A Broadening Anti-Graft Campaign Complicates Vietnam’s Economic Future

Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s anti-corruption and anti-dissident (ACAD) campaigns will fuel political infighting and further empower the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) over the technocrats, increasing regulatory and reputational risks for foreign businesses looking to take advantage of Vietnam’s economic boom. Trong has greatly intensified the VCP’s ACAD campaigns since 2016 when he fended off a challenge from former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Now, having achieved a third term as general secretary (a move unprecedented since 1976) and facing declining health at 77 years old, Trong will continue ACAD activities as a means of consolidating his foothold and ensuring his chosen successor takes power, all while assisted by newly installed allies such as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh....