Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh

A 91.09% majority in the National Assembly secured Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh the position of Vice President of Vietnam on 8 April 2016. Her career within the state apparatus spanned decades, moving from municipal bureaucratic roles in Ho Chi Minh City to the highest offices of the nation, marking a significant advancement for female representation in Vietnamese politics.

Political Progression

Born on 25 December 1959 in Duy Trinh, Đặng joined the Communist Party of Vietnam on 19 November 1979. Before entering national governance, she built experience within the Ho Chi Minh City municipal bureaucracy. Her legislative footprint includes serving as a member of the 11th and 13th sessions of the National Assembly. In 2010, she took on the role of Secretary of the Vĩnh Long Provincial Party Committee, effectively acting as the leader of the province.

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Vice Presidency and Historic Presidency

Đặng served as the 16th vice president of Vietnam from 2016 to 2021. Following the death of President Trần Đại Quang on 21 September 2018, she assumed the role of acting president. This transition made her the first woman to hold the Vietnamese presidency and the first female head of state in a communist country since Soong Ching-ling of China. She held this acting position until 23 October 2018, when Nguyễn Phú Trọng was elected and sworn in as the successor.

Policy Focus and Retirement

Throughout her tenure, Đặng prioritized gender equality and women's empowerment, advocating for increased participation of women across economic, political, cultural, and social domains. By January 2021, during the 13th National Party Congress, she was excluded from the new Party Central Committee list. She officially retired from political life in April 2021.