Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on December 11 laid wreath in tribute to late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela at the country’s embassy in Hanoi.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and Foreign Ministry, Deputy PM Minh extended his profound sympathy to the South African people and the family of the late President, the eminent leader of anti-apartheid movements.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese people will always keep in mind the warmhearted sentiments and support Mandela had given to them during the past struggle for national independence as well as the current national development.

He expressed his belief that the South African people will overcome this great loss to continue realising the late President’s noble ideal of a world of democracy, freedom and equality.

Mandela passed away on December 5 at the age of 95.

He was a staunch soldier and a prominent hero of the South African people, who devoted his whole life to the fight against oppression, injustice and apartheid in South Africa and the world as well.-VNA