Many heads of state and government and leaders of political parties from foreign countries on October 8 sent their condolences to Vietnam over the passing away on October 4 of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

In his message to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni described the deceased as a leader with many contributions to the national liberation, defence, construction and development of Vietnam .

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his condolences addressed to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, called General Giap a hero of Vietnam , a great military strategist fighting for national independence. His legacy will remain forever, the Singaporean leader said.

For his part, Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio said General Giap’s death leaves him a deep sorrow, and praised the deceased as an outstanding leader who devoted the whole of his life to the national development of Vietnam .

Fuwa Tetsuzo, member of the presidium of the central committee of the Communist Party of Japan and its former head, recalled his first meeting with General Giap in February 1966 which, he said, was a new starting point of the combatant solidarity between the two parties.

The Portuguese Communist Party said the deceased has made great contributions to the cause of the working people and the nations all over the world, and his example as a fighter for the rights of the nations and for peace and socialism will never be forgotten.

Head of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Mujahidul Islam Selim said General Giap is a great encouragement to not only the Vietnamese people but also all the current revolutionary movements in the world.

President of the India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee Geetesh Sharma praised the deceased as a man very close to and highly respected by the Indian people, and recalled his meeting with General Giap during his two visits to Calcutta.-VNA