A change of the guard is expected when Vietnam's ruling Communist Party chooses new leaders Monday.
Members of the Central Committee, newly elected on Sunday, are set to choose the members of the party's powerful politburo and elect the general secretary.
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and President Tran Duc Luong are expected to step down.
The front runner for the prime minister's job is Khai's first deputy, Nguyen Tan Dung. Nguyen Minh Triet, the party chief in Vietnam's commercial hub Ho Chi Minh city, is the top contender for the president's post.
General Secretary Nong Duc Manh is expected to retain his post as chief of the Communist Party.
The vote comes as the party's five-yearly national congress comes to an end.