Blinken to attend Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong's funeral

Blinken will further underscore the strength of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with his government counterparts in Ha Noi, the State Department said in its statement.

Blinken's Viet Nam visit is part of his tour to several Asian countries like Laos, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia from July 24 to August 3, his 18th trip to the Indo-Pacific region since becoming Secretary.

Earlier, General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisulith will lead a high-ranking delegation of the Lao Party and State to attend the funeral of the Party chief in Ha Noi, according to an announcement of the Lao Government.

Laos and Cuba have decided to hold national mourning in commemoration of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong who passed away on Friday at the age of 80.

A state funeral for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong will be held on July 25-26.

The Party chief's coffin will be kept at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Ha Noi capital.

The respect-paying ceremony will take place from 7am to 10pm on July 25, and from 7am to 1pm on July 26, at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Ha Noi capital.

The memorial service will be held at 1pm on July 26 at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Ha Noi capital.

The burial ceremony will take place from 3pm on the same day at Mai Dich Cemetery, Ha Noi capital.

At the same time, the respect-paying and memorial ceremonies for Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong will also be held at the Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and at his native land in Dong Hoi commune, Dong Anh district, Ha Noi capital.

The Vietnam Television and Radio the Voice of Vietnam will broadcast live the ceremonies in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

During the two-day national mourning on July 25-26, national flags will be flown at half-mast at State offices and public places, and recreational and entertainment activities suspended./.