Vietnamese legislators have elected the Communist Party chief for Ho Chi Minh City as the country's new president.
Nguyen Minh Triet (63), an economic reformer and the sole candidate for the job, won 94 per cent of the National Assembly vote.
Mr Triet, in turn, nominated Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (56) to become the next prime minister.
Mr Triet, from the southern province of Binh Duong, spent most of his time during the Vietnam War promoting communist ideals to young people. He was appointed party chief of southern Song Be province in 1992 and guided the largely agricultural province into one of most attractive places for foreign investors.
Over the weekend, the National Assembly cleared the way for the new leaders after approving the resignation of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (72), President Tran Duc Luong (69), and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An (69).
Yesterday, the assembly elected Nguyen Phu Trong (62), Communist Party chief for Hanoi, as the new chairman of the legislature.
Vietnam is a one-party state with a collective style of leadership. The prime minister is in charge of overseeing the government's day-to-day workings, while the president holds a more ceremonial position.
The country's most powerful leader is the head of the Communist Party.
AP