State funeral for former Party chief Le Kha Phieu begins

The two-day State funeral for former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu starts at 8:00 am on August 14

Organizations and individuals can pay last respects to the former Party leader until 11:59 am on Saturday.

The delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pay respects to former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu. Photo: VNA

Photo: VNA

The memorial service is scheduled to take place at the National Funeral Hall at 00:30 pm on Saturday while the burial ceremony will be held at 2:00 pm the same day at Ha Noi’s Mai Dich Cemetery.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

At the same time, respect-paying ceremony and memorial service will also be held at Thong Nhat (Reunification) Conference Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and the Conference Hall of the People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Province, the hometown of former Party chief Le Kha Phieu.

The delegation of the Government led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VNA

National broadcaster Viet Nam Television (VTV) and national Radio, the Voice of Viet Nam, will telecast the funeral ceremonies in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa Province.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc extends condolences to the family of former Party chief Le Kha Phieu. Photo: VNA

During the two-day State funeral, national flags will be flown at half-mask at Government buildings and public places, and recreational and entertainment activities are suspended.

Comrade Le Kha Phieu was born on December 27, 1931 in Dong Khe Commune, Dong Son District, Thanh Hoa Province, residing at No. 7/36/C1 Ly Nam De Street, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi.

The delegation of the National Assembly led by Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Photo: VNA

He started to join revolutionary activities in 1947 and became a Party member on June 19, 1949.

The delegation of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee led by President Tran Thanh Man. Photo: VNA

He was member of the Party Central Committee of the 7th and 8th tenures; member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat of the 7th tenure; Politburo member of the Party Central Committee of the7th and 8th tenures; General Secretary of the Party Central Committee from December 1997 to April 2001; and Deputy to the National Assembly of the 9th and 10th tenures.

President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man. Photo: VNA

After more than 70 years of revolutionary activities, Comrade Le Kha Phieu had made made great contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

The delegation of the State President led by Vice State President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Photo: VGP

Le Kha Phieu had been awarded with a Gold Star Order, an Insignia of 70-year Party membership, and many other noble orders and medals.

The delegation of Laos led by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Photo: VNA

Photo: VNA

By Quang Minh