What Happened Vietnamese President and Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has still not made a public appearence after rumors emerged that he was in precarious health two weeks ago. On May 3, Trong missed a major ceremony attended by other top government officials to pay tribute to the late Vietnamese President Gen. Le Duc Anh. Trong, who also heads the state funeral organizing committee, had been expected to attend the event — fueling speculation regarding the severity of his illness. Why It Matters Uncertainty over the health of Vietnam's supreme leader also risks creating uncertainty in the country's political landscape, especially given the unusual strength of Trong's position in the political system. In October 2018, Trong took on the unprecedented double role of both state and party leader.