HÀ NỘI As the night deepened on Thursday, more and more people headed toward the National Funeral Hall at No. 5 Trần Thánh Tông in Hà Nội. They stood orderly in lines stretching for kilometres, waiting for their turn to pay respects to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Even though the announced end time was 10pm, many people were still waiting outside the National Funeral Hall in Hà Nội at 11pm to pay their respects.

In Hồ Chí Minh City, the People's Committee announced at 10pm that due to the large number of people coming to pay their respects to General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng at the Reunification Hall, the visiting hours have been extended to 11pm instead of the previously announced 10pm. This extension aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to honour the General Secretary. VNS

Thousands of people wait to pay their respect to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng g at the National Funeral Hall in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photos

Thousands of people wait to pay their respect to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng g at the National Funeral Hall in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photos

At 9.45pm, an elderly individual, accompanied by their grandchildren, arrived at the National Funeral Hall to pay respects to General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Thousands of people wait to pay their respect to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng g at the National Funeral Hall in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photos

People queue up until night to pay their respect to to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng in his hometownin Đông Hội Commune of Hà Nội's Đông Anh District.

People queue up until night to pay their respect to to Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng in his hometownin Đông Hội Commune of Hà Nội's Đông Anh District.