HANOI (REUTERS) - Vietnam's National Assembly approved Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc as the country's prime minister on Thursday (April 7), completing a new core leadership trio to rule the fast-growing nation for the next five years.

The 61-year-old rises from deputy prime minister to head of a government tasked with continuing broad economic reforms. He replaces Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, who has served a maximum two terms in office and is no longer part of the Communist Party's top brass.

The legislative endorsement, by 96.1 per cent of the house, was procedural as he was the only candidate chosen by the party at its January congress.

He becomes part of a new triumvirate with party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang, who was endorsed last week.

Parliament will vote on a new Cabinet on Saturday.