Vietnam President Lam takes on duties of party chief as Trong focuses on health

Vietnam’s President To Lam has taken over the duties of Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, who is focusing on an unspecified treatment for his health, the party said on Thursday.

The extraordinary move comes after months of speculation that Trong’s health was weakening. The party did not clarify what treatment he is receiving.

Lam, a former head of internal security, has been widely seen as a top candidate to replace Trong when his term ends in 2026. The party’s powerful Politburo has tasked him with presiding…