Truong Tan Sang, 62, was almost certain to be confirmed for the job by a vote of the one-party National Assembly later in the day, after he was formally nominated as the sole candidate over the weekend.
Sang, the country`s ninth president, will take on a post first held by revered founding father Ho Chi Minh.
Sang has been the ruling Communist Party`s de facto number two since 2006 and mounted an aggressive challenge for the prime minister`s job before the party`s secretive January congress, which determined top leadership posts.
Those positions are being confirmed this week, and Dung is expected to be confirmed to another term as prime minister in a National Assembly vote on Tuesday, cementing his place as the country`s most powerful politician.
Despite their rivalry, the relationship between Dung and Sang is expected to be cordial as the prime minister focuses on trying to bring stability to a troubled economy, said an Asian diplomat.
"He`s not about to pick a fight with his rival," said the diplomat, requesting anonymity.
Like Dung, Sang is a native of southern Vietnam. A student militant imprisoned by the then US-backed South Vietnam regime, Sang later became mayor of Ho Chi Minh City.
Sang replaces Nguyen Minh Triet, who served one term.
(H-AK)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
