The latest printed version of The Economist, featuring the cover of Vietnam’s supreme leader, was banned in the country, the latest example of the Communist media censorship.

The magazine carries the image of the Communist Party’s secretary-general, wears stars, with the title “People with Vietnamese Plans” and has an article with a subtitle: “A Communist hard man must rescue Asia’s great success story.”

Vietnam has transformed it into a manufacturing powerhouse in recent decades and is one of Asia's fastest growing economies last year. But its export-dependent economy depends largely on sending goods to the United States, facing threats from a 46% tariff announced earlier this year by Donald Trump.

The Economist article points out that Vietnam needs to change its economic strategy, “If Mr. Lin fails, Vietnam will fall into a low-value production center and miss the moment”, adding that reforms can drive 10 million Vietnamese into developed countries and create another Asian growth engine”.

Both Reuters and Bloomberg reports quoted unnamed distributors who said they were unable to obtain copies of the magazine or had been banned.

Ngay Moi, an executive who asked not to be named, told Reuters they were ordered to "demolite" the cover and article about Lam, adding: "Later, we were ordered not to sell it."

Employees of the second publisher Global Books also told Vietnam’s ministries responsible for public information that had banned the version.

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry and economists did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, Vietnamese authorities ordered telecom providers to block messaging app telegraph, accusing it of failing to work together to fight crime. An internal document reported by Reuters said many telegraph groups "thousands of participants were created by the dissemination of anti-government documents by opposition and reactionary themes."

Vietnam has little tolerance for dissent and maintains strict control in the media, with press freedom reporter Sansansières ranking it as one of the worst media freedoms in the world - 173rd in the 180 countries index. The group describes Vietnam as “one of the biggest prisons for journalists”.

RSF Advocacy Officer Aleksandra Bielakowska said the decision to ban economists' distribution reflects the country's continued crackdown on press freedom.

"It is obvious that the Vietnamese authorities believe that the free media is a challenge to its one-party rule and will do everything possible to keep the independent voice silent," Bielakowska said.

She added: “While the Vietnamese authorities seek reconciliation with democracies to promote their economies, the international community as a whole must seize this opportunity to put human rights and freedom of the press on the frontlines of their negotiations.”