Nguyen Phu Trong, the chairman of the Vietnamese Communist Party, has died at the age of 80 from health problems including strokes, the government said.
Trong died Friday at the 108th Central Military Hospital in Hanoi “due to old age and serious illness,” the statement said.
Trong, leader of Vietnam’s one-party system, has been at the helm of the Communist Party since 2011. Rumors of his deteriorating health have been circulating for days, and he has rarely been seen in public this year after suffering a health crisis in January.
His last public appearance was on June 20, when he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state visit to Vietnam.
His reign as secretary-general was the longest since Le Duan took power after the death of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in 1969, making him one of the most powerful politicians in Vietnam in decades.
On Thursday, the party announced that Trong should focus on medical care and that President To Lam will take over his party duties.
