President who succeeded Ho Chi Minh and signed the 1979 mobilization decree
Southern labour activist and president of Vietnam. Imprisoned on Côn Đảo for revolutionary activity, he joined the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930. After 1945 he held leading posts in the National Assembly and united front and became vice-president in 1960. He succeeded Ho Chi Minh as president in 1969 and continued after reunification in 1976. He issued the mobilization decree during the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. Executive power remained with Lê Duẩn’s party leadership; Tôn was not a Politburo member.
Also known as: Ton Duc Thang
Activities and affiliations
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1930–1980
Communist Party of Vietnam / Workers' Party of Vietnam
Legislature and state representation -
1969–1980
Vietnam state institutionsPresident of VietnamMain
Legislature and state representation
Career Timeline
- 1927Joined the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League
- 1929Imprisoned by France and deported to Côn Đảo
- 1930Joined the Indochinese Communist Party in prison
- 1955–1960Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee
- 1960–1969Vice-President of North Vietnam
- 1969–1980President of North Vietnam and unified Vietnam