Foreign leaders send condolences on Vietnam Party General Secretary's death

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sent a message of condolences saying: "The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people lost a good comrade, a good brother, a good friend. We send our deepest condolences and most sincere regards to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the state and people of Vietnam."

China's Party Central Committee described General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a close comrade and sincere friend of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, who inherited and promoted the traditional comrades-plus-brothers friendship between the two Parties and countries, creating a deep friendship with the Communist Party of China and China's leaders.

"Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Xi Jinping raised China-Vietnam relations to a Community of common destiny of strategic significance, promoting the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to move forward continuously. The Chinese Party, State and people will forever remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong. Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong lives forever with us!", the committee said.

Chairman of the Cambodia's People's Party Hun Sen sent a letter expressing his "extreme sadness."

"Comrade General Secretary has consolidated the strong fraternal friendship with Cambodia and persistently made efforts over the years to enhance close cooperation not only between the Cambodian People's Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam, but between the two governments and people of our two countries," he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Cambodian National Assembly Chairman Khuon Sudary also sent letters of condolences.

General Raúl Castro Ruz and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel-Bermúdez sent a letter expressing their deepest condolences to the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Vietnamese people.

"The passing of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong is an irreparable loss for Cuba. Cuba will always remember comrade Nguyen Phu Trong as a great brother who tirelessly promoted the special friendly relations between the two Parties, the two National Assemblies, the two governments and the people of our two countries," the letter said.

Cuban leaders called the General Secretary a "dear friend", mentioning his important visit to Cuba in March 2018, especially the memorable moments during his trip to Santiago de Cuba to pay homage to the late President Fidel Castro Ruz.

"We would like to reiterate to comrade To Lam our support and solidarity, along with our steadfast will to continue strengthening the unbreakable brotherly bond that connects Cuba and Vietnam. We would like to send you a hug of friendship and most respectful greetings," the Cuban leaders said, addressing Vietnam's state president.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolences, saying Russia will remember General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as "a true friend who made great personal contributions to the establishment and development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Moscow and Hanoi."

"I had the opportunity to meet that wonderful person many times and will forever remain impressed," Putin said.

Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, also sent letters of condolences.

"A great friend of Russia, an experienced political activist, and a famous state leader has passed away. In the highest state position, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has made many contributions to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia, as well as the cooperation between the two countries' parliaments," said Matviyenko.

Heads of state and government, and leaders of parliaments and political parties of countries; and leaders of international organisations have sent their sympathies to Vietnam over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.

On behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, PM Srettha Thavisin sent his condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam and the Party General Secretary's family for this great loss.

He expressed his admiration for the leader’s important and exemplary contributions to the cause of nation building and development, as well as to the strengthening of Thailand-Vietnam relations, especially the declaration on the upgrading of the two countries' relationship to a strategic partnership on the occasion of the Party General Secretary's visit to Thailand in 2013.

India's leaders expressed their respect for the life and career of General Secretary Trong. They affirmed that they will stand side by side with the leaders and people of Vietnam and the Party chief’s family during this painful period.

General Secretary of the Workers' Party of the DPRK Kim Jong-un affirmed that General Secretary Trong devoted his whole life to the struggle for the development of the Vietnamese Party and State and the happiness of the Vietnamese people; and spent a lot of efforts on strengthening and developing the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, in accordance with the spirit of the agreement reached at the summit talks in March 2019 in Hanoi. He emphasized that Trong’s merits will remain forever in the revolutionary history of the Vietnamese people as well as the friendly relations between the two countries.

RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol sent a message to express his sincere condolences to the family of the Party leader and the people of Vietnam for the loss of a respected leader. He affirmed that the achievements and wishes of the General Secretary for the development of Vietnam and for the deeper friendship and collaboration between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea will forever remain in the minds of the two countries' people.

U.S. President Joe Biden, in his statement on the passing of the Vietnamese Party leader, affirmed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a champion of the deep ties between the American and Vietnamese people whose leadership helped nurture the friendship and partnership the two countries enjoy today.

"His 2015 historic visit to the White House was a milestone in our bilateral relationship. Thanks to his vision, during my 2023 state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam and the United States became comprehensive strategic partners, the highest level of partnership in the Vietnamese system. The people of Vietnam and the United States – and people across the Indo-Pacific region – enjoy greater security and opportunity today because of the friendship between our two countries. That is thanks to him," Biden wrote.

"The United States – and I personally – will remember and appreciate his commitment to reconciliation and to building a future oriented toward peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and around the world. We honor his legacy and mourn his passing alongside the people of Vietnam," Biden added.

Japan's PM Kishida Fumio, in his message of condolences, asserted that the exchanges of opinions with the General Secretary during their meetings have become unforgettable memories for him. He also showed his deepest gratitude for Trong's great contributions to promoting the Japan- Vietnam relationship in various fields.

In their letters, Australian leaders appreciated the affection and sincerity that Party leader Trong devoted to the relations between Vietnam and Australia, especially in upgrading the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. They emphasized that Vietnamese Party chief's great contributions to the cause of building and developing a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam will always be remembered by the international community. They also affirmed that they would continue to attach importance to cultivating "strategic trust" in the Vietnam-Australia relationship as desired by the General Secretary.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that as the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee since 2011, Trong was a leader with a key role in Vietnam's contemporary history. Under his leadership, Vietnam continues its strong development path to become one of the world's leading fast-growing economies and an important partner of the UN.

UNGA President Dennis Francis praised Trong as a dedicated leader who devoted himself to his country for more than a decade.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko also sent their condolences to Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away due to old age and serious illness at 1:38 p.m. on Friday in Hanoi, aged 80. Vietnam's Party Central Committee, National Assembly, president, government, and Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front will issue a special announcement on the organization of a state funeral.