HANOI: Vietnam's ruling Communist Party convened to begin its twice-a-decade congress, where leader To Lam is looking to tighten his grip on power less than two years after assuming the top role. The Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people is both a repressive one-party state and a regional economic bright spot, where the Communist Party has sought to deliver rapid growth to bolster its legitimacy.
Nearly 1,600 delegates representing the party's more than five million members gathered on Monday for a sombre tribute to national hero Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, before attending a closed-door preparatory session of the party congress. The official opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Tuesday morning, state media said, with the party's general secretary, Lam, widely expected to deliver a speech.
Since he ascended to the role just 17 months ago, Lam has pursued an anti-corruption drive, thinned and streamlined bureaucracy, and accelerated infrastructure investment in reforms officials describe as a "revolution". Analysts say Lam's reach will depend on who else secures top posts and politburo positions during the week-long conclave, particularly from the more conservative military faction that opposes him. — AFP
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