HÀ NỘI — A State funeral will be held on March 20-21 for former Prime Minister PhanVăn Khải, who passed away on Saturday. 

This was announced today by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the National Assembly, the President, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF).

The state funeral organising committee will be headed by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

A ceremony to pay tribute to the late PM will take place from 8:00 am on March 20 to the end of March 21 at Thống Nhất Hall in HCM City where his remains are preserved. 
It will be followed by a memorial service at the hall at 7:30 am on March 22. The burial ceremony is scheduled at 11:00 am the same day in his hometown – Tân Thông Hội Commune, Củ Chi District, HCM City. 
The tribute-paying and memorial ceremonies will take place at the International Convention Centre, Lê Hồng Phong Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội at the same time with those in HCM City. 
The Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) will broadcast these ceremonies live. 
On March 20 and 21, all State offices and public facilities will fly the national flag at half-mast and all entertainment activities will be stopped. 
Former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải passed away at 1:30 on Saturday at Củ Chi, HCM City, aged 85. 
Phan Văn Khải was born on December 25, 1933 in Củ Chi District, HCM City. 
As one of the high-ranking Party and State leaders in the first phase of the country’s đổi mới (renewal) and nation-building cause, Khải was active and determined to build the institution under the spirit of đổi mới to utilise the capacities of all economic sectors, especially the private one, together with opening door to the world and integrating internationally. 
During his nearly two working terms, fundamental laws in the first phase of the đổi mới  and door-opening process were built. 
The Government chaired by PM Khải left its working-term marks by the issuance of the Business Law, the annulment of hundreds of licences, the involvement in many tough talks to negotiate Việt Nam’s admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and more. 
The Party and State have presented PM Khải the Gold Star Order and the 55-year Party Membership Badge (2014), in recognition of his dedications to the country’s revolutionary cause. — VNS