Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quốc Hưng (left) expresses condolences on the passing of the Sultan of Oman - Qaboos bin Said Al Said to Ambassador of Oman to Việt Nam Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al. — Photo courtesy of the embassy

HÀ NỘI — Representatives of the Vietnamese Government and more than 50 foreign delegations with embassies in Việt Nam have visited the Embassy of Oman in Hà Nội to express their condolences on the passing of the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who died on January 10 at the age of 79.

On January 14 and 15, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Minh Khôi and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quốc Hưng are among others.

During his reign of nearly half a century, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said was a symbol of national unity, he was loved by all the people of Oman and regarded as the father of the nation. The king took Oman from a piece of land with nothing, a closed country to reintegrate into the modern world and become the most stable country in the Arabic world. Internationally, Oman is known as a "second Switzerland", with the mission of being the centre of conflict mediation among Gulf countries, according to the embassy’s press release.

Deputy Minister Khôi wrote: "The departure of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the great leader of the Sultanate of Oman, is not only a great loss to the Royal Family, Government and people of Oman but also a loss of the Middle East and the whole world.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Việt Nam, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Royal Family, the Government and people of Oman.

“The Vietnamese people will always be alongside the Royal Family, the Government and people of Oman to overcome this great loss. We believe the people of Oman will continue the success of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said's legacy, building the Sultanate of Oman to be more successful and prosperous."

Deputy Minister Hưng wrote: “We honour the achievements that the Sultan has done for the Sultanate of Oman and we always believe in the strong relationship between Việt Nam and Oman.”

Representatives of joint-venture economic and trade co-operation between Việt Nam and Oman also visited and expressed their gratitude and grief at the parting of the Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Said al Said.

“It is our deepest appreciation for the all foundation and beautiful country that his late Majesty has built and left for the people of the Sultanate of Oman and the Middle East region, as well as the world. On behalf of Việt Nam – Oman Investment staff members, we would like to share this huge loss with our colleagues and the people of Oman, and do hope that together we will build a better Việt Nam – Oman relationship and bring more benefits to the people of the two country as his late Majesty’s best wished,” Nguyễn Hồng Sơn, CEO of Việt Nam – Oman Investment JSC, wrote in the book of condolence.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said ruled Oman for nearly 50 years, becoming the oldest ruler of the Arabic world.

The Sultanate of Oman will mourn him for three days and the national flag will be hung at half-mast for 40 days. The remains of the late Sultan will be taken to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat for the ceremony. — VNS