Vuong Dinh Hue, the head of Vietnam’s parliament, has recently resigned amid an anti-corruption campaign, adding to the country’s growing instability and political uncertainty. This follows the resignations of President Vo Van Thuong in March and former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc previously, all due to corruption scandals. Hue’s resignation is seen as a sign of the extreme uncertainty in Vietnam’s political environment, where three top leaders have been removed in just a year.
Hue’s resignation came shortly after his assistant, Pham Thai Ha, was arrested on charges of abusing his position for personal gain. While initial reports did not implicate Hue in corruption, investigators found that he had violated party regulations, affecting the reputation of the Party, the State, and himself. Hue had served as the chair of Vietnam’s national assembly for over three years, making him one of the country’s most important politicians alongside the President, Prime Minister, and head of the Communist Party.
The ongoing anti-corruption campaign in Vietnam has led to increased political instability, raising concerns about the country’s economic ambitions as it seeks to position itself as an alternative to China in the regional supply chain. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently expressed interest in increasing investments in Vietnam during a visit there. The arrest of Pham Thai Ha was part of an expanded investigation into the Thuan An Group, leading to arrests of company chair Nguyen Duy Hung and others in April. The Blazing Furnace campaign has resulted in high-profile cases, including a death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan in Vietnam’s largest-ever fraud case.
The downfall of Vuong Dinh Hue, who was seen as a likely successor to Party chief Trong, has intensified Vietnam’s succession crisis. Experts believe that a power struggle among potential successors is already underway, with the Communist Party congress scheduled for early 2026. Despite Trong’s recent re-election to an unprecedented third term, his age may prevent him from continuing for another term, leaving room for a new leader to emerge. The removal of key political figures due to corruption scandals has heightened tensions and uncertainty within Vietnam’s leadership.
