19-7-2024 (HANOI) Vietnam’s political landscape has been shaken by the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the country’s top leader and one of its most influential political figures. The Central Committee for the Protection of Officials’ Health announced that Mr Trong died at 1:38 p.m. on 19 July at the 108 Central Military Hospital in Hanoi, citing old age and serious illness as the cause.
The announcement came after a period of intensive medical treatment, during which Mr Trong received care from a team of leading medical experts, as well as support from the Party, the State, and his family. Despite these efforts, the 80-year-old leader could not be saved.
Born in Dong Hoi commune, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, Nguyen Phu Trong was a seasoned politician with an impressive academic background. He held a professorship and a doctorate in political science, specialising in Party building, as well as a bachelor’s degree in literature.
Mr Trong’s political career spanned several decades, during which he held numerous high-ranking positions within the Communist Party of Vietnam. He served as General Secretary of the Party Central Committee for three consecutive terms, was a member of the Politburo for six terms, and sat on the Party Central Committee for seven terms. From October 2018 to April 2021, he held the dual role of General Secretary and President, a rare occurrence in Vietnamese politics.
His journey in politics began at the Communist Magazine, where he climbed the ranks from a staff member to eventually become the Editor-in-Chief. His academic pursuits took him to the Soviet Union, where he studied at the Academy of Social Sciences and defended his doctoral thesis.
Mr Trong’s political ascent saw him serve as Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and later as Secretary. He also held the position of Chairman of the National Assembly for two terms before being elected as General Secretary of the Party Central Committee in 2011, a position he was re-elected to in 2016 and 2021.
Throughout his tenure, Mr Trong was known for his commitment to party ideology and his efforts to combat corruption within the ranks of the Communist Party. His leadership style and policies have significantly shaped Vietnam’s political and economic landscape over the past decade.
The Party Central Committee, National Assembly, President, Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front are expected to issue a special announcement regarding the organisation of a State Funeral for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
