Vietnam Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the country’s most powerful leader, dies at age 80. Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, passed away at 80 following months of illness. Trong had been a dominant force in Vietnamese politics since 2011, known for his anti-corruption campaign that led to significant political upheaval. He was a Marxist-Leninist ideologue who aimed to maintain the party's legitimacy by combating corruption. President To Lam has been appointed as the Party’s highest leader. Trong's death leaves a significant political vacuum in Vietnam.