HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam's General Secretary of the Communist Party, Tô Lâm, has issued a forceful directive to law enforcement and judicial bodies, demanding they concentrate their efforts to resolutely and definitively conclude investigations into major cases of corruption, wastefulness, and other "negative phenomena" that have stirred public discontent.
The instruction was delivered during a recent meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negative Phenomena in Hanoi. As the new head of the committee, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized the need for swift and thorough action to address high-profile cases that have captured national attention and eroded public trust.
This directive signals a strong continuity of Vietnam's sweeping anti-graft campaign, famously known as "Đốt lò" or "Blazing Furnace." The campaign, initiated by his predecessor, former General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, has become a signature policy of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It aims to tackle corruption at all levels, encapsulated by the slogan "no forbidden zones, no exceptions."
In his previous role as Minister of Public Security, General Secretary Tô Lâm was a central figure in the investigation of many of the country's most significant corruption scandals. His new directive as Party chief underscores a continued commitment to this hardline stance.
"The authorities must focus their forces and resources to bring these major, complex cases to a conclusive end," a state media report quoted him as saying. He stressed that resolving these cases is crucial for upholding the rule of law, purifying the state apparatus, and responding to the legitimate demands and frustrations of the people.
The "Blazing Furnace" campaign has seen the prosecution and discipline of tens of thousands of individuals, including numerous high-ranking officials, Politburo members, and prominent business leaders. The crackdown has targeted deep-rooted corruption across various sectors, most notably:
Banking and Finance: Involving massive financial fraud and illicit bond issuances.
Real Estate: Concerning illegal land transfers and project approvals that have led to huge state losses.
Public Procurement and Healthcare: Highlighted by scandals related to COVID-19 test kits and repatriation flights during the pandemic.
The term "negative phenomena" (tiêu cực) in the committee's mandate is intentionally broad, referring not only to financial corruption but also to the abuse of power, political degradation, and ethical violations by party members and officials.
General Secretary Tô Lâm's order is seen as a clear message, both internally to officials and externally to the public and international observers, that there will be no slowing down of the anti-corruption drive under the new leadership. The focus remains squarely on rebuilding trust and ensuring that economic development is not undermined by systemic graft.
