The ceremony is held at the headquarters of the Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee. VNA/VNS Photo

Vientiane — A state funeral for Việt Nam’s Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng was held at the headquarters of the Lao Prime Minister’s Office, the National Assembly Office, and the Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee on Thursday.

Officials and staff of the Prime Minister's Office observed a minute of silence to express deep grief at the passing of General Secretary Trọng who made significant and crucial contributions to nurturing and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples.

Minister-Chairman of the office Bouakhong Nammavong shared that as the Lao Party, State, and people lost a close and dear friend, the Lao Party and Government decided to observe national mourning in Laos, including at the Lao Embassies and representative offices abroad.

Sharing his grief at the passing of General Secretary Trọng, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee Office’s Youth Union Phouthala Keovichith stressed that to preserve and further cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, significantly promoted by the General Secretary and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, he and the younger generations of Laos will continue to follow the Party and State's policies of inheriting and developing the longstanding and fine traditional relationship between the two countries.

Laos is observing national mourning for the Vietnamese Party leader on July 25-26. From July 25, ministries, sectors and agencies from the central to local level in Laos, and the Laos-Việt Nam Friendship Association have sent letters of condolences, and paid respects to the deceased at the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and Consulates General in Lao localities.

In addition, major press and media agencies of Laos have run articles and screened documentaries featuring the late leader’s important contributions to the Laos-Việt Nam, Việt Nam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and all-round cooperation. — VNS