Leaders of many countries, including Laos, China, Cambodia, Cuba, and Russia, have offered condolences to Vietnamese leaders and people after General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 pm on Friday in Hanoi.

They sent telegrams and letters of condolence to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Vietnamese people.

The content of their telegrams and letters of condolence is as follows:

Laos: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an outstanding leader in the new era

The Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao National Assembly, the President of Laos, the Lao Government, the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction, and the people of Lao ethnic groups expressed their deep condolences over the passing of the Vietnamese Party chief.

The Party, State, and people in Vietnam lost a steadfast revolutionary leader.

Lao leaders stated in their condolence letter that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong devoted all his energy and intelligence to important works in the cause of national liberation and reunification, and the renewal of the Communist Party of Vietnam, especially the Party building and rectification, as well as in the fight against corruption and other irregularities, helping Vietnam continuously develop, thus raising the country's position in the region and the world. 

Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong has become an outstanding leader of the era, Laos leaders affirmed.

They added that the Party, State and people of Laos lost an extremely close and dear comrade.

“Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is a revolutionary leader in the new era, the successor of President Ho Chi Minh, who has made great, valuable and important contribution to strengthening and cultivating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, the two states and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam during the past time.” 

Lao leaders voiced their belief that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will turn this loss into solidarity strength, continue moving forward, building Vietnam into an industrialized and modernized country, and achieving the target of rich people, a strong country, and a fair, democratic, and civilized society.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (C), President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith (L), and President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen at their meeting in 2021. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

China: “Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong lives forever with us!”

“The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people lost a good comrade, a good brother, a good friend. We send our deepest condolences and most sincere regards to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the state and people of Vietnam,” read China leaders’ condolences to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Party leader was a staunch Marxist and a great leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. He dedicated his entire life to the cause of his Party and nation, making outstanding contributions to Vietnam's Doi Moi (renewal), the cause of building socialism in Vietnam as well as the socialist movement in the world, China’s message said.

China claimed that Vietnamese Party General Secretary Trong was a close comrade and a sincere friend of the CPC and the Chinese people, noting that he inherited and developed the traditional comrades-plus-brothers friendship between the two Parties and two countries, and forged a profound friendship with the CPC and Chinese leaders.

The Vietnamese Party chief and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping jointly elevated the China-Vietnam relations to a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance and promoted the continuous development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The CPC, the Chinese government and people will always miss comrade Nguyen Phu Trong.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The CPC said it believes that CPV and the Vietnamese people will turn grief into strength, carry on the legacy of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, stay united and strive to make new and greater achievements in the cause of Doi Moi and socialism building.

China and Vietnam are socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers and a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, China’s letter of condolence said.

China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and stands ready to work with Vietnam to continuously consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and step up the building of this community to benefit the two peoples and contribute to promoting peace and development in the region and the world.

Cambodia: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s passing is a huge loss

President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen expressed his sadness at Party General Secretary Trong's passing in his letter of condolence, saying it was a great loss to the CPV, the Vietnamese State and the entire Vietnamese people.

The legacy of General Secretary Trong, a clear-minded leader who devoted his entire life to the struggle for Vietnam's independence and for peace and prosperity of the Vietnamese people will be remembered by many generations, Hun Sen wrote.

“Comrade General Secretary has consolidated the strong fraternal friendship with Cambodia and persistently made efforts over the years to enhance close cooperation not only between the Cambodian People's Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam, but between the two governments and people of our two countries,” the Cambodian leader added.

On behalf of the Cambodian People's Party and the Cambodian People, Hun Sen offered his deep and sincere condolences to the family of Party General Secretary Trong.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and President of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also sent a condolence letter to his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

He wrote that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong devoted his whole life to the revolutionary cause of the CPV and peace, development, and prosperity of Vietnam. Vietnam has lost an outstanding leader, and Cambodia has lost a good friend who always strived to contribute to the Vietnam-Cambodia brotherly relationship.

In a letter of condolence sent to Vietnamese NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Khuon Sudary described Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as an outstanding leader, with profound vision and great dedication, who had a great impact on Vietnam's socio-economic development and institutional modernization.

His passing away leaves a great loss to not only Vietnam but also all people who had the honor of knowing him, Khuon Sudary wrote.

“We are extremely grateful for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's continuous dedication in promoting the strong relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia as well as his important role in bringing the two countries closer together,” she stated.

Cuba: an irreparable loss

General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez also expressed their deepest condolences to the family of Party General Secretary Trong and the Vietnamese people.

The passing away of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an irreparable loss for Cuba. Cuba will always remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as a great brother who tirelessly promoted the special friendly relations between the two Parties, parliaments, governments, and peoples, the letter read.

The National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba paid a minute's silence in memory of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during its sitting on July 19, 2024 (local time). Photo: National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba

“Our beloved friend Nguyen Phu Trong will be remembered by generations of Cubans as a pillar in the long-standing traditional friendship between our two countries and as a great brother who was always ready to give his hand of solidarity to Cuba in the most complex and challenging situations.”

They recalled Party General Secretary Trong's visit to Cuba in March 2018, and especially the memorable moments of his trip to Santiago de Cuba to pay homage to his friend, a historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez in Hanoi. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal

“Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong's life and career are a priceless legacy for future generations. His contributions to the role of the Communist Party, the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, and his vision of international relations in the current context are among his outstanding contributions to the building of socialism in Vietnam. This will be reflected in new victories in the Doi Moi cause in Vietnam under the wise leadership of the CPV,” read the letter.

Cuban leaders shared their belief that the example that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong set and the legacy he left will be an invaluable source of encouragement for all efforts of Vietnamese people.

"We would like to reiterate to comrade To Lam our support and solidarity, along with our steadfast will to continue strengthening the unbreakable brotherly bond that connects Cuba and Vietnam. We would like to send you a hug of friendship and most respectful greetings.”

Russia: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a great friend

Vladimir Putin sent his letter of condolence to Vietnamese State President To Lam.

He wrote “Nguyen Phu Trong devoted his whole life to serving his homeland. Over the years of serving in high-responsibility state and party posts, he has earned deep respect from his compatriots and significant weight in international affairs.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) received Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2018. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

In Russia, he will always be remembered as a true friend, who made a great personal contribution to the establishment and development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Hanoi, Putin said.

The Russian leader added that “I had a chance to spend time with this wonderful person many times, and I will forever cherish the memory of him.”

He expected Vietnamese State President To Lam to convey his words of sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of Party General Secretary Trong, as well as to all the friendly people of Vietnam.

In her letter of condolence, Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, wrote “a great friend of Russia, an experienced political activist, and a famous state leader has passed away,” adding that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made many contributions to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, as well as the cooperation between the two countries' parliaments.

The letter of Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin read that it is difficult to fully appreciate the great contributions by comrade Nguyen Phu Trong to strengthening the friendship between Russia and Vietnam. 

On behalf of the National Duma deputies of the Russian Federation, he extended his condolences to the family of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 pm on July 19, 2024 in Hanoi, Nhan Dan (People) newspaper cited information from the Central Committee on Health Care for Senior Governmental Officials.

The Party chief drew his last breath at Military Central Hospital 108 despite the efforts of leading doctors and healthcare experts to treat his serious illness.

General Secretary Trong was born in 1944.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front will issue a special announcement regarding the organization of the State Funeral for comrade Nguyen Phu Trong.

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