Vietnam Communist Party chief Trong dies at 80: state media

Nguyen Phu Trong addresses a press conference after the closing ceremony of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) 13th National Congress at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Feb. 1, 2021, shortly after being reelected to a third term as general secretary of the CPV. AFP-Yonhap

Vietnam's Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has died, state media said on Friday, after holding the country's most powerful position for more than a decade. He was 80.

State media, citing information from Trong's medical team, said he died early afternoon on Friday "after a period of illness."

Vietnam's President To Lam took over Trong's duties on Thursday when the party announced Trong needed to focus on medical treatment. (Reuters)