Vietnam’s parliament has selected army general Luong Cuong as president, replacing To Lam, the chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Axar.az reports that in a session yesterday, the National Assembly unanimously voted for Cuong to succeed Lam, who continued to serve as president even after being appointed as the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, making him the sixth person to hold the position in six years.

Cuong, 67, is a standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Secretariat and previously served as the director of the political department in the People's Army of Vietnam.

While the general secretary is the most powerful role in Vietnam, the presidency mainly involves ceremonial duties, such as engaging with foreign dignitaries.