The respect-paying ceremony began at 7am on Saturday and will last until 7am on Sunday at the National Funeral Hall, 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Hanoi.

Among the mourners were Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien, and other former and incumbent leaders. 

The delegation of the Party Central Committee is led by General Secretary To Lam (first row, second from left).

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee, delivered a eulogy honoring former President Tran Duc Luong’s lifelong dedication. 

“Throughout his 50 years of revolutionary activities, former President Tran Duc Luong made exceptionally outstanding contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. He was awarded by the Party and State the Gold Star Order, the 65-year Party membership badge, and many other distinguished orders, medals, awards and titles. His passing is a great loss to the Party, the State, the people of Vietnam, and to his family,” Mr. Binh said.

Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh delivers a eulogy at the respect-paying ceremony for former President Tran Duc Luong.

In the condolence book, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed deep sorrow over the loss of former President Tran Duc Luong, describing him as a steadfast Communist, devoted and exemplary leader, and an outstanding son of Quang Ngai Province — a land rich in revolutionary tradition. His passing, General Secretary Lam wrote, is a profound loss to the Party, the State, and the Vietnamese people.

The respect-paying ceremony for former President Tran Duc Luong at the Thong Nhat Hall in HCM City.

Respect-paying ceremonies are also taking place at the Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and at the T50 Hall of the Quang Ngai provincial Military Command in Quang Ngai city.

During the two-day national mourning on Saturday and Sunday, national flags are flown at half-mast at State offices and public places, and recreation and entertainment activities are suspended. 

The respect-paying ceremonies are broadcast live on Vietnam Television and the Voice of Vietnam.

Former President Tran Duc Luong was born on May 5, 1937, a native of Pho Khanh commune, Duc Pho district (now Duc Pho township), in Quang Ngai province, and resided at 298 Van Phuc street, Lieu Giai ward, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.

The national flag is lowered to half-mast at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.

He joined the revolution in February 1955, and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam on December 19, 1959. He was a member of the Party Central Committee of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th tenures; a Politburo member of the 8th, and 9th tenures; a permanent member of the Political Bureau of the 8th tenure; Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers from February 1987 to September 1992; Deputy Prime Minister from October 1992 to August 1997; President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Chairman of the Council for National Defense and Security of the 10th and 11th terms; and a National Assembly deputy of the 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th tenures.

After a period of illness, despite the best treatment and care by medical experts and his family, Mr. Luong passed away at 22:51 on May 20, 2025, at his residence in Hanoi.