Vietnamese Leader Nguyen Phu Trong Passes Away at 80

Vietnam’s long-serving leader, Nguyen Phu Trong, has passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, ending a significant political era.

The announcement follows recent reports that Mr. Trong had stepped back to focus on his health, delegating his duties to President To Lam.

Nguyen Phu Trong served as the general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party since 2011 and, at one point, also held the position of president, making him one of the most influential leaders in recent decades.

Mr. Trong was known for his “blazing furnace” anti-corruption campaign and oversaw the rapid growth of Vietnam’s economy.

His death occurs amid a period of political turbulence within Vietnam’s Communist leadership. Recently, three senior leaders resigned following unspecified accusations of misconduct.

An official statement released on Friday confirmed that Mr. Trong died “due to old age and serious illness.”

This follows a surprise government announcement indicating Mr. Trong needed time to “focus on active treatment” for an undisclosed medical condition.

The statement also indicated that the president would assume Mr. Trong’s responsibilities in leading the party’s central committee, politburo, and secretariat.

On the same day, the government honored Mr. Trong with the Gold Star, Vietnam’s highest award, for his contributions to the party and the nation.

Mr. Trong was last seen publicly in late June, welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin on a state visit.

Following this, he missed several events, including the official launch of a book compiling some of his speeches. While the state offered little explanation for his absences, Mr. Trong occasionally acknowledged his health and aging challenges.

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