Hanoi (VNA) ﷺ– Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a leader of integrity who was tireless in his efforts for building and development of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Martín Hacthoun, a journalist from Prensa Latina, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in Havana.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party chief was steadfast in fighting corruption, and efforts to strengthen Party discipline, promote political stability and develop diplomatic relations. He, as a Party leader, focused on guiding youth in terms of politics and ideology. In recognition of his contributions, General Secretary Trong was awarded the Gold Star Order, the highest honour of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, bestowed upon individuals with outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, he noted. The people of Cuba remember him as a beloved and sincere friend, Hacthoun said. In his political career, Trong was one of the most effective advocates for the special relations and mutual trust between the two parties, parliaments, governments, and peoples of Vietnam and Cuba. The Cuban government declared national mourning in commemoration of the Vietnamese Party leader as a testament to their gratitude, he added. The Cuban journalist said he was deeply impressed by the Party leader’s simplicity, expression of warm botherhood, sincere smile, and above all, his wisdom and expertise in Vietnam's political life, the National Assembly's important tasks and what the country should do to bolster its development. The memories will always be in his mind, he added. Taking with VNA correspondents in Buenos Aires, Chairwoman of the Argentina - Vietnam Cultural Institute (ICAV) Poldi Sosa Schmidt extended her condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, as well as to friends who love Vietnam over the passing of General Secretary Trong, and affirmed that the legacy left by the Vietnamese leader is immensely significant. Visiting Vietnam 26 times since 1997, Poldi Sosa has witnessed the country's miraculous changes, with its increasingly growing economy, modern infrastructure, and improved people's lives. She attributed this outcome to the sound leadership of the CPV's leaders, especially General Secretary Trong. The ICAV Chairwoman emphasised the contributions of Party leader Trong in preserving and promoting Vietnam's national culture. She expressed her appreciation for Trong's viewpoint of placing culture on a par with economics, politics and society, as well as considering culture the spiritual foundation of society. In today's globalised and interconnected world, preserving the core values of a nation is of utmost importance. She asserted that in the relations between countries, culture serves as a bridge between peoples, bringing them closer together, and friends who love Vietnam will always remember General Secretary Trong as a great culturalist. General Secretary of the Brazil - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABRAVIET) Pedro de Oliveira also expressed his sadness over the passing of the Vietnamese Party leader and highly appreciated Trong's contributions to the country's development. During years of studying President Ho Chi Minh, he has engaged with General Secretary Trong's theoretical works, including the book "Some theoretical issues and practical issues about socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam". Articles in the book vividly reflect the essence and core values of socialism in all aspects, from politics, economics, Party building, to culture, society, defence, security, and foreign affairs, distilled from Vietnam's vibrant practical life, he noted./.