Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 4 led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government to the Lao Embassy in Vietnam to pay their final respects to Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, former State President, and former Prime Minister of Laos.
Writing in the condolence book at the embassy, the Vietnamese Government leader expressed sorrow over Khamtay Siphandone's passing, stressing that this is an immense loss to the Lao Party, State, and people.

Meanwhile, leaders and people of Vietnam have also lost a great friend and a close comrade who always strived for the revolutionary causes of the two fraternal countries and the special Vietnam - Laos relationship, he wrote, noting that the deceased was a prominent leader and an outstanding revolutionary who steadfastly dedicated his entire life to the Lao revolution.
Appreciating Khamtay Siphandone's significant contributions to the bilateral relations, PM Chinh extended his deepest condolences to the Lao Government leaders and the bereaved family.
On April 3, PM Chinh sent a message of condolences to his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone over the passing of the latter's father.
Khamtay Siphandone, born on February 8, 1924, passed away on April 2./.