Viet Nam’s Politburo has appointed Tran Sy Thanh as the new chairman of Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Deputy Chairman of the Central Party Committee’s Economic Commission, starting December 24.

Thanh is currently a member of the Central Party Committee and Secretary of the Lang Son Party Committee.

He was born on March 16, 1971 in Thanh Chuong District, Nghe An Province. Previously, he worked in various positions such as Secretary of the Bac Giang Party Committee in 2012-2015 and Deputy Chairman of the Central Party Committee’s Inspection Commission; Vice Secretary of the Dak Lak Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dak Lak People’s Committee in 2010-2012; and deputy director general of the State Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance during the 2007-2008 period.

The position as PetroVietnam’s chairman has been vacant since March this year. It is considered a "hot seat" as some of its former chairmen, including former Politburo leader Dinh La Thang, have been arrested and under investigation for violating State regulations on economic management. — VNS