Nguyen Phu Trong, the chair of Vietnam’s Communist Party, has died aged 80 after suffering from ill health, including strokes, the government said.
Trong died “due to old age and serious illness” at the 108 Central Military Hospital in Hanoi on Friday, the statement read.
Trong, the head of Vietnam’s single-party political system, had helmed the Communist Party since 2011. Rumours about his deteriorating health had been swirling for days, and he had rarely been seen in public this year since suffering a health scare in January.
He last appeared in public on June 20 as he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state visit to Vietnam.
His reign as general secretary was the longest since Le Duan took control following the death of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in 1969, making him one of Vietnam’s most powerful politicians in decades.
On Thursday, the party announced that Trong needed to focus on medical treatment and that President To Lam would take over his party duties.
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