Vietnam: Ton Duc Thang (1888-1980) Vietnamese nationalist and communist politician

Ton Duc Thang (August 20, 1888 -March 30, 1980) was the second and final president of North Vietnam and the first president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the rule of Le Duan. The position of president is ceremonial and Thang was never a major policymaker or even a member of the Politburo, Vietnam's ruling council. He served as president, initially of North Vietnam from September 2, 1969, and later of a united Vietnam, until his death in 1980. He was a key Vietnamese nationalist and Communist political figure, was chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee 1955-1960 and served as the vice president to Ho Chi Minh from 1960 to 1969.