The United Nations General Assembly observed a minute of silence for President Tran Dai Quang.

Representatives of countries attending the meeting observed a minute of silence for President Tran Dai Quang. Photo: Hoai Thanh - VNA correspondent in the US

Speaking before the opening of the third plenary session of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in the presence of representatives of 193 UN member states, President of the General Assembly - Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces announced the passing of President Tran Dai Quang, and expressed her deep condolences to the President's family, the Government and people of Vietnam, and asked representatives of countries attending the session to observe a minute of silence for President Tran Dai Quang.

After a minute of silence, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy expressed his gratitude to international friends for their sharing and sympathy for the great pain and loss of the Vietnamese people at the sudden passing of President Tran Dai Quang.

Chairwoman of the General Assembly - Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces sent her deepest condolences to the family of President Tran Dai Quang, the Government and people of Vietnam. Photo: Hoai Thanh - VNA correspondent in the US

Earlier the same day, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement expressing his sorrow over the passing of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. The statement by UN spokesman Stephane Dujaric said the Secretary-General expressed his sympathy and condolences to the family of President Tran Dai Quang, the Government and people of Vietnam. The statement said "as a friend of the United Nations and an important player in promoting Vietnam's development, President Tran Dai Quang will always be remembered at home and abroad"./.