Communist Party plenum concludes

Lam viewed as key contender for top job

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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam at an event in Hanoi on Aug 3 last year.AFP

(AFP)

Senior officials of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party concluded a two-day plenum in Hanoi yesterday, finalising decisions on candidates for the country's next top leadership, party chief To Lam said, but no names were released.

Mr Lam is viewed as the leading contender to keep the country's most powerful post, but in line with standard practices in the secretive country, announcements are expected only at the five-yearly party congress scheduled for Jan 19-25.

Mr Lam said delegates "voted with a high level of support" for nominees to key positions, according to his closing speech published on the party's website.

He added that officials agreed to continue public administration reforms and accelerate infrastructure expansion policies he championed during his initial, brief term as party chief.