THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
Vietnamese leaders pay respects to President of Lao National Assembly
VGP - High-level delegations of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government of Viet Nam on August 10 visited the Lao Embassy in Ha Noi to pay tributes to Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane, member of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of the Lao National Assembly, who passed away on August 9.
Standing member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu (center) signs the book of condolences for Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane, Ha Noi, August 10, 2026 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The Party and State delegation led by Standing member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu; the Government delegation led by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung; and the National Assembly delegation led by Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien.
The Vietnamese leaders laid wreaths and expressed their profound condolences to Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh and, through the Ambassador, conveyed their deepest sympathies to the leaders of the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and Government, as well as the Lao people and the family of Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane.
The Vietnamese leaders affirmed that Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane was an outstanding and devoted leader of the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and people, and a close and loyal friend of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and people of Viet Nam.
Throughout his career, Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane made important contributions to consolidating and further advancing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos.
His passing is a great loss to the Party, State and fraternal people of Laos, as well as to his family, and also a profound loss to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese Party, State and people will always remember and cherish his significant contributions to nurturing, consolidating and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (4th from R) pays respect to the Lao National Assembly Chairman, Ha Noi, August 10, 2026 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The Vietnamese leaders expressed their confidence that the Lao Party, State and people will overcome the loss, uphold the positive legacy left by Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane, and continue advancing national development while further strengthening the special ties between Viet Nam and Laos.
On the occasion, Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Tran Thanh Man led a high-level Vietnamese Party and State delegation to Laos on August 9 to pay respects to the President of Lao National Assembly.
General Secretary and President To Lam also sent a message of condolences to Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, while Prime Minister Le Minh Hung sent condolences to his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone.
The same day, delegations from central and local ministries, sectors and organizations visited the Lao Embassy in Ha Noi and the Lao Consulates General in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to pay respects to Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane.
Viet Nam decided to observe two days of national mourning on August 10-11 for the late President of the National Assembly of Laos.
During this period, agencies and offices nationwide, as well as Vietnamese representative missions abroad, shall fly the national flag at half-mast with a mourning ribbon as prescribed and shall not organize public entertainment or recreational activities./.