The 13^th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has agreed to accept Vo Van Thuong's resignation from his positions as a member of the Politburo, member of the 13th CPV Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council for the 2021-2026 term, according to the Vietnam News Agency. 

State President Vo Van Thuong has resigned. Photo: quochoi.vn

The decision was made unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on March 20, after considering  Thuong's resignation letter.

A statement issued by the Party Central Committee Office immediately after the meeting said that the CPV Central Committee regarded Thuong as a key leader of the Party and the State, who has been fundamentally trained and matured from the grassroots and has been assigned to hold many important leadership positions.

However, according to reports from the CPV Central Committee’s Inspection Committee and relevant agencies, Thuong has violated regulations on acts prohibited for Party members and has failed to fulfill his responsibility to set an example for officials and Party members, especially as a member of the Politburo, the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat, the CPV Central Committee, and as the head of the Party and the State as stipulated by Party regulations and State laws.

"The violations and shortcomings of Thuong have caused negative public opinion and damaged the reputation of the Party, the State, and the individual. Being fully aware of his responsibilities to the Party, the State, and the people, he has submitted a resignation letter to relinquish his assigned positions and retire from work," the statement said.

This is the sixth extraordinary meeting of the CPV Central Committee since the beginning of the 2021-2026 term.

Over a year ago, on March 2, 2023, Thuong, then a member of the Politburo, was elected by the National Assembly to serve as State President for the 2021-2026 term. The State President is elected by the National Assembly from among its deputies, so the process of removing  Thuong from office will be carried out by the National Assembly.

Thuong, 54 years old, holds a Master's degree in Philosophy, hails from Mang Thit District, Vinh Long Province, and is the youngest State President upon taking office.