The ‘First Lady’ Who Redefines Vietnam’s Diplomacy and Politics

Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of To Lam, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), is rapidly emerging as a transformative figure in Vietnam’s international diplomacy. She accompanies To Lam on nearly all foreign visits and in hosting foreign leaders in Vietnam. Through her frequent engagement in cultural and social activities with foreign counterparts, she has elevated Vietnam’s diplomatic outreach and enhanced To Lam’s public image, thereby contributing to his political standing.

During To Lam’s visit to Singapore in March 2025, for example, Ly participated in discussions on cultural issues with Loo Tze Lui, spouse of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnam National Academy of Music and Singapore’s Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. More recently, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam in May 2025, Ly accompanied Brigitte Macron on tours of the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts and the Temple of Literature, sharing insights into Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage with the French First Lady.

Ly’s visible and proactive diplomatic role is reminiscent of the role played by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has actively contributed to her husband’s foreign policy agendas. It also stands in stark contrast to the traditionally subdued presence of spouses of other Vietnamese leaders. For example, Ngo Thi Man, wife of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, was rarely seen at public events. Other leaders’ spouses also played little, if any, public role in diplomacy, with their contributions largely going unnoticed. This reflected the conservative norms of Vietnam’s political culture, which often relegated spouses to the background.

Unlike the US and other Commonwealth countries, Vietnam does not have a tradition of having a first lady. But Ly could be seen as playing a role approximate to one. Ly has managed to carve out an influential role for herself, using her distinct background to her advantage. Born into a prominent artistic family, she was shaped by a cultured environment. Her late father, Ngo Manh Lan, was a renowned animation director, and her mother, Phan Ngoc Lan, was a celebrated actress. Ly’s elder sister, Ngo Phuong Lan, is a film critic and former director of the Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture and Information. Ly herself works as a culture and arts director at Vietnam Television, a role that equips her with the expertise to engage in cultural diplomacy. This background has naturally prepared her for high-profile interactions centred on arts and culture. It also enables her to connect with international counterparts in a way that resonates with Vietnam’s soft power and diplomatic aspirations.

…Ly’s elegant and active public presence helps soften To Lam’s image and present him as a modern and approachable leader. This carries symbolic weight in Vietnam’s patriarchal political landscape.

Ly’s assertive approach is also the result of deliberate intent. Unofficial reports indicate that during foreign trips, she expressed to Vietnamese diplomats her desire to contribute meaningfully to the substance of To Lam’s official agenda. In doing so, she rejected the passive role of a “walking vase”, a term for a spouse who merely accompanies her husband without impactful contributions. Her confidence and visibility in these settings not only enhance Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy but also serve as a strategic asset for To Lam, whose public image has been shaped by his background as a security strongman.

As a four-star general and former minister of public security from 2016 to 2024, To Lam’s reputation was forged in the crucible of Vietnam’s security apparatus and the aggressive anti-corruption campaign initiated by his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong. This campaign, for which To Lam was the main executor, targeted high-ranking officials, including his political rivals, cementing his image as a formidable and feared leader. His subsequent consolidation of power saw him appointing allies from the public security force and his home province of Hung Yen to key positions. This further reinforced perceptions of him as a strongman intent on building a lasting authoritarian rule.

In order to soften his public image and boost his political popularity, To Lam has pursued a two-pronged strategy. Domestically, he has promoted a reformist agenda, including bureaucratic streamlining, massive infrastructure investments, and policies like free education and proposed free healthcare. These initiatives aim to project him as a reform-minded leader committed to Vietnam’s development and the people’s well-being. Internationally, he has adopted a balanced foreign policy, deepening ties with Western countries while maintaining strong relations with China and Russia. This approach counters concerns that his security background might tilt Vietnam towards authoritarian partners.

Against this backdrop, Ly’s elegant and active public presence helps soften To Lam’s image and present him as a modern and approachable leader. This carries symbolic weight in Vietnam’s patriarchal political landscape. By actively participating in diplomatic engagements, she projects an image of modernity and gender progress, subtly challenging established norms that have long kept the spouses of Vietnamese leaders in the shadows. Unlike his predecessors, who rarely involved their spouses in official duties, To Lam’s apparent comfort with his wife’s prominent role suggests a strategic embrace of this dynamic. Ly’s poised demeanour and cultural expertise humanise To Lam, portraying him as a leader with both a compassionate side and a supportive family. This, in turn, enhances his appeal on both domestic and international stages.

This is particularly significant as the CPV’s 14th National Congress in early 2026 is approaching, where To Lam is set to secure another term as the Party chief. The softening of his authoritarian image through Ly’s diplomatic contributions lends him greater legitimacy and popular support, which may prove crucial for him to consolidate his leadership in the one-party state for the next five years or potentially longer.

2025/218