Vietnam is preparing to hold a funeral for the late communist leader Nguyen Phu Trong next week, as announced by the party on Saturday.
Trong passed away on Friday at the age of 80 in a military hospital in Hanoi, attributed to old age and serious illness.
The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to take place over two days in the Vietnamese capital on July 25 and July 26, with a period of national mourning to be observed, according to the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The final resting place for Trong will be Hanoi’s Mai Dich Cemetery at 3 pm on July 26, as mentioned in the party’s statement.
“His passing is a significant loss for the party, state, people, and his family,” the statement expressed.
In honor of the late leader, entertainment and sports events have been put on hold, and social media users in Vietnam have changed their profile pictures to black as a gesture of mourning.
On platforms such as Facebook, X, and Threads, users have also shared photos and tributes to the former Communist Party general secretary.
Vietnam is known for its strict media regulations, and citizens often hesitate to express their opinions online.
“A great heart has come to a stop,” wrote Hoang Quoc Ky on his Facebook profile after changing his cover photo to the national flag of Vietnam flying at half-mast.
“He was a dedicated communist, a skilled politician… who devoted his life to socialism and the well-being of the people,” Ky continued.
– ‘Rest in peace’ –
“Trong was a passionate patriot in his own way,” expressed blogger DzungArt Nguyen in a Facebook post.
“We acknowledge his dedication… may he rest in peace.”
Not only individuals, but the profile pictures of Vietnamese state media agencies on social media were also changed to black, along with companies and NGOs in the country.
Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Vietnamese embassy in Beijing “to mourn the passing” of his fellow communist party general secretary, as reported by the state news outlet Xinhua.
Trong’s death came right after the announcement by Vietnam’s Communist Party that he would transfer power to the country’s president and former public security minister To Lam.
It was noted at the time that Trong would be focusing on treatment for an undisclosed medical condition, addressing longstanding speculation about his health.
The party did not provide further details regarding Trong’s illness.
Trong holds the distinction of being the first party general secretary to pass away while in office since Le Duan’s death in 1986, who was a close associate of Ho Chi Minh.
He also holds the record of being the first leader to serve three consecutive terms as the party head following the economic reforms in 1986.
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