Tô Lâm

Tô Lâm (born 10 July 1957) is a Vietnamese politician and police officer who has been serving as the 13th President of Vietnam since May 2024. He served as Minister of Public Security from April 2016 until his election to the presidency in May 2024. A member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he is also one of the deputy heads of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-corruption. He is widely considered to be a powerful figure in the General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng's anti-corruption campaign.

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 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 position as Public Security Minister prior to the presidential election.

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


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.

Minister of Public Security
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.

Gold steak controversy
In November 2021, a video was posted on the TikTok account of celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe, widely known by his nickname Salt Bae, which showed Lâm and his entourage dining at Gökçe's Nusr-Et Steakhouse in London after attending the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and laying a wreath at the tomb of Karl Marx. In the clip, Gökçe feeds Lâm a piece of gold-plated steak and then gives a thumbs-up. The video was deleted from Gökçe's TikTok account just 30 minutes after a Vietnamese activist shared it on his Facebook page. The event caused outrage among Vietnamese internet users as the dinner took place when the majority of Vietnamese were struggling with a months-long economic shutdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many also wondered how Lâm could afford a steak that costs 1,450 pounds ($1,975) on a monthly salary of roughly $660. Despite attracting much attention from the international media, the Vietnamese press did not mention the event. On Facebook, the hashtag #saltbae was blocked for a few days worldwide, and it was only accessible on November 9.

Facebook did not state the reason for the block and did not say whether or not the Vietnamese government had requested them to do so. On November 16, 2021, Bui Tuan Lam, 39, a noodle vendor in Đà Nẵng was reportedly targeted by police after posting a video on his Facebook page in which he imitated Gökce's gesture. On September 7, 2022, Bui Tuan Lam was arrested by multiple plainclothes police officers at his noodle stand. After a trial only lasting a day, Lam was sentenced to five-and-a half years in prison and four years of probation upon being released.

Major cases
The case of Trịnh Xuân Thanh: Trịnh Xuân Thanh, former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee People of Hậu Giang province and Delegates of the 14th National Assembly. In 2016, Trịnh Xuân Thanh was investigated and concluded that he had many shortcomings and serious violations during his time working at Vietnam Petroleum Construction Joint Stock Corporation; being investigated by the Police Agency, the Ministry of Public Security issued a decision to prosecute the defendant for intentionally violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences; At the same time, issued a temporary arrest warrant and a search warrant for Trịnh Xuân Thanh. After determining that Trịnh Xuân Thanh had fled, Ministry of Public Security issued a national and international arrest decision for Trịnh Xuân Thanh. Minister Tô Lâm directed the arrest of Trịnh Xuân Thanh and resolved this special criminal case. German investigators and Slovak police accused Minister Tô Lâm of directing the arrest of figures from Germany through international cooperation with Slovakia and Russia. According to German and Slovak authorities, the kidnapping of Thanh occurred during a trip of Lâm in July 2017 and this affected Vietnam's diplomatic relations with Germany and Slovakia.

High-level leadership case: since 2016, he has been assigned the position of Minister of Public Security and Deputy Head of the Central Anti-Corruption Commission, assistant to General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, General Tô Lâm has Direct the police in investigating, handling, and prosecuting corruption and serious violations, including many large, national cases. We can mention the case of Đinh La Thăng: prosecution, trial, and sentence of 30 years in prison for former Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Đinh La Thăng due to economic management violations while holding the position of Chairman of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group; The case of former Minister of Ministry of Information and Communications Nguyễn Bắc Son and Trương Minh Tuấn on charges of violating management regulations, using public investment capital causing serious consequences and accepting bribes, sentenced to life imprisonment and 14 years in prison respectively; The case of former Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung being arrested and investigated for appropriating secret State documents. In 2022, he and the Ministry of Public Security conducted an investigation into two major scandals related to rescue flights and scandal at Việt Á company caused many officials to be investigated and imprisoned.

The attack on two Commune People's Committee headquarters in Đắk Lắk 2023: at a discussion in the National Assembly on June 20, Lâm commented: The incident in Dak Lak shows that security cannot be overlooked at the base.

Foreign Affairs
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.

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'. Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking''.

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, including methods, tricks and the connection of types of crimes that affect the two countries. countries, especially terrorist criminals, criminals using high technology, drug crimes, economic crimes, wanted criminals, especially need to strengthen cooperation in the field of cyber security.

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, coordinate in handling transnational crimes and crimes related to citizens of the two countries, and absolutely protect the safety of flights. visits by senior leaders, ensuring security and safety for the headquarters of representative agencies and citizens of this country working, studying, working, sightseeing, traveling, and investment cooperation in the country's territory that; Strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity, promote cooperation in the field of training, improve professional capacity and foreign languages, and support each other on international forums of which the two sides are members. 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, especially organized crime and transnational crime. criminals, drug criminals and high-tech crimes. He also met with First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber.

Nomination and election
On 21 March 2024, Võ Văn Thưởng submitted his resignation from the position of President of Vietnam after his former subordinates were imprisoned for corruption in the Phúc Sơn Group Misconduct Case. Following this, Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân temporarily served as acting president.

At the 9th Central Committee Conference on 18 May 2024, General 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 retains 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 the General Tô Lâm as Vietnam's 13th President.

2024
On 19 June 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Vietnam and met with Tô Lâm. Putin thanked Vietnam for its "balanced position" on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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).

Book

 * 1) To Lam, Ho Chi Minh's Thought on the People's Public Security, National Political Publishing House, 2015.
 * 2) To Lam, Ho Chi Minh's ideology on cadres and cadre work of the People's Public Security, National Political Publishing House, 2017.
 * 3) To Lam, The masses - the decisive factor in winning the struggle to protect security and order, People's Public Security Publishing House, 2017.
 * 4) To Lam, Ho Chi Minh's Thought on the role of the people in the cause of protecting security and order, People's Public Security Publishing House, 2017.
 * 5) To Lam, Vietnam People's Police with Ho Chi Minh's works as a revolutionary policeman, Truth National Political Publishing House, 2018.