The death of Vietnam's general secretary will increase the already high likelihood of President To Lam permanently taking over the role, which will lead to an intensified security focus that will inhibit business while straining Hanoi's relations with Western countries, particularly in trade. On July 19, Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 80 years old ''due to old age and serious illness,'' per the official statement issued by the VCP. The precise health conditions leading to his death are still not public knowledge. On July 18, Vietnam's Politburo assigned President To Lam to take over the day-to-day duties of the general secretary, an indication Trong was on his deathbed. Lam now oversees the main VCP institutions of the Politburo, Central Committee and Party Secretariat, in addition to his preexisting duties as head of state. As a result, Lam is now serving in two of...
