International Desk: Nguyen Xuan Phuc has “submitted his resignation from his assigned positions, quit his job and retired”, the VNA said.

Phuc’s sudden departure is an unusual move in communist Vietnam, where political changes are normally carefully orchestrated, with an emphasis on cautious stability.

State media said the Communist party had ruled he was responsible for wrongdoing by senior ministers under him during his 2016-21 stint as prime minister, before he became president.

Two deputy prime ministers were sacked this month in an anti-corruption purge that has led to the arrest of dozens of officials, with many of the allegations relating to deals done as part of Vietnam’s Covid response.

Phuc “took political responsibility as leader when several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers committed violations and shortcomings, causing very serious consequences”, the VNA said, quoting the party central committee’s official statement.