President of Vietnam
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This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Vietnam
Contents
[edit] Office
The President of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Chủ tịch nước Việt Nam) is the head of state of Vietnam, although the functions of the President are often ceremonial. The President is responsible for appointing the Prime Minister and the Cabinet from among the members of the National Assembly, basing his or her decision upon indications from the Assembly itself. Other offices the president holds include (nominal) Commander of the Vietnamese military, and Head of the Council on National Defense and Security. He is also always a high-ranking member of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, as Vietnam is a single-party state. So far, all presidents have been male.
[edit] Election
The President is elected by the National Assembly for a five year term. He is always elected from the Assembly itself.
[edit] History of the Presidency
The position of President was created when the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established on 2 July 1976. There have been six presidents since that point (assuming that Nguyen Huu Tho, who was only Acting President, is not counted). From 4 July 1981, the title was changed from President to Chairman of the State Council, but was restored to President from 22 September 1992.
