Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam is seeking to combine his party role with the state presidency, officials said, in a move that would align Vietnam’s political structure more closely to China’s where President Xi Jinping heads the party and state. Next week some 1,600 delegates will gather in Hanoi to kick off a week-long Communist Party congress, held every five years to select new leaders and set policy goals for the single-party state. Lam, 68, bid for both top positions at a party meeting in December, seeking initial party approval ahead of the congress, three people briefed by the delegates and another three officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. While the sources said the party meeting backed Lam to remain party chief, the three people briefed by delegates gave differing accounts on the question of the presidency, a largely ceremonial role but one currently held by the military. Two said Lam won support for his bid, while the third said the conclusion was unclear. In any case, the final decision rests with delegates who will be elected at the congress.

Full report : Vietnam’s Communist Party chief Lam seeks presidency in China-style expanded power mandate.