Vuong Dinh Hue’s visit to Beijing on April 7 is considered a “request for help” trip. At that time, the former Vietnamese top legislator was looking for ways to save himself before Minister of Public Security To Lam’s attack. This trip was quite long, and there were senior officials who wanted to join the Politburo accompanying him, namely Tran Quoc To and Tran Luu Quang.
Hue’s trip was only in the name of Chairman of the National Assembly, because Hue met Xi Jinping before meeting his Chinese counterpart. If he really visited as the head of the Vietnamese legislature, Hue cannot bring along senior officials from the executive agencies, such as Deputy Minister of Public Security Tran Quoc To and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang. It is only possible to go “for help” without distinction between the executive or the legislature, as long as anyone has a need and “asks to be taken care of” then they can accompany them.
In reality, Hue’s trip to “ask for help” failed. Because as soon as he returned home, he was beaten up and had to retire.
So the question is, will To and Quang be implicated because of Hue’s failure?
When Communists want to mentor their juniors, they often bring them along to introduce them to partners on their business trips. For example, on December 12, 2022, Vo Van Thuong, then the permanent member of the Secretariat, led the survey team of the Central Steering Committee, summarizing 20 years of implementing Resolution 23 of the Central Committee, working with the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. On this trip, Thuong brought along Nguyen Minh Triet – the youngest son of Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, to introduce him to HCM City’s leaders although Triet has no role in this business trip.
It is possible that To and Quang accompanied Hue to Beijing, with the same purpose. And we cannot rule out the possibility that these two people also “asked for help” to seek future positions for themselves, especially positions in the Politburo.
But Hue fell from his horse, proving that Xi Jinping did not help. Thus, if To and Quang also “asked for help,” they would not necessarily be satisfied.
The Vietnamese leaders’ habit of “asking for help” every time they want to get promoted only makes the Communist Party and the country of Vietnam more and more dependent on China.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s way of doing politics and seizing power over the years is a “shining example” for future emerging figures. Trong’s defeating Nguyen Tan Dung is said to be due in no small part to his connection with Xi Jinping.
Trong’s “example” has now caused factions within the Party to flock to Beijing every time there is a fight. Minister To Lam went to Beijing in September 2023. After returning, he took action, “killing” a series of comrades. Hue, whose political life was threatened, also fled to Beijing. To and Quang, who needed to join the Politburo, also accompanied him.
So, has Trong’s “example” made the Communist Party of Vietnam need Beijing more and more?
In fact, when there are so many people coming to ask for help, including those who are beating and being beaten, who will Xi choose? Perhaps, Xi does not need to intervene, just let the chickens in the “coop” fight wildly, whoever falls is eliminated, whoever wins is chosen.
Even if Tran Quoc To and Tran Luu Quang have begged for help, they will have to fight on their own. Xi has no intention of trying to save this person and trample on that person, while everyone has the intention of “taming.”
The more chaotic the Vietnamese Communist Party is, the more China benefits.
Hoang Phuc – Thoibao.de
