아세안

A new state president and party general secretary have been appointed following the death of long-time leader Nguyễn Phú Trọng in July 2024. The takeover of Vietnamese politics by the security forces has several implications. Most obviously, it means there is little chance of further political liberalisation. Internationally, the intentions of the new leadership are harder to read, but their political instincts are likely to lead them closer to their comrades in Beijing and away from Western-style democracies.