Vietnam Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong Dies at 80 on July 19

Jul 19, 2024, 11:00 AM

Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the country's most powerful leader, has died at the age of 80. State media reported that Trong passed away at 1:38 p.m. on Friday, July 19, at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi due to old age and severe illness. Vietnam News Agency confirmed his death. Trong's passing marks the end of his 14-year tenure, during which he oversaw significant economic growth and implemented 'bamboo diplomacy' to balance relations with both China and the United States. President To Lam has taken over Trong's duties as the caretaker of the Communist Party.