Making news

Former PM Phan Van Khai laid to rest

A memorial service for former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai took place at Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and International Convention Centre in Hanoi on March 22.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man attended the event.

Delivering a eulogy, CPV chief Trong said comrade Phan Van Khai was an outstanding leader of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, a loyal Communist Party member who dedicated his life to national independence and freedom, the well-being of the people and the ideals of socialism.

His passing is a great loss to the Vietnamese Party, State and people and his relatives, he said.

He added that during more than 70 years of revolutionary activities, from joining the revolutionary movement in his homeland in Hoc Mon, Gia Dinh to assuming the top position in the government, Khai dedicated his life to the fight for national liberation and reunification and socialism building.

In the positions of Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Politburo member, permanent member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister, he worked with the CPV Central Committee and the government to lead the nation in the path of reform, develop a socialism-oriented market economy, maintain political-social stability, strengthen national defence-security and expand external relations and global integration, helping the country reap achievements of historic significance.

In any position, he was absolutely loyal to the goals and revolutionary ideals of the CPV, set himself as an example and showed diligence, thrift, integrity, honesty, public-spiritedness and selflessness. He did the best to strengthen Party unity and build a strong and transparent CPV, place the interests of the CPV, the country and people above others and won the respect and affection of the people and international friends, he said.

Trong expressed his deep sorrow at the passing of the former leader.

The Party chief said the CPV, people and armed forces vow to continue following the revolutionary path and stay consistent to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought and ideals of national independence and socialism and fully push forward renovation for the goal of building Vietnam with wealthy people, democracy, fairness and civilization, he said.

The CPV and State leaders and his relatives moved the coffin to his final resting place in his homeland.

The burial ceremony took place at 11am in Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.

During the March 20-21 State funeral, 2,046 delegations with 108,000 people paid homage to the former leader at the two venues and his home, including 231 diplomatic corps and international organisations.

Former PM Phan Van Khai, born on December 25, 1933, native to Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, residing at No.24 Tu Xuong street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, passed away at 1:30am on March 17 at his home due to illness and old age.

He joined the revolution in 1947 and the CPV on July 15, 1959.

He was a member of the CPV Central Committee of the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th tenures, Politburo member of the 7th, 8th and 9th tenures, permanent member of the Politburo of the 8th tenure, Prime Minister from 1997 to 2006 and National Assembly deputy of the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th tenures.

Throughout 70 years of revolutionary activities, he made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the CPV and the nation.

He was conferred with the Golden Star Order and the 55-year Party membership badge, and many other noble distinctions of Vietnam and foreign countries.
VNA/VNP

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