The Vietnamese President’s position that no one wants to sit in has its own reasons. This is the position ranked second in the four pillars, but there is no real power. Vo Van Thuong having to sit in the President’s position is forced, because among the two candidates To Lam and Vo Van Thuong, To Lam is better at dodging, so he can avoid this prestigious but insubstantial position.
Tran Dai Quang used to be a fire screamer at the Ministry of Public Security, but after sitting as the State President, he became a “broken-winged eagle.” Mr. Quang did not defend himself against his comrades.
After Quang died, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also wanted to take this position. However, at the 12th National Congress, he threw away this potision for Nguyen Xuan Phuc to temporarily sit. At that time, Nguyen Xuan Phuc was in a losing position. If he did not sit as President, he would go home so he temporarily accepted this position.
Now, it is Mr. Vo Van Thuong’s turn to sit as President. Because Mr. Thuong did not make enemies with anyone and was not hated by many people, he was temporarily safe. However, after sitting as President, Mr. Thuong was openly despised by Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong. It seems that Mr. Trong sees Mr. Thuong as a “little boy” who can do nothing. Many times, Mr. Trong pushed Vo Van Thuong aside, as if Vo Van Thuong was invisible.
In September, when welcoming US President Joe Biden to Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong ignored President Vo Van Thuong. Nguyen Phu Trong – the head of the largest and only political party in Vietnam – received the American head of state. This incident was condemned by the online community which criticized Nguyen Phu Trong for disregarding the country’s discipline.
The controversies eventually reached the Central Government. In the leaked clip, Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs told retired leaders at the Thang Long Club that the reason the General Secretary received the US President was because the General Secretary was the one who invited the US President.
So, the question is, inviting the US President is the job of the head of state, why does the head of the Party chief do it instead? No matter how we resist, we cannot hide the act of removing President Vo Van Thuong from the role of a head of state, even if that role is only a formality and ritual.
During the welcoming ceremony for Mr. Xi Jinping, only Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong presided, but Vo Van Thuong was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Xi Jinping is General Secretary of the Communist Party of China cum President. Thus, according to proper protocol, Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong must receive the reception at the Party Central Office, and Mr. Vo Van Thuong must receive the reception at the Presidential Palace. So, why did Mr. Trong push Mr. Thuong out, so that he himself could host Mr. Xi at the Presidential Palace, where Mr. Thuong is the owner?
Actually, Mr. Trong released his position as President after the 12th National Congress, three years ago, but it seems that Mr. Trong still considers himself General Secretary and President. He considered himself the superior, while Vo Van Thuong or Vo Thi Anh Xuan were just his juniors and disciples for him to arrange as he pleased.
Remember, on New Year’s Eve 2023, after Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned and Ms. Vo Thi Anh Xuan took over the role of Acting President, Mr. General Secretary Trong “appeared on television” to give a New Year congratulatory speech.
The Communist Party of Vietnam has a leader who abuses power. Although Mr. Trong often goes to the media to preach about the rule of law, he himself does not respect the rule of law at all. He still acts according to his will, like a king, not respecting the law nor the Party’s regulations. With such an “unrighteous” upper, it is strange that the lower level will be “all chaotic.” In the Party, small men abuse small power, big men abuse big power, they learn from the President.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
