Nation pays homage to former President Le Duc Anh

A delegation of the Vietnamese Government led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pays respect to former President General Le Duc Anh (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – National leaders and people nationwide expressed their deep sorrow at the death of former President, General Le Duc Anh at respect-paying ceremonies held simultaneously in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the former President’s home province of Thua Thien-Hue on May 3 morning. 

Leading a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wrote in the condolence book praising the former President as an outstanding leader who had made great contributions to the cause of national liberation and reunification, the international mission of helping Cambodian people escape from genocide, and the cause of national construction and defence.

“His death leaves deep sorrow for the entire Party, people and army. We will forever remember him as a close comrade, a talented general, an outstanding leader and a person of righteousness and generosity,” the PM wrote.

“General Le Duc Anh is an outstanding politician and militarist, a talented and exemplary leader with great compassion and a simple lifestyle,” Politburo member and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan wrote in the funeral book.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh noted in the book that former President Le Duc Anh had devoted his entire life to national freedom and independence, national unification and the people’s happiness.

Many former senior officials also came to pay last respects to the former President, who included former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former Presidents Tran Duc Luong, Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former NA Chairmen Nguyen Van An and Nguyen Sinh Hung.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a delegation of the city’s Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front and retired senior Party and State officials paid tribute to former President Le Duc Anh at the Thong Nhat Hall.

On behalf of the delegation, Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan wrote in the condolence book expressing the deep memory of Le Duc Anh as a talented and brave general who had directly commanded many big military campaigns, including the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975, leaving many important imprints in the revolutionary cause of the CPV and the Vietnamese nation. He described the former President as an excellent leader with great vision in strategic matters and major contributions to the cause of Doi Moi, national development and external relations.

Many delegations of foreign parties, States and Governments, and foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organisations in Vietnam also came to pay last respects to former President Le Duc Anh.

The foreign guests included a delegation from Cambodia led by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, a delegation from Laos led by Politburo member and President of the Lao Front for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen writes in the condolence book (Photo: VNA)

Following the respect-paying ceremony, the memorial service for the former President will be held at 10:45 the same day at the National Funeral Hall at No 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi.

The former President will be buried at 17:00 the same day at Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery.

Vietnam has declared two days of national mourning for the former President on May 3 and 4.-VNA