State media: Chief of the Communist Party Trong in Vietnam passed away
In Vietnam, the Chief of the Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, died at the age of 80. According to state media, Trong passed away on Friday "after a long illness". The party announced on Thursday that Trong was temporarily relinquishing his powerful post as KP General Secretary due to health reasons, to focus on his medical treatment.
The greatest political power in Vietnam lies with the Chief of the Communist Party, while the President of the country has more representative duties. Trong's poor health condition had long fueled speculation about a possible power shift at the Party Congress in 2026. On Thursday, President To Lam temporarily took over Trong's chairmanship of the Communist Party.
After announcing his temporary relinquishment of the KP General Secretary role due to health issues, state media reported Trong's passing away after a prolonged disease on Friday. The Party was expected to undergo a significant power shift at the 2026 Congress, given Trong's health condition, which had previously sparked such speculation. Following Trong's illness, President To Lam temporarily assumed the role of Chairman in Vietnam's Communist Party.
