General Secretary To Lam led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay tribute to former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone - Photo: VNA

General Secretary To Lam visits former Party Chairman and President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone

According to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on April 3, General Secretary To Lam led a delegation of high-ranking leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State to pay their respects to comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

On this occasion, the General Secretary also had meetings with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

General Secretary To Lam expressed his sorrow at the passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone and sent his deepest condolences to senior Lao leaders, all Lao people and comrade Khamtay Siphandone's family.

The General Secretary emphasized that Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was not only an outstanding leader of the first generation to build the Lao revolution, leading the previous national democratic revolution and the cause of protecting and developing the country, a pioneer leader in implementing the comprehensive renovation policy of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, but also a loyal, devoted, and devoted friend, a close comrade, always standing shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam throughout the struggle to protect the Fatherland and build the country of the two peoples.

The passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone is a great loss to the Party, State and people of Laos and Vietnam. General Secretary To Lam announced that in order to express gratitude for comrade Khamtay Siphandone's contributions to the development of the close and lasting relationship between Vietnam and Laos, the Party and State of Vietnam have decided to hold a national funeral.

General Secretary To Lam meets with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith - Photo: VNA

The Lao high-ranking leaders sincerely thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their condolences on the passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone, and expressed their emotion at the fact that General Secretary To Lam led a delegation of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to attend the funeral and that Vietnam decided to hold a state funeral for comrade Khamtay Siphandone, demonstrating the great traditional relationship and special solidarity, loyalty and closeness between the two countries as well as the personal feelings of General Secretary To Lam and the Vietnamese leaders.

On behalf of his family, comrade Sonexay Siphandone sincerely thanked and appreciated comrade General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam as the first delegation to come to express condolences to the Lao Party, State and family on the passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone, demonstrating the close relationship and extremely deep affection for his beloved father - the great leader of the Lao Party, State and people.

In a solemn and emotional atmosphere, General Secretary To Lam and Lao leaders reviewed the glorious revolutionary career of comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

Lao senior leaders affirmed that although comrade Khamtay Siphandone has passed away, the next generations of Lao leaders will continue to work with the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to consolidate and nurture the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos that President Ho Chi Minh, President Kayson Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong and generations of leaders of the two countries have worked hard to build and develop.

General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated Laos's active preparation for Party Congresses at all levels, towards the 12th National Congress early next year, emphasizing that the current streamlining and reorganization of the Lao apparatus is extremely important work, a positive signal contributing to promoting Laos' development in the new period; affirming that Vietnam is ready to continue to support and assist Laos in the cause of national construction, protection and development.

Lao senior leaders said Laos is studying and applying lessons learned from Vietnam, and resolutely innovating to meet the country's development needs and improve the quality of people's lives.

At the meetings, the two sides highly appreciated the positive progress in bilateral relations; agreed to regularly exchange delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones; continue to coordinate effectively to implement the agreements reached, including the results of the meeting between the three leaders of the three Parties of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia, affirming that Vietnam and Laos need to stand side by side, support and assist each other to the utmost to foster the great friendship and special bond between the two Parties, two States, and two peoples to stay forever green, blossoming and bearing fruit.

Vietnam holds national mourning for Mr. Khamtay Siphandone on April 4 and 5.

Comrade General Khamtay Siphandone, former Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, former President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic - Photo: VNA

On April 3, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a special statement stating: To express condolences to comrade Khamtay Siphandone and based on the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, 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 decided to mourn comrade Khamtay Siphandone according to the National Mourning protocol for 2 days, from April 4 to 5, 2025.

During this time, agencies and offices nationwide and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad must fly flags at half-mast and wear mourning bands as prescribed; no public entertainment activities are organized.

Also according to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on April 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a telegram to Comrade Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Laos, expressing condolences on the passing of the Prime Minister's father, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, former President, and former Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on April 2, 2025.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent condolences to Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and Acting Head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Commission Bounleua ​​Phandanouvong.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/viet-nam-de-quoc-tang-nguyen-chu-tich-dang-chu-tich-nuoc-lao-khamtay-siphandone-trong-2-ngay-20250403194037159.htm