Speculation is rising about the health of Vietnam’s top leader. Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has let go of his duties to focus on medical treatment. But officials are keeping tight-lipped about his condition.
The announcement came on Thursday. Eighty-year-old Trong has held his position since 2011. Recent years have seen him step up a crackdown on corruption within the party and government.
Trong met Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.
And last year, he held talks with the presidents of China and the United States.
Officials say Trong’s duties have been handed to Vietnam President To Lam for the meantime.