Vietnam Parliament Elects Vo Van Thuong as New President

Vietnam's National Assembly on Thursday elected Vo Van Thuong as the country's new president.

The country is changing its top leadership as it continues its anti-corruption¹ campaign.

In an extraordinary session, lawmakers confirmed the 52-year-old Thuong as president after the ruling Communist Party nominated him on Wednesday. The president in Vietnam is largely a ceremonial job. But it is one of the nation's top four political positions.

Thuong's election follows the sudden resignation of previous president Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Phuc stepped down in January. The party blamed him for "violations² and wrongdoing" by officials under his control. His resignation was seen as a major escalation³ of the country's anti-corruption crackdown.

In his first speech to the parliament as new president, Thuong said he will "resolutely⁵" continue the fight against corruption.

"I will be ... loyal to the fatherland, the people and the constitution, striving to fulfill⁶ the tasks assigned by the party, the state and the people," Thuong said in a statement on Vietnam's state television.

Thuong is the youngest member of the party's Politburo, the country's top decision-making body. He is considered an established member of the party. He began his political career as a college student in communist youth groups.

He is widely thought to have a close relationship with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's most powerful leader. Trong is the main official behind the party's battle against corruption.

The anti-corruption campaign "will not cool down in the foreseeable future," said Florian Feyerabend. He is the representative in Vietnam for Germany's Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Diplomats⁸ and businesspeople have raised concerns about the anti-corruption campaign because it has limited many normal deals in Vietnam. And officials fear being caught up in the crackdown.

A Hanoi-based diplomat⁷ told Reuters that Thuong's election was a major step by General Secretary Trong in the competition to succeed him. The 78-year-old leader may step down before the end of his third term in 2026.

Thuong was elected with 98.38 percent of the votes, the parliament's website says.

Words in This Story

resolute⁴ — adj. very determined⁹

strive — v. to try very hard to do or achieve something

fulfill — v. to do what is required by

foresee — v. to see or become aware of

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

3 escalation   

n.扩大，增加

参考例句：

• The threat of nuclear escalation remains. 核升级的威胁仍旧存在。 来自辞典例句
• Escalation is thus an aspect of deterrence and of crisis management. 因此逐步升级是威慑和危机处理的一个方面。 来自辞典例句

4 resolute   

adj.坚决的，果敢的

参考例句：

• He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
• The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。

5 resolutely   

adj.坚决地，果断地

参考例句：

• He resolutely adhered to what he had said at the meeting. 他坚持他在会上所说的话。
• He grumbles at his lot instead of resolutely facing his difficulties. 他不是果敢地去面对困难，而是抱怨自己运气不佳。

6 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

7 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

8 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。