Hanoi bans The Economist's printed issue with Vietnam's top leader on cover, say distributor sources

FILE PHOTO: Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary To Lam attends a signing ceremony with Russia's President Vladimir Putin following their meeting in Moscow, Russia May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

(Reuters) -The Economist's latest printed edition for Asia featuring Vietnam's top leader To Lam on its cover has been banned in Vietnam, sources at two local media distributors told Reuters, in a new instance of censorship in the Communist-run country.

The May 24 issue, which is still available in the country in its electronic version, portrays Lam with two stars on his eyes on a red backdrop, in a reference to the country's national flag, with the title: "The man with a plan for Vietnam".