Trương Tấn Sang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Trương Tấn Sang
Trương Tấn Sang in 2015
8th President of Vietnam
In office 25 July 2011 – 2 April 2016
Prime Minister	Nguyễn Tấn Dũng
Vice President	Nguyễn Thị Doan
Preceded by	Nguyễn Minh Triết
Succeeded by	Trần Đại Quang
Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat
In office May 2006 – 3 August 2011
Preceded by	Phan Dien
Succeeded by	Lê Hồng Anh
Head of the Party Central Economic Commission
In office January 2000 – January 2003
Preceded by	Nguyễn Tấn Dũng
Succeeded by	Vương Đình Huệ
Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee
In office June 1997 – January 2000
Preceded by	Vo Tran Chi
Succeeded by	Nguyễn Minh Triết
Chair of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee
In office March 1992 – June 1997
Preceded by	Nguyen Vinh Nghiep
Succeeded by	Vo Viet Thanh
President of the Vietnam Red Cross Society
In office 5 July 2012 – 16 August 2017
Preceded by	Trần Đức Lương
Succeeded by	Trần Đại Quang
Personal details
Born	(1949-01-21) 21 January 1949 (age 76) Đức Hòa District, Long An, French Indochina
Political party	Communist Party of Vietnam (1969–present)
Spouse	Mai Thị Hạnh
Alma mater	National Academy of Public Administration

Trương Tấn Sang (born January 21, 1949) is a Vietnamese politician. He served as the eighth President of Vietnam from 2011 to 2016. He was one of Vietnam's most important leaders.

In July 2011, the National Assembly of Vietnam chose Trương Tấn Sang to be the country's president. He took over from Nguyễn Minh Triết, who was retiring.

Trương Tấn Sang was also a key member of the Central Secretariat. This group helps guide how the country is run. He has been part of the Central Politburo since 1996. The Politburo is a top committee of the Communist Party.

He was the Communist Party secretary for Ho Chi Minh City from 1996 to 2000. In 2009, he moved up to a very high position in the national party.

At the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January 2011, Trương Tấn Sang was chosen to be President. The National Assembly confirmed this on July 25, 2011. On the same day, he suggested Nguyễn Tấn Dũng to be the new head of government.

Early Life and Education

Trương Tấn Sang was born on January 21, 1949. His birthplace was Đức Hòa District in Long An Province, Vietnam.

In 1966, he joined the revolution. From 1966 to 1969, he led a youth and student movement. He became a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam on December 20, 1969.

He was put in prison by the South Vietnamese government in 1971. He was held at Phú Quốc prison. He was set free in 1973 because of the Paris Peace Treaty. Later, in 1990, he earned a law degree from the National Academy of Public Administration.

Political Journey

From 1983 to 1986, Trương Tấn Sang worked in Ho Chi Minh City. He led the city's Forestry Department. He also managed the New Economic Zone Development Department. In 1986, he joined the city's Party Committee.

He became a member of the national party's Central Committee in 1991. In 1992, he became chairman for Ho Chi Minh City. This was a very important role in the city government.

He joined the Politburo in 1997. From 1997 to 2000, he was the party secretary for Ho Chi Minh City. This was the top position in the city government. In April 2001, he moved up to a higher position in the national party. He also became the head of the party's economic commission.

In April 2006, Sang was promoted to an even higher position in the party. He was also named a Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat. This role involves overseeing the party's members and its internal structure.

Rising to National Leadership

Trương Tấn Sang became the party's second-highest leader in October 2009. He started taking on many duties that were usually handled by the General Secretary. This showed his growing influence.

He was known for speaking clearly and in detail without notes. This was different from some other leaders. There were reports of some disagreements between Sang and Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng. Both were seen as practical and focused on the market.

At the Eleventh National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January 2011, Nguyễn Phú Trọng became the General Secretary. Trương Tấn Sang was ranked first on the list of Politburo members. After the congress, Trong was the top leader of the Secretariat, and Sang was ranked second.

Serving as President

Trương Tấn Sang with Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Trương Tấn Sang presenting a portrait of Ho Chi Minh.

The National Assembly of Vietnam elected Trương Tấn Sang as state president on July 25, 2011. He received 97.4 percent of the votes. His term of office was five years.

Sang told the Assembly he would protect Vietnam's independence. He also promised to keep its land safe. He said he would work to solve the Spratly Islands dispute with China peacefully. As president, he aimed to help Vietnam become a modern country by 2020.

The president's role is mostly ceremonial under party rules. However, Sang's power came from his high rank in the Politburo and as the second-highest member of the Secretariat.

On July 25, 2013, Trương Tấn Sang met with US President Barack Obama. They talked about trade between the U.S. and Vietnam.

Family Life

Trương Tấn Sang is married to Mai Thị Hạnh. She was born in 1956. As the First Lady of Vietnam, she took part in many official events.

Awards and Recognition

• Order of José Martí (Cuba, 2015)

See also

• President of Vietnam
• List of presidents of Vietnam
• Human rights in Vietnam

In Spanish: Trương Tấn Sang para niños