Deputy Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee cum Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh, on Friday, led a high-ranking delegation of the city government to the Lao Consulate General in Da Nang 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.

The Da Nang leaders paid their final respects to Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, former State President, and former Prime Minister of Laos, at the Lao Consulate General in the city on Friday.

Chairman Chinh expressed sorrow over Khamtay Siphandone's passing, stressing that this is an immense loss to the Lao Party, State, and people.

Chairman Chinh wrote in the condolence book at the Lao Consulate General in the city "Comrade Khamtay Siphandone is an outstanding leader of the first generation, an eminent son of the Lao people, and a steadfast revolutionary soldier who dedicated his life to national independence, and freedom and happiness of the people, and the prosperous development of Laos. His passing is a great loss to the Party, State, and people of Laos, as well as his family”.

Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh wrote in the condolence book at the Lao Consulate General in the city.

He emphasised that the Party, State, army, and people of Viet Nam have also lost a great friend and a close comrade who stood side by side during the long resistance wars of both nations and made many important contributions to building, consolidating and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

Lao Consul General in Da Nang Souphanh Hadaoheuang expressed his gratitude for the acts of kindness and the deep affection of the Party, State and people of Viet Nam in general, and Da Nang in particular, for Khamtay Siphandone.

Viet Nam's decision for a two-day national mourning period during April 4 – 5 in memory of Khamtay Siphandone demonstrates the special and unique solidarity between the two Parties, two States and two peoples of Laos and Viet Nam, he added.

Reporting by DA NANG DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - T.PHUONG

Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG