Hồng Anh Trần Đại Quang

Personal details

Born

10 July 1957 (age 67)
Văn Giang, Hưng Yên, North Vietnam
(now Vietnam)

Political party

CPV

Spouse

Ngô Phương Ly

Parents

Tô Quyền (father)
Đặng Thị Cam (mother)

Residences

64 Phan Đình Phùng street, Ba Đình, Hanoi

Alma mater

Vietnam People's Security Academy [vi]
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics [vi]

Awards

Military Exploit Order

Signature

Military service

Branch/service

Vietnam People's Public Security

Years of service

1974–2024

Rank

Police General

a. ^

Tô Lâm ( born 10 July 1957) is a Vietnamese politician and former police officer who has served as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) since August 2024 and the 13th president of Vietnam from May 2024 to October 2024. A career officer in the People's Public Security Forces for over 40 years, Lâm previously served as Minister of Public Security from 2016 until his election to the presidency in 2024.

Born in Hưng Yên province, Tô Lâm became a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam on 22 August 1981. His entire career has been in the police forces. He holds the rank of four-star General in the People's Public Security Forces of Vietnam. Tô Lâm previously served as Head of the Central Highlands Steering Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security, and Director-General of the MPS First General Department of Security. He has been a Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam since 2011, and a Member of the Politburo since 2016. Tô Lâm holds a doctorate in jurisprudence and an advanced diploma in political theory. He was appointed to the title of Professor of Security Science in 2015.

On 18 May 2024, he was nominated by the CPV Central Committee to become Vietnam's 13th president, succeeding Võ Văn Thưởng, who resigned in March 2024 due to the anti-corruption campaign. The National Assembly relieved Tô Lâm of his ministerial post prior to the presidential election, and his protége Lương Tam Quang was appointed public security minister in June 2024. On 3 August 2024, following the death of Nguyễn Phú Trọng, Tô Lâm was elected CPV General Secretary and Secretary of the Central Military Commission by the 13th Central Committee, making him Vietnam's current paramount leader.

Childhood
Early career
Rise to power
- Minister of Public Security
- Foreign Affairs
Leadership
- Presidency (May–October 2024)
- General Secretaryship (2024–present)
Honours
See also

Childhood

Tô Lâm was born on 10 July 1957 in Xuân Cầu village, Nghĩa Trụ commune, Văn Giang district, Hưng Yên province, Vietnam. He is the eldest son of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Colonel Tô Quyền, former Director of Police for Hải Hưng province.

Tô Lâm was born and raised in a family of revolutionary activists, taught and learned about history and the country's situation from a young age. His father, was a recipient of the Hero of the People's Armed Forces medal and title. Tô Quyền participated in the revolution, went to the South to serve the Central Bureau in the years 1966 - 1975 until the country was unified, and was married. His name became his nickname, called Tư Tô Lâm, Uncle Tư Tô Lâm.

Following his father's image, Tô Lâm studied security. In October 1974, he was a student of the sixth course of the Central Public Security School, later renamed People's Security University, now People's Security Academy. After that, he studied and researched the field of law, receiving a PhD in Jurisprudence. On 22 October 2015, he was awarded the academic title Professor of Security Sciences.

Lâm was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam on 22 August 1981, becoming an official party member on August 22, 1982. During his Party and State activities, he studied course at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, receiving an Advanced degree in political theory.

Early career

Hugo Swire and Tô Lâm in 2012

He attended the Central Police School in 1974. From October 1974 to October 1979: Student at the Vietnam People's Security Academy (VPSA) - T01/C500

After graduating from university in the field of security, To Lam began his career as a Vietnam People's Public Security. From October 1979 to December 1988, he worked at the Political Protection Department I, the Ministry of Public Security.

December 1988 – 1993: Cadre; Deputy Chief of the Political Protection Department I; the Ministry of Public Security

1993-2006: Deputy Director of the Political Protection Department I, Director of the Political Protection Department III, the Ministry of Public Security;

2006-2009: Deputy Director of the General Security Department, Permanent Deputy Director of the General Security Department in charge of the Political Protection Department I, the Ministry of Public Security; appointed Major-general in 2007

2009 – August, 2010: Director of the General Security Department I, the Ministry of Public Security; appointed Lieutenant-General in July, 2010

August 2010 – January 2016: Deputy Minister of Public Security; a member of the Party Central Committee (at the 11th Party Congress)

In January 2011, at the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm was elected a member of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Politburo also appointed him to the position of Standing Member of the Central Public Security Party Committee. In 2011, Lieutenant General, Deputy Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm received US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius in Hanoi, with discussions on the general situation of the two countries, thereby aiming to improve and deepen the comprehensive partnership. According to Voice of America, the US Ambassador commented on him:

"Lâm is also a tough character, but intelligent and interested in strengthening cooperation with the United States in a number of fields."

June 4, 2011: Tô Lâm was appointed the new Secretary of the Central Police Party Committee.

September 16, 2014: The Minister of Public Security, Lieutenant General Tô Lâm, was promoted to the rank of Colonel General by President Truong Tan Sang.

January 2016 – April 2016: Senior Lieutenant-General/Colonel General; Deputy Minister of Public Security; a member of the Politburo

April 27, 2016: He was appointed Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption by President Tran Dai Quang.

July 31, 2016: He was appointed Head of Central Highlands Steering Committee, replacing Tran Dai Quang.

July 27, 2016 – present: Member of the Politburo; Head of Central Highlands Steering Committee, Minister of Public Security, Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption

January 29, 2019: The Minister of Public Security, Colonel General Tô Lâm, was promoted to the rank of General by President Nguyen Phu Trong.

Rise to power

Minister of Public Security

National Security Advisor John R. Bolton met Police General Tô Lâm at the White House in 2019.

On 9 April 2016, at the 11th session, the 13th National Assembly approved, President Trần Đại Quang appointed him to the position of Minister of Public Security. On 13 April 2016, the Politburo decided to assign Tô Lâm to hold the position of Secretary of Central Public Security Party Committee. On 28 July 2016, at the first session of the 14th National Assembly, President Trần Đại Quang appointed him to the position of Minister of Public Security of the 14th Government of Vietnam, term 2016 - 2021. In this new term, he becomes the comprehensive and highest leader of the Vietnam People's Police, working under the Government led by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, is responsible for performing the State management function of security, order and social safety; counterintelligence; crime prevention investigation; fire prevention and rescue; Execution of criminal judgments, execution of sentences other than imprisonment, custody or temporary detention; legal protection and support; State management of public services in sectors and fields under the Ministry's state management scope.

On 27 April 2016, Tô Lâm was appointed by the Politburo to concurrently hold the position of Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption of the Communist Party of Vietnam participate in assisting and supporting the Head of the Committee, General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng in anti-corruption work. On 30 July 2016, he was assigned by the Politburo to hold the position of Head of the Central Highlands Steering Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. On 11 October 2017, at the 6th Central Conference of the 12th term, the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam agreed to end the activity. actions of the Northwest, Central Highlands, and Southwest Steering Committees; he was relieved from this position.

On 29 January 2019, Tô Lâm was promoted by General Secretary and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng from Senior General to Police General together with Army General Lương Cường, Director General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army. On 30 January 2021, at the Central election, he was elected as an official member of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. One day later, at the first session of the 13th Party Central Committee, he was elected a member of the 13th Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

On 31 January 2021, Tô Lâm was re-elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, re-elected by the Central Committee to the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam. On 28 July 2021, at the first session of the 15th National Assembly, it was approved and appointed by the President to hold the position of Minister of Public Security of the Government. Government of Vietnam term XV, term 2021 - 2026.

On 25 August 2021, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính signed Decision No. 1438/QD-TTg, appointing Lâm is a member of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control, Head of the Social Order and Security Subcommittee.

Foreign Affairs

Police General Tô Lâm welcomed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Hanoi in 2020.

During the 2016 - 2021 term, Police General Tô Lâm represents the Vietnam People's Public Security force to welcome international representatives visiting Vietnam, conduct tours to partner countries, strengthen international relations, Promote integration in the new period, ensure sovereignty and protect the country.

In 2016, Lâm welcomed the Chinese delegation of State Councilor, Minister of Ministry of Public Security Guo Shengkun to visit in Hanoi. Cabinet, organize conferences, strengthen cooperation in fighting crime of both countries. In 2017, he and his delegation visited Slovakia, met with Prime Minister Robert Fico; together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Slovakia Robert Kalinak signed Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Slovakia on the fight against crime.

President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III welcomed Minister Tô Lâm at Malacañang Palace in 2016.

In 2018, Tô Lâm visited and worked in the United Kingdom, together with the Minister of Home Secretary Sajid Javid signed and handed over the 'Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the United Kingdom'.

In 2019, he and his delegation visited South Korea, met with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Prosecutor General Moon Moo-il , strengthening cooperation between the two countries. In 2020, he visited Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, met with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao Minister of Security. Vilay Lakhamphong signed the Plan to implement the Cooperation Agreement between the two ministries; to Brunei, exchange and increase information sharing on traditional and non-traditional crime and security situations.

At the end of 2020, Lâm had a meeting and worked with the US high-level delegation led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo within the framework of the official visit Vietnamese culture on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States.

From 9 April to April 10, 2023, Lâm had a trip to India. During the meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval, the two sides committed to further deepening the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in issues such as: strategies such as security and defense, contributing to maintaining peace, prosperity and stability of the two countries, the region and the world. From 19 May to 22 May 2023, he paid a visit to Iran at the invitation of Iranian Minister of Interior Ahmad Vahidi. They agreed to promote cooperation between the two Ministries in the field of security and order. Tô Lâm held talks with Iranian Justice Minister Amin Houssein Rahimi. After the talks, authorized by President Võ Văn Thưởng, Lâm signed an Extradition Agreement and an Agreement on the Transfer of Prisoners between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Islamic Republic with Iranian Justice Minister A.H. Rahimi.

Lâm also worked with Commander-in-Chief of the National Police Ahmad-Reza Radan to identify specific cooperation activities in the field of crime prevention. He also met with First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber.

Leadership

Presidency (May–October 2024)

Lâm being sworn in as the 13th president of Vietnam on 22 May 2024

On 21 March 2024, Võ Văn Thưởng submitted his resignation from the presidency after his former subordinates were imprisoned for corruption in the Phúc Sơn Group Misconduct Case. Following this, Thường's vice president Võ Thị Ánh Xuân temporarily served as acting president, a role she had previously held for almost two months in early 2023.

At the 9th Central Committee Conference on 18 May 2024, Tô Lâm was nominated to become Vietnam's next President and was confirmed by the National Assembly at the opening of its 7th Session. He retained his current post of Minister of Public Security alongside the presidency until the Central Committee nominates a successor.

On 22 May 2024, the National Assembly elected Lâm as president. He served as president until his replacement by Lương Cường on 21 October.

General Secretaryship (2024–present)

On 18 July 2024, Lâm was appointed caretaker General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam after Nguyễn Phú Trọng fell ill. Following the latter's death the next day, Tô Lâm was officially elected as the party's general secretary on 3 August.

Honours

3 First Class Military Merit Medals (May 2014, July 2015, December 2020).
Third-class Military Merit Medal (July 2011).
2 First Class Victory Medals (January 2002, September 2008).
Second Class Victory Medal (May 2007).
Third Class Victory Medal (March 2007).
First, Second, and Third Class Glorious Soldier Medal.
National Security Medal (2002).
Freedom First Class Medal of Lao PDR (2017).
First Class Labor Medal of Lao PDR (2017).
Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation (2021).
Order of José Martí (2024)

Tô Lâm facts for kids

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