Three funeral ceremonies for former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu, who passed away on August 7, took place in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and his hometown in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa on Saturday.

The state funeral in Hanoi began at 8:00 am Friday at the National Funeral Hall at No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street in Hai Ba Trung District, with respect-paying ceremony open to organizations and individuals until 11:59 am on Saturday.

The memorial service started at the venue at 12:30 pm on Saturday while the burial ceremony was held at 2:00 pm the same day at Mai Dich Cemetery in Cau Giay District.

At the same time, respect-paying ceremony and memorial services were also held at the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City and the conference hall of the People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Province, the hometown of the late Party chief Le Kha Phieu.

Former Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang pays condolences to the family of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu at the latter’s funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pays condolences to the family of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu at the latter’s funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

National broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) and national radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) telecast the three ceremonies in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Thanh Hoa Province.

During the two-day state funeral, national flags were flown at half-mast at government buildings and public places, and recreational and entertainment activities were suspended.

Members of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Vietnamese government pay respect to former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu at his funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Le Minh Dien, son of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, expresses gratitude to visitors to the former leader's funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Le Kha Phieu was born on December 27, 1931 in Dong Khe Commune, Dong Son District, Thanh Hoa Province and resided in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, the official VGP News reported.

He joined revolutionary activities in 1947 and became a Party member on June 19, 1949.

He served as General Secretary of the Party Central Committee from December 1997 to April 2001, playing other senior roles in the all-powerful Politburo and the military in his political career.

Under his leadership, Vietnam made great achievements in reform, industrialization, modernization, as well as the building and protection of the nation.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the state funeral for former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan attends the respect-paying ceremony and memorial service for former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in Ho Chi Minh City, August 15, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Former Vietnamese Vice State President Truong My Hoa sheds tears at the respect-paying ceremony and memorial service for former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in Ho Chi Minh City, August 15, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Ho Chi Minh City leaders attend the respect-paying ceremony and memorial service for former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in Ho Chi Minh City, August 15, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

Members of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Vietnamese government pay respects to former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu at his funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

The body of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, placed in a glass casket, is carried out of the National Funeral Hall at No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street in Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Military men join a procession during former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu's funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Military men attend former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu's funeral in Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

A vehicle is prepared to carry the body of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu to Mai Dich Cemetery in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, August 15, 2020. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!