Lâm played a role in the late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng's anti-corruption campaign, which implicated numerous senior officials to a degree unprecedented in Vietnamese political history.

Lâm is alleged to have led a campaign against dissidents, suppressed civil society organizations, tightened internet censorship, and implicated in various controversies.

On 18 May 2024, he was nominated by the CPV Central Committee to become Vietnam's 13th president, succeeding Võ Văn Thưởng, who resigned in March 2024 due to the anti-corruption campaign.

The National Assembly relieved Tô Lâm of his ministerial post prior to the presidential election, and his protége Lương Tam Quang was appointed public security minister in June 2024.

Tô Lâm was born on 10 July 1957 in Xuân Cầu village, Nghĩa Trụ commune, Văn Giang district, Hưng Yên province, Vietnam.

He is the eldest son of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Colonel Tô Quyền, former Director of Police for Hải Hưng province.

[2] Tô Lâm was born and raised in a family of revolutionary activists, taught and learned about history and the country's situation from a young age.

According to Voice of America, the US Ambassador commented on him:"Lâm is also a tough character, but intelligent and interested in strengthening cooperation with the United States in a number of fields.

"In June 2011, he was appointed Secretary of the Central Police Party Committee, and by September 2014, he was promoted to Colonel General by President Truong Tan Sang.

[12] On 28 July 2016, at the first session of the 14th National Assembly, President Trần Đại Quang appointed him to the position of Minister of Public Security of the 14th Government of Vietnam, term 2016 - 2021.

In 2016, Trịnh Xuân Thanh; former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hậu Giang province and Delegates of the 14th National Assembly; was investigated and concluded that he had many shortcomings and serious violations during his time working at Petrovietnam Construction Joint Stock Corporation; being investigated by the Police Agency, the Ministry of Public Security issued a decision to prosecute the defendant for intentionally violating State regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences; At the same time, issued a temporary arrest warrant and a search warrant for Trịnh Xuân Thanh.

German investigators and Slovak police accused Tô Lâm of directing the arrest of figures from Germany through international cooperation with Slovakia and Russia.

[21] According to German and Slovak authorities, the kidnapping of Thanh occurred during a trip of Lâm in July 2017 and this affected Vietnam's diplomatic relations with Germany and Slovakia.

We can mention the case of Đinh La Thăng: prosecution, trial, and sentence of 30 years in prison for former Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Đinh La Thăng due to economic management violations while holding the position of Chairman of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group;[23] The case of the former Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyễn Bắc Son and Trương Minh Tuấn on charges of violating management regulations, using public investment capital causing serious consequences and accepting bribes, sentenced to life imprisonment and 14 years in prison respectively;[24][25] The case of former Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyễn Đức Chung being arrested and investigated for appropriating secret State documents.

[27][28][29] The attack on two Commune People's Committee headquarters in Đắk Lắk 2023: At a discussion in the National Assembly on June 20, Lâm commented: The incident in Dak Lak shows that security cannot be overlooked at the base.

[33] In 2019, he and his delegation visited South Korea, met with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Prosecutor General Moon Moo-il, strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

"[41] The clip, which was later removed, showed Tô Lâm dining at Salt Bae's expensive restaurant in London, reportedly during his trip to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

They considered it a lavish meal, with the price of the gold-coated beef dish exceeding the minister's monthly salary, especially as Vietnam was suffering heavily from the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions of people facing difficulties.

[43][44][41] The news of a communist official dining at a luxurious restaurant was reported by various media outlets in several countries, with some sources highlighting the contrast between this and his previous act of laying flowers at Karl Marx's grave.

[50][51] Additionally, on November 16, 2021, Bùi Tuấn Lâm, 39, a noodle vendor in Đà Nẵng was reportedly targeted by police after posting a video on his Facebook page in which he imitated Gökce's gesture.

[57] On 21 March 2024, Võ Văn Thưởng submitted his resignation from the presidency after his former subordinates were imprisoned for corruption in the Phúc Sơn Group misconduct case.

Following his arrival in Beijing on the next day, he met with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, and the two leaders held talks and signed cooperation documents.

[69][70] Lâm began a two-day state visit to Ireland on 2 October 2024 by meeting President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina, at Áras an Uachtaráin, the presidential residence.