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Vietnam Communist Party chief Trong, 80, dies of ‘old age, serious illness’
- Soviet-educated Nguyen Phu Trong as party general secretary was the most powerful figure in Vietnam and has held the post since 2011
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Vietnam’s Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has died, state media said on Friday, after holding the country’s most powerful position for 13 years. He was 80.
State media, citing information from Trong’s medical team, said he died in the early hours of Friday “after a period of illness”.
It said he died “due to old age and serious illness”, without elaborating.
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Vietnam’s President To Lam took over Trong’s duties on Thursday when the party announced ageing leader needed to focus on medical treatment. Though Vietnam officially has no paramount ruler, the Soviet-educated Trong as party general secretary was the most powerful figure in the Communist-ruled nation and had been in the post since 2011.
In 2021, Trong secured a third term after a rule limiting holders to two terms as party boss was waived, showing his strength and significant political clout in a party that has ruled Vietnam for nearly half a century.
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