State president Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led high-ranking State and Government delegations to pay respects to the former senior Lao leader who passed away on Vientiane on April 2.   

Both Cuong and Chinh signed the condolence book, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Siphandone and emphasizing that the loss of the former senior Lao leader is a great loss to the Party, the State, and the people of Laos.

The leaders and people of Vietnam have also lost a great friend and a close comrade who wholeheartedly devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of both brotherly countries of Laos and Vietnam, and to the special Vietnam–Laos relationship.

They affirmed that Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was a senior leader, an outstanding and steadfast revolutionary who dedicated his entire life to the revolutionary cause of Laos.

The Vietnamese leaders appreciated Siphandone’s significant contributions to Vietnam – Laos relations, and extended the deepest condolences to the leaders of the Lao Government and to the entire family of the Lao leader.

The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee also declared a two-day national mourning period of April on 4-5 in commemoration of the former Lao President.

Vietnam declares two days of national mourning for former Lao leader

Vietnam has declared a two-day national mourning period from April 4 to April 5, to honour the memory of Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, and in recognition of the special relationship between the two countries.