LIVE: State Funeral of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai

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.

Pictures from Ho Chi Minh City:

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong (first row, middle), former Party leader Nong Duc Manh (R) and former Party chief (L) Le Kha Phieu at the State Funeral in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoitre.vn

Delegations arrive at Thong Nhat Hall to pay tribute to late PM Phan Van Khai. Photo: VNA

State President Tran Dai Quang signs the Book of Condolences. Photo: Tuoitre.vn

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: Tuoitre.vn

(First row right-left) NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairman Nguyen Van An, former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. (Second row right-left) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Photo: Tuoitre.vn

A delegation of Party and State leaders and former leaders pay tribute to late PM Khai in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNA

At International Convention Center, Ha Noi

A delegation of high-ranking officials pay tribute to late PM Khai at the International Convention Center, Le Hong Phong Street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi. Photo: VGP

Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue offers incense to pay tribute to late PM Khai. Photo: VGP

Photo: VGP

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Khai was known as an active and decisive leader in institutional development with innovative spirit in order to promote the capacity of all economic sectors, especially private one, together with opening door to the world and integrating internationally.

During his tenures, Viet Nam issued the Law on Enterprises, abolishing hundreds of sub-licenses, and joined several rounds of tough talks on Viet Nam’s accession to the World Trade Organization, among others.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai

People from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces gather at the home of late PM Khai to bid farewell to him. Photo: VNExpress.net

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Earlier on Monday, thousands of people from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces gathered at the home of late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in Tan Thong Hoi Commune, Cu Chi District to pay tribute and bid farewell to Khai.

At 7 pm March 19, his coffin was transported to the Independence Palace (Thong Nhat Hall) in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City for State Funeral.

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Phan Van Khai was born on December 25, 1933 in Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City. He became a member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on July 15, 1959.

He studied foreign languages and economics in Moscow, former Soviet Union (Russia now) from 1959-1965, then worked in the General Affairs Department of the State Planning Committee from 1965 to 1971 with the highest position as head of the office.

From 1972-1975, he was a researcher of the southern economy. In the period, he was sent to the southern battlefield and then served as deputy head of the Government Unification Committee.

From 1976-1984, Khai was Vice Chairman and then Chairman of the Planning Committee, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, member of the city’s Party Committee.

From 1985 to March 1989, he served as a member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the city People’s Committee.

From April 1989 to August 1991, he was a member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the State Planning Committee.

From July 1991 to August 1997, Khai was a Politburo member and served as Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, and Standing Deputy Prime Minister.

Phan Van Khai took the office of the Prime Minister from September 1997 to June 2006.

He was a National Assembly deputy of the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th tenures, and a member of the Politburo in the 7th, 8th and 9th tenures.

He was conferred with the Golden Star Order and the 55-year Party membership badge.