Hanoi (VNA) – Nearly 50 representatives fromembassies, diplomatic missions, and international organisations in Vietnam paidtribute and wrote in the funeral guest book at the State-level respect-paying and memorial ceremonies for former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan at theNational Funeral Hall in Hanoi on June 27.

Writing in the funeral book, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Stepanovich Bezdetko expressed his sincere condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people and the family of former Deputy PM Vu Khoan over the great loss. He highlightedhuge contributions made by the former leader to promoting the traditional friendshipbetween Vietnam and Russia.

Representing the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Regional Representative for Asia - Pacific of OIF Edgar Doerig also extended the deepest condolences to the Party, State and people of Vietnam as well as the family of the deceased, and stressedthat former Deputy PM Vu Khoan did not only make tireless contributions to Vietnam’s development but also played a significantrole in nurturing the relationships between Vietnam and other countries.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper wrote that theUS government and people will not forget the contributions of former Deputy PM VuKhoan in tightening the friendship and partnership between the two countries.

The Japanese and Indian Ambassadors to Vietnam, YamadaTakio and Sandeep Arya, also expressed their deepest condolences to the Vietnamese Governmentand people over the passing of former Deputy PM Vu Khoan.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh sent wreaths in tribute to the deceased.

A delegation of the Party Central Committee,led by Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party CentralCommittee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’sOrganisation Commission, came to pay the last respects to Deputy PM Khoan and offercondolences to the bereaved family.

The delegation was joined by former Party GeneralSecretary Nong Duc Manh, former Presidents Truong Tan Sang and Nguyen XuanPhuc, former PM Nguyen Tan Dung, and former Chairpersons of the NationalAssembly (NA) Nguyen Sinh Hung and Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

The NA delegation led by NA Chairman VuongDinh Hue, the State President delegation led by President Vo Van Thuong, theGovernment delegation led by Deputy PM Le Minh Khai, and the Vietnam FatherlandFront Central Committee delegation led by its Vice President Hoang Cong Thuypaid homage to Vu Khoan.

Ministries, committees, and agencies at centraland local levels also came to show their respect for the former Deputy PM andextended sympathies to the bereaved family.

The burial ceremony took place at the MaiDich Cemetery in Hanoi at 3pm the same day.

Vu Khoan passed away on June 21 after a period ofillness.

He was born on October 7, 1937 in Phu Xuyendistrict, Hanoi. On December 19, 1961, he became a member of the CommunistParty of Vietnam.

He was a member of the Party Central Committee inthe 7th, 8th, and 9th tenures, Secretary of the Party CentralCommittee in the 9th tenure, deputy of the NationalAssembly in the 11th tenure, and Deputy PrimeMinister from August 2002 to June 2006.

During his political career, he also held variouspositions, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990 - 2000) andMinister of Trade (2000 - 2002).

Vu Khoan was honoured with many noble titles bythe Vietnamese Party, State and Government, including the first-classIndependence Order and the 60-year Party Membership Badge./.