Chairman of the central highlands Kon Tum Province's People Committee, Dao Xuan Quy
Quy, 58, had earlier refused to stand for election to Kon Tum Province People's Council for the 2016-2021 tenure.
Quy used to work at the Finance Department of the Gia Lai - Kon Tum Province before it was separated into Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces in 1991. After that, Quy was appointed party secretary of Kon Plong District and then Kon Ray District in Kon Tum Province.
Quy became vice chairman of provincial people's committee before being nominated deputy party secretary of the province-cum-chairman of the province's people's committee in April last year.
In his resignation letter Quy said he decided to resign two years before his term ended because he admitted he had major shortcomings and hadn't been able to help Kon Tum reduce poverty and eliminate hunger faster.
"I also want to have more time with my family and friends when I am still healthy," he wrote.
As it is rare to see an official resign in Vietnam, Quy's decision has received lots of support and praise from the public many of whom said that he was very courageous and should represent a benchmark for other officials who felt the tasks before them were too overwhelming.
Kon Tum Province's Party Committee meet to discuss Quy's resignation today.
