Viet Nam to hold State funeral for former PM Phan Van Khai

Former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Photo: VNA

The State funeral will take place on March 20-21, starting from 8:00 am at Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City where his remains are preserved.

It will be followed by a memorial service at the hall at 7:30 am on March 22. The burial ceremony is scheduled at 11:00 am the same day in his hometown – Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City.

The tribute-paying and memorial ceremonies will take place at the International Convention Center, Le Hong Phong street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi at the same time with those in HCM City.

The Viet Nam Television (VTV) and the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) will broadcast these ceremonies live.

On March 20 and 21, all State offices and public facilities will fly the national flag at half-mast and all entertainment activities will cease.

On March 17, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) issued a special announcement on the death of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Comrade Phan Van Khai, born on December 25, 1933, native to Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, residing at No.24 Tu Xuong street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, passed away at 1:30am on March 17, 2018 at his home in Tan Thong Hoi commune, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, due to ailment and old age, according to the announcement.

He joined the revolution in 1947 and the Communist Party of Viet Nam on July 15, 1959.

He was former member of the CPV Central Committee of the V, VI, VII, VIII, IX tenures, former Politburo member of the VII, VIII, IX tenures, permanent member of the Politburo of the VIII tenure, former Prime Minister and National Assembly deputy of the VIII, IX, X and XI tenures.

Throughout 70 years of revolutionary activities, he made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the CPV and the nation.

He was conferred with the Golden Star Order and the 55-year Party membership badge, and many other noble distinctions of Viet Nam and foreign countries.

The former PM’s death is a great loss to the CPV, State and people, the announcement said.

To commemorate comrade Phan Van Khai, the CPV Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government and the VFF Central Committee decided to hold a State funeral for him.