US President Joe Biden has made a statement on the passing of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

This statement was posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Vietnam.

Statement by US President Joe Biden reads:

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to Mrs. Ngo Thi Man and the people of Vietnam on the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, who has led Vietnam for the past 13 years.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has been a strong supporter of the deep ties between the people of the United States and Vietnam. Under his leadership, the friendship and partnership between our two countries have been nurtured and developed. His historic visit to the White House in 2015 was a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.

Thanks to your vision, during my state visit to Hanoi in 2023, Vietnam and the United States became “Comprehensive Strategic Partners”, the highest level of partnership in Vietnam's diplomatic relations system.

The people of Vietnam and the United States, along with people across the Indo-Pacific region, enjoy greater security and opportunity today because of the friendship and partnership between our two nations. And that is thanks to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The United States of America - and I personally - will always remember and cherish your commitment to reconciliation and building a future of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and around the world. We honor your legacy and offer our deepest condolences to the people of Vietnam on your passing"./.