The funeral for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai who passed away in Ho Chi Minh City on March 17 started at 8am on March 20 at the city’s Thong Nhat Hall.
Leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and the
Vietnam Fatherland Front and people from localities nationwide gathered at the
Thong Nhat Conventional Hall from early morning to pay their last respect to
the former Prime Minister.
The Party delegation was led by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Writing in the book of condolences, the Party leader expressed his deep sorrow
at the passing away of the former Government leader who was also dearly called
Sau Khai.
He highlighted Khai’s sacrifices and devotion to the revolutionary course of
the Party and nation, while conveying deep sympathy to the late leader’s
family.
Meanwhile, President Tran Dai Quang, who led the State delegation, vowed that
he will follow the example of former PM Khai to exert every effort for national
construction, safeguarding and development.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who led the Government delegation, wrote in
the book of condolences that comrade Khai was an excellent leader of the
country. As head of the Vietnamese Government from 1997 to 2006, he led the
country in an important period of reform and integration, stated the PM.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan led the NA delegation to the
service.
The ceremony also saw delegations from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central
Committee led by its President Tran Thanh Man, the Party Committee, People’s
Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front of Ho Chi Minh City
led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong,
along with delegations of ministries, sectors, organisations and localities.
A similar ceremony was also held in Hanoi to pay last homage to former PM Phan
Van Khai.
From early morning, hundreds of people queued at the International Convention
Centre at Le Hong Phong Street to offer incense for the late Government leader.
A delegation of Party and State incumbent and former leaders led by Nguyen Van
Binh, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of
the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, was the first to pay tribute
to comrade Phan Van Khai.
Delegations of the Government and National Assembly and ministries, sectors,
orgnaisations paid their last tribute to the former PM.
Earlier on March 17-19, thousands of people from localities nationwide visited
and conveyed their condolences to the family of former PM Khai at his residence
in Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City.
Phan Van Khai was born on December 25, 1933 in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh
City.
As one of the high-ranking Party and State leaders in the first phase of the
country's Renewal and nation-building cause, PM Khai was active and determined
to build the institution under the spirit of renewal to utilise the capacities
of all economic sectors, especially the private one, together with opening door
to the world and integrating internationally.
During his nearly two working terms, fundamental laws in the first phase of the
Renewal and door-opening process were built.
The Government chaired by PM Khai left its working-term marks by the issuance
of the Business Law, the annulment of hundreds of licences, the involvement in
many tough talks to negotiate Vietnam's admission to the World Trade
Organization (WTO), and more.
The Party and State have presented PM Khai the Golden Star Order and the
55-year Party Membership Badge (2014), in recognition of his dedications to the
country's revolutionary cause.
