Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will represent Vietnam at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in London on Monday, under the authorization of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the ministry announced.

The state funeral of the Queen is scheduled to take place at the Palace of Westminster in London at 11:00 am on September 19 (local time, or 5:00 pm in Vietnam time on the same day), according to the announcement of the British Royal Family. 

The funeral rituals are expected to last for an hour with the participation of more than 2,000 guests, including many foreign leaders and officials. 

Earlier on September 10, Minister Son visited the residence of UK Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward in Hanoi to write in the Book of Condolences over the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Besides expressing his regret and condolences over the Queen’s death, Son also emphasized his respect for her support for UK-Vietnam cooperative relations. 

The minister extended his deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the UK government, and the entire British people.

One day before, President Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent their respective condolences to King Charles III and Prime Minister Liz Truss, while National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue conveyed the same to the President of the UK Senate John McFall and the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.

The Queen's coffin has been at the Palace of Westminster in London since September 14 and people from across the UK and around the world have flocked to London to bid her farewell, with many even lining up overnight. 

About 1,000 volunteers and police officers have been mobilized to facilitate people’s visits while many emergency stations have been set up for urgent cases.

The visitation is slated to last until 6:30 am on September 19, local time.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, at the age of 96, after more than 70 years of reign since 1952, the longest-serving monarch in British history.

Vietnam and the UK are looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

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