Hanoi, July 18(AseanAll)  — The ruling Communist party of Vietnam has asked Vietnamese President To Lam to take charge of party affairs after its chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the country's most powerful official, stepped aside due to health issues, local media reported on July 18,2024.

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (Photo: VNA)

The party has allowed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to focus on his treatment and assigned Vietnamese President To Lam to preside over the work of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat.

"The Politburo has issued a notice on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's health and assigned Politburo member, President To Lam to be in charge of the work of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat," said an official statement issued by Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

However, the party did not share further details about their chief’s disease or health condition.

The Politburo also directed specialized agencies to mobilize teams of health experts to focus on and provide the best possible treatment to the party chief.

The party's top body also urged the entire party, the people, and the army to put their trust in the leadership and strengthen unity and solidarity.

On the same day, the Politburo decided to award the Gold Star Order to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

This is the highest honor of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam awarded to individuals with great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

The decision to award the Gold Star Order to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the recognition of the Party, State and people for his great and exceptionally outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.