Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and former Party General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith shake hands with the people of Hà Nội on December 19, 2017. VNA/VNS File Photo Phương Hoa

VIENTIANE – Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng was a visionary leader and an ingenious and clear-minded diplomat who always valued relationships with countries worldwide, former Party General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith told Vietnam News Agency reporters in Vientiane on Monday.

The former Lao leader extended condolences and expressed sorrow over the passing of the Vietnamese Party chief, calling him the closest friend of the Lao Party, State and people.

Vorachith praised Trọng as a revolutionary leader and a resilient communist of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, who dedicated his entire life to revolutionary activities and the cause of national liberation, reunification and renewal of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

Trọng played a crucial role in preserving and fostering the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Việt Nam, Vorachith said, adding that his efforts have yielded substantial results and practical benefits for the people of both countries.

He highlighted the ingenuity and insight of "diplomat" Trọng, reflected via how he skillfully directed Việt Nam’s foreign policy toward a "bamboo diplomacy" approach, successfully balancing relations with all countries. Notably, the promotion of Laos-Việt Nam-Cambodia relations through high-level meetings of their leaders has elevated the political ties among the three countries and advanced their state-to-state relations in the new era. These efforts have enhanced the role and reputation of the Vietnamese Party and State on the global and regional stages. – VNS