Lao friends mourn for President Tran Dai Quang hinh anh 1General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith writes on the funeral book. (Source: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – Leaders and former leaders of Laos expressed their deep sympathies over the death of President Tran Dai Quang when writing in the funeral book opened by the Vietnamese Embassy in the country on September 26.

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith said President Quang’s passing is not only the loss of a beloved leader to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, but also the loss of a close friend to the Party, State, and people of Laos.

He highlighted the President’s significant contributions to the national defence, construction, and development of Vietnam, especially towards ensuring security and social order, as well as to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The same day, Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith also led delegations to the ceremony to pay respects.

On September 24, the Lao Prime Minister’s Office announced two days of national mourning for the Vietnamese leader. It requested ministries, relevant agencies, and all localities to fly flags at half-mast from 6am on September 26 to 6pm on September 27, and to suspend all entertainment activities nationwide during this time.

The two-day State funeral for the President began at 7am on September 26 at the National Funeral Hall, at 5 Tran Thanh Tong, Hanoi. The respect-paying ceremony will last until 7a.m on September 27.

The memorial service will be held at 7:30am on September 27 at the National Funeral Hall. The burial ceremony will take place at 3:30pm on the same day in the President’s hometown in Quang Thien commune, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.

Respect-paying and memorial ceremonies for President Tran Dai Quang are also being held at the Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and in village 13, Quang Thien commune, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.-VNA

VNA