Lê Minh Hưng is a Vietnamese politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He previously held the role of Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, where he was recognized for managing monetary policy and restructuring financial institutions. He later assumed senior leadership positions within the Communist Party of Vietnam before his 2026 appointment as Prime Minister.
The 14th National Assembly of Vietnam approved the appointment of Lê Minh Hưng as Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam on 9 April 2016 following a secret ballot that yielded 403 votes in favor. This career milestone marked his transition into a key technocratic role, ultimately leading to his current position as the 9th Prime Minister of Vietnam.
Educational Foundation
Born in Sơn Tân on 11 December 1970, Hưng pursued academic training that blended linguistics with economic policy. He graduated from Vietnam National University with a degree in French culture and language. He later expanded his expertise in Japan, earning a master's degree in economics and public policy from Saitama University. His training also included a financial analysis and market economy course completed at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 1996.
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Hưng began his tenure at the State Bank of Vietnam in 2010, initially serving as Director General of the Personnel and Organization Department before his appointment as Deputy Governor in 2011. In 2016, he assumed the role of Governor, becoming the youngest person to lead the institution at age 46. During his four-year term, he worked alongside Deputy Governor Nguyễn Thị Hồng to manage monetary policy, focusing on reducing interest rates, restructuring struggling financial institutions, and lowering bad debts. By 2020, on-balance-sheet non-performing loans were maintained below 3%.
Central Committee and Party Leadership
Following his exit from the State Bank in November 2020, Hưng took on significant administrative responsibilities within the Communist Party of Vietnam. In October 2020, he was appointed Chief of the Office of the Central Committee, a position involving the coordination of leadership activities and the management of party assets. He was elected to the 13th Central Committee and the Secretariat in early 2021. By May 2024, he assumed leadership of the Central Organization Commission. In January 2026, he secured a seat on the Politburo.
Premiership
On 7 April 2026, Hưng was sworn in as Prime Minister after receiving a unanimous vote of 495 in favor from the National Assembly. President Tô Lâm subsequently named him Vice Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council. His administration has outlined a policy agenda prioritizing sustainable economic growth, the development of an enabling government, and increased organizational coordination across state institutions.
Fast facts
- Born: 11 December 1970, Sơn Tân
- Education: Saitama University, Vietnam National University
- Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam: 2016–2020
- Prime Minister of Vietnam: 2026–present
- Father: Lê Minh Hương, Minister of Public Security 1996–2002
- Languages: Vietnamese
Questions readers ask
What academic credentials does Lê Minh Hưng hold?
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in French culture and language from Vietnam National University and a master's degree in economics and public policy from Saitama University.
How long was Lê Minh Hưng the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam?
He served in this position for nearly one full term, from 2016 until his dismissal was approved on 11 November 2020.
