The country officially has no paramount ruler but the party chief holds the most powerful position. Trong has been in the post since 2011.
Vietnam’s President To Lam has taken over the duties of Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong as the ailing leader focuses on an unspecified health treatment, the party said on Thursday (Jul 18).
The party’s powerful Politburo assigned To Lam “to preside over the work of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat”, said a statement from the party’s central office published on state media.
Though Vietnam officially has no paramount ruler, the party chief holds the most powerful position in the Communist-ruled nation. Trong, 80, has been in the post since 2011.
He is due to complete his third term in 2026, but has been in poor health for months, missing several top level meetings.
To Lam was elected president in May after several top leaders quit amid accusations of unspecified wrongdoing, part of a sweeping anti-graft campaign led by Trong. Reuters
