Vietnam's Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong Dies at 80; To Lam Takes Over

Jul 19, 2024, 12:38 PM

Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the country's most powerful leader, has died at the age of 80. Trong, who had been in power since 2011, passed away on July 19 at 1:38 p.m. at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi due to old age and severe illness. His death marks the end of a significant era in Vietnamese politics, during which he oversaw rapid economic growth and maintained a delicate balance in international relations, particularly with China and the United States, through his 'bamboo diplomacy.' President To Lam has taken over as the caretaker of the Communist Party of Vietnam following Trong's death. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Russian President Vladimir Putin have sent their condolences.