Hanoi (VNA) – Friends of Vietnam around the world have paid their final respects to former Politburo member and former State President Tran Duc Luong at respect-paying services held by the Vietnamese embassies.

On the morning of May 24 (local time), the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia opened a book of condolence and held a ceremony in tribute to the late leader.

The event in Moscow drew a large number of participants, including representatives from Vietnamese organisations in Russia, embassies of ASEAN, African, and European countries, the EU Delegation in Moscow, the Soviet Peace Fund, and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Chair of the Russian Federal Assembly’s Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Bair Zhamsuyev wrote in the book of condolence what he described as the “immense efforts” by Tran Duc Luong in Vietnam’s national development and in the enhancement of the traditional friendship between the two countries, contributing significantly to the positive trajectory of bilateral relations.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg – the Vietnamese Delegation to the European Union held a similar tribute event. Attendees included ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from several embassies such as those of China, Japan, Laos, and Indonesia. Various EU institutions, including the European External Action Service (EEAS), also sent messages of condolence.

On behalf of the EEAS, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific Paola Pampaloni conveyed her condolences in a message, stating that former President Luong’s strategic vision and diplomatic acumen played a crucial role in shaping Vietnam’s international standing. During his tenure, he guided Vietnam into the World Trade Organisation, promoted global trade relations, and helped lay the solid cornerstone for the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU.

In the UK, the Vietnamese Embassy hosted a ceremony attended by all staff of the embassy and representative offices, members of the Vietnamese community, and representatives from the British Government, diplomatic corps, international organisations, and friends of Vietnam in the UK.

In Prague, the Czech Republic, the Vietnamese Embassy held the respect-paying ceremony on two days, May 24 and 25. The event was attended by a wide cross-section of the Vietnamese community, international friends, and representatives of local organisations and institutions.

Also on the two days, the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, along with the Vietnamese Consulates General in Sydney and Perth, opened books of condolence and held tribute services. Local government representatives, foreign diplomats, and members of the Vietnamese community came to pay their respects and offer condolences.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy also began a two-day respect-paying service on the morning of May 24. Representatives from the host government, along with ambassadors and diplomats from other embassies in Rome, extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, as well as to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people.

On the afternoon of May 23 in the US (local time), the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations solemnly held a memorial service in honour of the former President. The ceremony was attended by all officials and staff of the mission and other Vietnamese representative offices in New York.

Throughout the day, numerous international delegations visited the mission to pay tribute, sign the book of condolence, and express their sympathies. These included the permanent representatives to the UN of Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Timor-Leste, and the Holy See, among others. The book of condolence will remain open until the end of May 27.

On the afternoon of May 24 (local time), the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria also held a solemn respect-paying ceremony and opened a booಞk of condolence. Representatives from the embassies of Russia, China, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, among others, attended and offered condolences. The event is scheduled to continue until middayᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ on May 26./.