Leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front and people from localities nationwide gathered at Thong Nhat Hall early this morning to pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister. 

The Party delegation was led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.  Writing in the book of condolences, the Party leader expressed his deep sorrow at the passing of the former Government leader who was affectionately called Sau Khai.

Mr Trong highlighted Mr Khai’s sacrifices and devotion to the revolutionary cause of the Party and nation, and expended deep sympathy to the former leader’s family. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong offers incense to former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, March 20, 2018. (Photo: VNA)

President Tran Dai Quang, who led the State delegation, vowed to follow the example of former PM Khai in exerting every effort for national defense and development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who led the Government delegation, wrote in the book of condolences that comrade Khai was an excellent leader of the country. As head of the Vietnamese Government from 1997 to 2006, he led Vietnam in an important period of reform and integration, wrote the PM.

The Government's delegation led by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc pays tribute to Mr Phan Van Khai, March 20, 2018.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan led the NA delegation to the service.

The ceremony also saw delegations from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee led by its President Tran Thanh Man, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, along with delegations of ministries, sectors, organisations and localities.

A ceremony to pay tribute to former PM Phan Van Khai is also held in Hanoi on March 20-21, 2018.

A similar ceremony also takes place in Hanoi and at Vietnamese embassies in Laos, Thailand, and China to pay homage to former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

From early morning, hundreds of people queued at the International Convention Centre on Le Hong Phong Street to burn incense to the Government leader.

A delegation of incumbant and former Party and State leaders led by Nguyen Van Binh, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, was the first to pay tribute to Mr Khai.

Other mourners included representatives of the Government and National Assembly and ministries, sectors, and organizations. 

Earlier, thousands of people from localities nationwide visited and conveyed their condolences to the family of former PM Khai at his residence in Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City.

A memorial service for Mr Khai will take place at 7:30am on Thursday and the burial service is scheduled for 11am the same day in Mr Khai’s hometown. All services are being broadcast live on the Voice of Vietnam and Vietnam Television.