HCM CITY — A memorial service for former Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải took place at Thống Nhất (Reunification) Hall in HCM City and International Convention Centre in Hà Nội today.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyễn Phú Trọng, President Trần Đại Quang, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân and President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn attended the event.
Delivering a eulogy, Party leader Trọng said comrade Phan Văn Khải was an outstanding leader of the Party, State and people of Việt Nam, a loyal Communist Party member who dedicated his life to national independence and freedom, the well-being of the people and the ideals of socialism. 
His passing is a great loss to the Vietnamese Party, State and people and his relatives, he said. 
He added that during more than 70 years of revolutionary activities, from joining the revolutionary movement in his homeland in Hóc Môn, Gia Định to assuming the top position in the government, Khai dedicated his life to the fight for national liberation and reunification and socialism building. 
In the positions of Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Politburo member, permanent member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister, he worked with the CPV Central Committee and the government to lead the nation in the path of reform, develop a socialism-oriented market economy, maintain political-social stability, strengthen national defence-security and expand external relations and global integration, helping the country reap achievements of historic significance. 
In any position, he was absolutely loyal to the goals and revolutionary ideals of the CPV, set himself as an example and showed diligence, thrift, integrity, honesty, public-spiritedness and selflessness. He did the best to strengthen Party unity and build a strong and transparent CPV, place the interests of the CPV, the country and people above others and won the respect and affection of the people and international friends, he said. 
Trọng expressed his deep sorrow at the passing of the former leader. 
The Party chief said the CPV, people and armed forces vow to continue following the revolutionary path and stay consistent to Marxism-Leninism, Hồ Chí Minh Thought and ideals of national independence and socialism and fully push forward renovation for the goal of building Việt Nam with wealthy people, democracy, fairness and civilisation.
The burial ceremony took place at 11am in Tân Thông Hội Commune, Củ Chi district, HCM City. 
During the March 20-21 State funeral, 2,046 delegations with 108,000 people paid homage to the former leader at the two venues and his home, including 231 diplomatic corps and international organisations.
Former PM Phan Văn Khải, born on December 25, 1933, native to Tân Thông Hội Commune, Củ Chi district, residing at No.24 Tú Xương street, Ward 7, District 3, Hồ Chí Minh City, passed away at 1:30am on March 17 at his home due to illness and old age.
He joined the revolution in 1947 and the CPV on July 15, 1959. 
He was a member of the CPV Central Committee of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th tenures, Politburo member of the 7th, 8th and 9th tenures, permanent member of the Politburo of the 8th tenure, Prime Minister from 1997 to 2006 and National Assembly deputy of the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th tenures. 
Throughout 70 years of revolutionary activities, he made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the CPV and the nation. 
He was conferred with the Gold Star Order and the 55-year Party membership badge, and many other noble distinctions of Việt Nam and foreign countries.—VNS