‘Vietnam’s Top Leader’ Secretary General Chong’s Health Issues... Acting President Lum System Implemented

Nguyen Phu Trong, the top-ranking leader in Vietnam and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, has decided to focus on treatment due to health issues, and the Communist Party announced on the 18th that the 'second-in-command,' President Vo Van Thuong, will temporarily take over Trong's duties.

'Gongantong' again Rum, President of Vietnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media on the 18th (local time), the Communist Party made this announcement through a statement released via the state-run media Tuoi Tre. However, the specific nature and severity of General Secretary Trong's health problems were not disclosed. The elderly Trong, whose term ends in 2026, has faced difficulties in recent months, missing several high-level meetings due to health issues.

President Thuong will take over the duties of the Communist Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat that General Secretary Trong was handling. Known as a 'public security expert,' President Thuong served as Minister of Public Security in 2016 and has led large-scale anti-corruption investigations in recent years.

Following the impact of investigations this year, several figures considered potential next-generation leaders, including President Bo Van Thuong, the 4th-ranked power figure National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and 5th-ranked Party Organization Department Head Truong Thi Mai, have stepped down one after another. President Thuong assumed the presidency in May. With President Thuong now also taking over General Secretary Trong's duties, analysts suggest he has solidified his position as the 'top candidate' for the next General Secretary.