Vietnam Party committee approves president's resignation

Thuong will leave his positions as president, member of the Politburo, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, and president of the defense and security council for the 2021-2026 term, per a decision announced at an extraordinary session of the committee.

A statement from the office of the Party Central Committee said Thuong, as a key leader of the Party and the state, was entrusted with several important leadership positions of the Party and the state.

However, he had committed violations to Party regulations, according to reports by the Central Inspection Commission and other relevant authorities.

"Vo Van Thuong's violations and flaws have negatively affected public perception, as well as the reputation of the Party and the state. Being aware of his responsibilities before the Party, the state and the people, Thuong has sent in his resignation from his positions," it said.

This has been the 6th extraordinary session of the committee since the beginning of its 2021-2026 term.

Following the Party committee's session, the National Assembly will hold an extraordinary session to decide on the president position.

Thuong, 54, from the southern province of Vinh Long, became the president for the 2021-2026 term on March 2 last year, after his predecessor Nguyen Xuan Phuc requested to be relieved of his duty.

With a master's degree in philosophy, Thuong began his political careers in leadership positions at the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union Central Committee.

He became the Party Secretary of the central province of Quang Ngai in August 2011, then the standing deputy Party secretary of HCMC in 2014. He became the head of the Commission for Information and Education in February 2016.

He was a permanent member of the Secretariat from February 2021 to March 2023.