Vinh Long honours exemplary leader

VINH LONG — A ceremony to mark the birth centenary of Pham Hung, late Chairman of the Council of Ministers, took place in the southern province of Vinh Long yesterday.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highlighted the great contributions Pham Hung, an eminent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and a prestigious leader, made to the Vietnamese Party and State.

"Comrade Hung was one of the most talented and exemplary leaders of the revolution in Viet Nam," Dung said.

"He was an excellent example of a true communist who faithfully devoted his entire life to his country and his people. His revolutionary life and career are closely connected with the arduous yet glorious struggle carried out by our Party and people."

Born on June 11, 1912, Hung joined the youth movement at the age of 16 and two years later became one of the first members of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in the south of the country.

At the second National Party Congress in 1951, he was elected to the Party Central Committee. Later, he also served as a member of the Politburo for several successive tenures.

In June 1987, the National Assembly chose Hung as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. He passed away in March 1988. — VNS