Vietnam declares national mourning in memory of the President of the Lao National Assembly.

Vietnam will observe a national mourning period for the late Speaker of the Lao National Assembly, Xaysomphone Phomvihane, on August 10-11.

The decision was made to express condolences and stems from the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, according to a special communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

During the national mourning period, all agencies and offices nationwide, as well as Vietnamese representative offices abroad, will fly flags at half-mast with black mourning ribbons as prescribed, and will not organize public entertainment or recreational activities.

[Image caption: Speaker of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Speaker of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away at 11:18 AM on August 8, at the age of 70.

[Image caption: Speaker of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane] In a special communiqué dated August 9th, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front stated that Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane was a leader who played a crucial role in inheriting, nurturing, and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic linkage between Vietnam and Laos.

“His passing is a great loss to the country of Laos and to Vietnam-Laos relations,” the special communiqué stated.

Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane was born on December 12, 1956, in Nameo commune, Viengxay district, Houaphanh province. He held leadership positions at the local level and in various sectors and fields before assuming the position of Chairman of the Lao National Assembly in January 2021, making significant contributions to parliamentary diplomacy and enhancing Laos’ role and position on the international stage.

The Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the National Assembly, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction are holding a five-day national mourning period for National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane, from August 9th to 13th. The memorial service will be held on August 13th at That Luang Square.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will lead a high-level delegation from the Vietnamese Party and State to pay respects to the late Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane in Vientiane.