The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the executive branch and body of the state administration of Vietnam. The members of the Government are appointed by the president of Vietnam on the advice of the prime minister of Vietnam and approved by the National Assembly. The government is led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which is headed by the CPV general secretary, often seen as the highest political post in Vietnam.

The general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, simply and informally the general secretary, is the current title for the holder of the highest office within the Communist Party of Vietnam and practically being the highest position in the politics of Vietnam. The general secretaryship used to be the second-highest office within the party when Hồ Chí Minh was the chairman, a post which existed from 1951 to 1969, and since 1969, the general secretary has generally been regarded as the highest leader of Vietnam. The general secretary also holds the title of the secretary of the Central Military Commission, the leading party organ on military affairs. The current general secretary is Nguyễn Phú Trọng, ranking first in the Politburo. The position was once designated the first secretary from 1951 to 1976.