Vietnamese leaders resign

There is going to be a major change of personnel at the top of the Vietnamese government. President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and parliament leader Nguyen Van An have all resigned, while the ministries of finance, foreign affairs, defence, the interior, transport, health, culture and information are all due to change hands.

The top three leaders have been expected to step down ever since they failed to be re-elected to the Communist Party’s Politburo in April. But the changes do not signal political upheaval. Instead it is thought the party wants younger figures to move forward and replace the trio, who are all in their late sixties or early seventies. A one party state, Vietnam is going through a period of transition, as it enjoys rapid economic growth and will join the World Trade Organisation later this year.

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