The leaders of many countries and territories have expressed their grief over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, recalling memories with the Vietnamese leader and expressing their admiration for him.

As of Sunday, leaders of states, governments, parliaments, and political parties of 22 countries as well as international organizations have sent telegrams and letters of condolence to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnamese State President To Lam, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, the Vietnamese people, and the family of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In his message, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam said that he always keeps the image of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Trong as a warm and steadfast friend with good memories in their meetings, especially the meeting on the occasion of the two countries upgrading their relations to a comprehensive partnership during his visit to Vietnam in 2019.

The sultan affirmed the important contributions of the late general secretary to strengthening the two countries’ relations, noting that his enormous devotion to Vietnam's socio-economic development is a lasting legacy.

Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed their admiration for Party General Secretary Trong’s important contributions over decades to the Party and the nation.

During the 13 years of serving as the Party general secretary, he contributed significantly to Vietnam’s economic growth, improving people's lives. 

The Singaporean leaders said that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s absolute priority for Party building and anti-corruption not only creates his leadership style but also gives important directions for the reform and strengthening of the Party and the state of Vietnam.

The Singaporean leaders asserted that the Vietnamese Party chief was a close friend of Singapore, who made many important contributions and laid the foundation for the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2013, deepening bilateral relations and paving the way for upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

Meanwhile, King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn praised the prestige of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, recognizing him as a leader who earned the trust of the Vietnamese people and international respect. He also acknowledged Trong's significant role in Vietnam’s nation-building, renewal, development, and stability.

Chairman of the Mongolian People's Party and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene wrote in his letter that the Mongolian People's Party always remembers the contributions of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to developing the relations and strengthening the friendship and comradeship between the two peoples and two Parties.

In his condolences, King Charles III of the United Kingdom hoped the Vietnamese people would be strong and steadfast in this difficult time. 

The king recalled his impressions and memories with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the latter’s visit to the UK in 2013.

He also expressed his appreciation for the Vietnamese leader’s devotion to the Vietnamese people as well as his leadership role in promoting Vietnam's close relations with other countries through the 'bamboo diplomacy' policy.

President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro affirmed that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a great friend of Venezuela, a tireless soldier fighting for the nation, and an intellectual torch for Vietnam's great changes. 

President Maduro reiterated the solidarity with the Vietnamese people, saying that the two countries' peoples will always unite and cooperate with each other.

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela Diosdado Cabello also sent a telegram of condolence to the CPV Central Committee and the Vietnamese people.

Moreover, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud extended their condolences to Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian country also received condolences from the President of Belarus, the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, and the head of the 'White Russia' Party of Belarus; the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran; the President of Kazakhstan; the ASEAN Secretary-General; the President of Tanzania; the President of Burundi; the President of the Indian National Congress; and the National Secretary of the French Communist Party.

Various leaders of Russian parties, including Chairman of the United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev, Head of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Genadi Ziuganov, and Chairman of the Socialist Political Party 'A Just Russia - Patriots - For the Truth' Sergey Mironov, also voiced their grief over the passing of the Vietnamese Party leader.

Leaders of parties in India, Japan, Spain, Ireland, South Africa, Brazil, Switzerland, Uruguay, Bolivia, and others have extended their condolences as well.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Peru Domingo Cabrera Toro, and Head of the Department of International Relations of the Workers' Party of Belgium Bert De Belder sent their messages and letters of condolence to Le Hoai Trung, head of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 pm on July 19 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 108 Military Central Hospital despite the efforts of leading doctors and healthcare experts to treat his serious illness.

General Secretary Trong was born in 1944.

A state funeral for General Secretary Trong will be held at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi on July 25 and July 26.

A burial service for the Party chief will take place from 3:00 pm on July 26 at Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi.

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