Phạm Minh Chính

Phạm Minh Chính (Vietnamese: [faːm˧˨ʔ mïŋ˧˧ t͡ɕïŋ˧˦]; born 10 December 1958) is a Vietnamese politician and former public security lieutenant general. He has served as the eighth prime minister of Vietnam since 2021, and currently ranks third in the Communist Party after General Secretary Tô Lâm and President Lương Cường

A member of the Politburo since 2016, Chính is also the Vice Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council of Vietnam. He is a Member of the National Assembly and held the rank of Lieutenant General in the People's Public Security Forces.

Prior to his premiership, Chính was the Head of the Party's Central Organizing Commission, Head of the Committee of Internal Political Protection and a former Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party (2016–2021). He also served as the Party Secretary (de facto Governor) of Quảng Ninh province (2011–2015), Deputy Minister of Public Security (2010–2011), Head of the MPS General Department of Logistics and Technology (2010) and Deputy Head of the MPS General Department of Intelligence (2006–2009).

He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, a Doctor of Law, and an Advanced Degree in Political Theory. Chính holds the academic rank of Associate Professor in National Security Studies.

On 5 April 2021, Chính became the prime minister of Vietnam, succeeding Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The first year of his premiership was overshadowed by the resurgence of COVID-19 in Vietnam around April 2021. As the Head of the COVID-19 National Steering Committee, he was dubbed the "Commander-in-chief" in Vietnam's response to the pandemic alongside Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. Thanks to the nationwide vaccination strategy, Vietnam reopened its economy and registered positive GDP growth for 2021 before breaking a record high rate in 2022. In foreign affairs, his government has established close relationships with many countries, including upgrades in diplomatic relations with Australia and the United States.