Le Duan

Le Duan (1908-1986), Vietnamese Communist leader, born in Quang Tri Province. As a young man he became active in the anti-French nationalist movement and was imprisoned for his activities from 1931 to 1936 and again from 1940 to 1945. He subsequently became a leader in the Viet Minh struggle against the French and gradually rose through the Communist Party hierarchy. In 1959 he was made secretary general of the party, second only to Chairman Ho Chi Minh. Le Duan took over as leader of the party after Ho's death in 1969 but did not assume the title of chairman in deference to Ho's memory. As head of the Communist Party, he was the most powerful leader of reunited Vietnam.