HÀ NỘI — Leaders of Asian countries have sent their condolences to Việt Nam over the death of President Trần Đại Quang and have shown their respect for him through directions for national mourning.

President Trần Đại Quang passed away at 10:05am on September 21 in Hà Nội at the age of 62 due to serious illness. He had served as the President of Việt Nam since April 2016.

On September 24, the Lao Prime Minister’s Office announced two days of national mourning for the Vietnamese leader. It requested ministries, relevant agencies and all localities to fly flags at half-mast from 6am on September 26 to 6pm on September 27, and to suspend all entertainment activities nationwide during this time.

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith, on behalf of the LPRP Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction, also sent a message of condolences to the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

Previously, hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns and followers, as well as Vietnamese nationals in Laos, attended a requiem in commemoration of President Trần Đại Quang at Phật Tích Temple in the capital city of Vientiane. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has also offered his profound condolences to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, the Government of Việt Nam and the bereaved family.

The Premier said President Quang had devoted his entire life to the reform and construction of Việt Nam, as well as greatly contributing to the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Vietnamese people, as well as the bilateral relationship.

Li voiced his belief that under the steadfast leadership of the Vietnamese Party and Government, the Vietnamese people will turn their grief into strength and use it to make new achievements in the cause of socialism building.

South Korea Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon will leave for Hà Nội on Tuesday and attend the funeral on Wednesday, as per a decision made by President Moon Jae-in, considering the robust bilateral ties, Yonhap reported. President Moon -- who met Quang twice in Việt Nam -- said Quang was a "friend and partner" to him in a Facebook message.

On September 24, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand to pay tribute to President Quang.

In the condolence book, he wrote that, on behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, he would like to offer their sympathies and deepest condolences to the Government and people of Việt Nam over the death of President Quang.

The President’s contributions to Việt Nam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will always be remembered and respected, PM Prayut added.

The same day, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai also paid respects to the late President of Việt Nam at the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok.

Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong conveyed their utmost condolences, praising the late Vietnamese President’s efforts in elevating Việt Nam’s international standing and affirming that Quang is a "close friend of Singapore."

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte offered his condolences to the Vietnamese Government and people.

Brunei Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, sent his condolences and recalled memories of meeting the late President at the APEC Summit in Việt Nam last year.

Azerbaijan President sent his sympathies to the Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, calling the passing of the statesman who contributed significantly to bilateral ties "a heavy loss."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Md. Abdul Hamid, Brasil President Michel Temer, Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Kuwait Prime Minister Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Emir Sabah Al-Sabah all conveyed their condolences to the Vietnamese Government and people. — VNS