Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam
Post	Deputy Prime Minister
Body	Vietnam
Native name	Phó Thủ tướng Chính phủ nước Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam
Insigniacaption	National Emblem
Department	Government of Vietnam
Member of	Cabinet, Politburo (often)
Reports to	Prime Minister, National Assembly
Seat	Hanoi
Appointer	National Assembly
Termlength	Five years, renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Vietnam
Inaugural	Phan Kế Toại, Phạm Văn Đồng
Formation	20 September 1955

Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam. The Deputy Prime Minister is a senior member of the Government of Vietnam, serving directly under the Prime Minister of Vietnam. The position is established by the Constitution of Vietnam and plays a critical role in the administration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Deputy Prime Ministers are typically high-ranking members of the Communist Party of Vietnam and often hold seats on the powerful Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Role and responsibilities

Deputy Prime Ministers assist the Prime Minister of Vietnam in directing the activities of the Government of Vietnam and are assigned to oversee specific portfolios or critical national sectors. They often chair important governmental committees, such as those related to COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam prevention or Mekong Delta sustainable development. Their duties include supervising ministries like the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and they represent the government at key international forums like the World Economic Forum and ASEAN summits. They are empowered to resolve inter-ministerial disputes and make decisions on behalf of the Prime Minister within delegated authority.

Appointment and removal

The appointment process for Deputy Prime Ministers is conducted by the National Assembly of Vietnam upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the President of Vietnam. This process occurs following the election of a new Prime Minister, typically during the first session of a new National Assembly of Vietnam term. Removal from office can occur through resignation, reassignment, or a vote of confidence by the National Assembly of Vietnam, often in conjunction with major political events like the National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The final decision for dismissal is made by the National Assembly of Vietnam based on proposals from the Prime Minister of Vietnam or the President of Vietnam.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers

Since the establishment of the position in 1955 with figures like Phan Kế Toại and Phạm Văn Đồng, numerous prominent leaders have served. Notable historical Deputy Prime Ministers include Võ Nguyên Giáp, a legendary military commander from the First Indochina War, and Nguyễn Cơ Thạch, a key architect of Vietnam's foreign policy post-Vietnam War. In the Đổi Mới reform era, influential figures such as Vũ Khoan and Phan Văn Khải used the role to advance economic renovation. The list reflects the political evolution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam across different periods.

Current Deputy Prime Ministers

As of the current government term formed by the 15th National Assembly of Vietnam, the Deputy Prime Ministers are Trần Lưu Quang, Trần Hồng Hà, and Lê Minh Khái. Each oversees a distinct bloc of responsibilities: Trần Lưu Quang focuses on domestic security and social affairs, Trần Hồng Hà manages natural resources, environment, and science-technology, while Lê Minh Khái is charged with economic management, finance, and State Bank of Vietnam oversight. They are all members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and implement directives from the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Historical development

The office was formally instituted in 1955 under the Democratic Republic of Vietnam led by Hồ Chí Minh. Its role expanded significantly during the Vietnam War, with Deputy Prime Ministers coordinating war efforts and international aid from allies like the Soviet Union and China. The Đổi Mới reforms initiated at the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1986 transformed the position into a key driver of economic policy, managing integration with organizations like the World Trade Organization. The constitutional revisions of 1992 Constitution of Vietnam and 2013 Constitution of Vietnam further codified its legal standing and responsibilities within the state apparatus.

Relationship with other government bodies

Deputy Prime Ministers operate at the nexus of party and state power, executing resolutions from the Communist Party of Vietnam and the National Assembly of Vietnam. They work closely with the Office of the Government of Vietnam and report to standing committees of the National Assembly of Vietnam, such as the Finance and Budget Committee. They coordinate with the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security on national security matters and liaise with mass organizations like the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Their decisions are subject to oversight by state audit bodies like the State Audit Office of Vietnam and must align with the broader directives set by the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Category:Deputy Prime Ministers of Vietnam Category:Government of Vietnam