Letter from the Lao General Secretary's wife to the General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's wife

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong devoted his entire life tirelessly to the country and the Vietnamese people until his last breath. Those are the touching words in the letter from Lao General Secretary Naly Sisoulith's wife to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's wife, Ngo Thi Man.

Here is the full text of the letter:

Dear Ms. Man!

Today, July 19, when I just got home, Thongloun (Thongloun Sisulith - General Secretary, President of Laos) approached me with a sad face and spoke in an unusual voice: "Naly, I just received the news that Nguyen Phu Trong passed away, he has left us."

Sister Man, at that moment I was so shocked that I couldn't speak and I couldn't hold back my tears. Thoongloun quickly hugged me, patted me on the back and comforted me: "I am also very sorry and saddened to receive the urgent report from Hanoi. Please stay calm and strong... Brother Trong has passed away peacefully. He has closed his eyes and gone far away in the endless regret and sorrow of the people of Vietnam...".

Dear Ms. Man, all Vietnamese people and many people in Laos know the name of Mr. Trong, a man who tirelessly devoted his whole life to the country and the Vietnamese people until his last breath.

For many years, in his leadership position, although his career and daily work in Vietnam are very heavy (hundreds of thousands of tasks), he still spends time caring about Laos and the Lao people. He has helped our Lao country a lot in terms of intelligence, lessons and experience, and also in terms of material things... Mr. Trong often says: "Helping a friend is helping yourself," Mr. Thoongloun has told me about this many times and told me many other things about Mr. Trong's feelings for the Lao people, for the Lao leaders, for Laos and the Lao people, especially for Mr. Thoongloun personally.

Dear Ms. Man,

I still remember very clearly the memories of the times I welcomed Mr. Trong and Ms. Man in Laos. We used to sit on the same plane, sit in the same car and have warm, friendly conversations. And every time Mr. Thongloun visited Vietnam, I was welcomed very warmly and friendly by her. And every time Mr. Thongloun came to meet and work with Mr. Trong, Ms. Man always sent her warm greetings to me... I felt the warmth every time Mr. Trong and Mr. Thoongloun worked together, ate together, Mr. Thongloun always brought me good news from Ms. Man.

Dear Ms. Man,

Although Mr. Trong has left us, I hope that the close relationship between us sisters will last forever and our children and grandchildren will always maintain this precious relationship.

Dear Ms. Man, I write this letter to you with my condolences for Mr. Trong, who has passed away, and with my concern and worry for you...

The letter I am writing here is actually written in smudged ink mixed with my tears. I am not sure if I will be able to go with Thoongloun's delegation to attend Trong's funeral or not. In case I cannot go, I will ask Thoongloun to deliver this letter to you directly.

Dear Ms. Man,

In the atmosphere of infinite sadness and regret at the passing of Mr. Trong, I pray for his soul to soon be liberated and return to the eternal world. As for you, I just hope you will take care of your health and live a long, long life with your children, grandchildren, and neighbors.

With love and concern!

Naly SISOULITH