HÀ NỘI – High-ranking delegations from Laos, China, Cambodia, Russia, Cuba paid their last respects to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng on Thursday, expressing their grief for the death of the Vietnamese Party leader.

Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith pays tribute at the State funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng on Thursday morning. VNA/VNS Photos

In the condolence book, Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith noted the profound sadness at the death of General Secretary Trọng. He wrote that the Lao Party, State, and people will always remember the General Secretary’s great merit and invaluable contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Việt Nam.

"We lost a respectable comrade, a close and great friend," he wrote, affirming that the Vietnamese Party leader's reputation and legacy will forever live on.

Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning writes in the funeral book.

Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning, leading the Chinese delegation to the respect paying ceremony, expressed deep sorrow at the passing of the General Secretary, calling him a great friend of the Chinese people.

President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen pays tribute at the State funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng on Thursday morning.

Extending condolences to leaders and members of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote that the CPP has lost a comrade and a visionary leader who strongly supported and developed the bilateral long-standing friendship and cooperation in all aspects between Việt Nam and Cambodia in the spirit of friendship between the CPP and the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

Petr Olegovich Tolstoy, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, writes in the condolence book.

Petr Olegovich Tolstoy, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia, wrote in the condolence book that the Russian people will remember and highly value the General Secretary’s significant contributions to establishing and advancing the Russia-Việt Nam comprehensive strategic partnership built on traditional friendship, trust and mutual support.

"We will forever remember the excellent leader," he wrote.

President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez offered the deepest condolences at the death of General Secretary Trong, who is a close and loyal friend of Cuba. He said the rich theoretical knowledge and extensive revolutionary experience of him are significant to the cause of socialism building in Việt Nam and a source of reference for the international communist movement. Trọng's research in Marxist-Leninist theory, Hồ Chí Minh Thought and Việt Nam's Đổi Mới has strategic significance, he wrote.

The Vietnamese Party leader's successful visits to Cuba are evidence of the excellent relations between the two countries and the will to continue consolidating and expanding the relations, Hernandez wrote. He recalled his meeting with General Secretary Trọng in September 2023, saying that he will forever remember that meeting, as he is the last Cuban leader to have had the chance to exchange views with him, a close friend of Cuba.

In the afternoon on July 25, many ambassadors, representatives of various countries and international organisations in Việt Nam came to pay their respects and express profound sorrow at the passing of the Vietnamese leader.

As part of the State funeral for the Party leader, the respect-paying ceremony is held at the National Funeral Hall from 7am to 10pm on July 25, and 7am to 1pm on July 26.

The memorial service is scheduled for 1pm on Friday at the National Funeral Hall, followed by the burial ceremony at 3pm at Mai Dịch Cemetery in the capital city. – VNS