Vietnam president resigns amid scandal

Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down

Peter Weber, The Week US's avatar
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Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Thuong
Thuong's departure is a "worrying sign for political stability" in Vietnam
(Image credit: Philip Reynaers / Photonews via Getty Images)

What happened

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong abruptly stepped down amid a growing corruption scandal, the country's Communist Party announced on Wednesday. His resignation comes one year after his predecessor, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, resigned over allegations of misconduct in his administration.

Who said what

Thuong's "violations and flaws have negatively affected public perception as well as the reputation of the party and the state," Vietnam's Communist Party Central Committee said. 

The commentary

Thuong's departure is a "worrying sign for political stability" in Vietnam, The Associated Press said. It comes after the government "ramped up efforts to weed out wrongdoing among senior leadership," Bloomberg said. Investors are "becoming nervous as the corruption crackdown drags on and expands to private businesses," the Financial Times said.

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What next?

Vietnam's legislature on Thursday appointed Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan as acting president, and he will serve "until the party decides the next candidate," Reuters said.

Peter Weber, The Week US
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.