14:15

• Many Ninh Binh residents stood outside the security fence looking at the funeral procession. Photo:Le Hoang.

  Female traffic police on duty at the funeral. Photo:Giang Huy.

• 13:40

  The President's remains were moved to the altar next to the grave. The organizers announced that the funeral would continue until 3:30 p.m. After a heavy rain in the afternoon, the sky had cleared but remained cloudy.

  The head of the President's family delegation read the eulogy, emphasizing that the passing of General Tran Dai Quang was an unexpected loss. He recited a long poem praising the President for his integrity and love for the people and his family.

  After the eulogy, the paternal and maternal relatives walked around the President's coffin, tears streaming down their faces. Following them were the delegations of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee of Ninh Binh province offering incense.

  Neighboring provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Thai Binh, Ha Nam... also sent delegations to pay their respects.

  The tomb was built with three levels of red brick. Photo:Le Hoang.

• 13:30

  The funeral procession entered the mausoleum to the sound of mournful music played by a military band. Thousands of relatives, local leaders and monks stood in two rows.

  Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and other senior leaders were present in front of the altar area.

  Relatives, central and local leaders welcomed the remains into the ceremony area. Photo:Le Hoang.

  The hearse stopped in front of the covered altar area. Photo:Le Hoang.

  The procession accompanying the hearse carrying the President entered the tomb. Photo:Le Hoang.

• 13:15

  The funeral procession traveled along Highway 10, arriving at Quang Thien Commune, Kim Son District. The hearse passed by several places associated with the President's childhood, such as the small house in Hamlet 13 and the old school he attended. Photo:Le Hoang.

• 13:00

  At the President's altar set up next to the tomb, hundreds of monks, nuns and lay people were present to prepare prayers for the deceased's soul.

  The altar was set up at the burial site in the field of village 13, Quang Thien commune, Kim Son district. Photo:Giang Huy.

  Next to the grave, the military band was in position. Photo:Giang Huy.

• 12:30

  Like many people from Kim Son, for many days now, Mr. Le Kim Toan (80 years old) has been sad and regretful when he received the news of his former student's death. Mr. Toan was the homeroom teacher for three years of the President's high school at Kim Son B School (now Kim Son B High School, Kim Son District). Due to poor health, he could not attend the funeral, so he had to ask his relatives to light incense for his former student.

  Teacher Le Kim Toan and his wife review the commemorative photo with the President. Photo:Le Hoang.

  He recalled, "Quang's family was poor and even more difficult when his father died early, leaving six siblings living with their mother," Mr. Toan recalled. "Quang was slim, had a high forehead, and showed early intelligence and a love of learning from a young age." Mr. Toan taught all six of the President's brothers.

• 12:20

  Mrs. Nguyen Thi Khang (75 years old) stood pensively outside the security fence. She said her hometown is 25 km from the President's house, so she came to pay her respects to him yesterday afternoon. She stayed overnight to attend the funeral today. "I have never met the President, but I heard many people say that he was poor and studious, so I feel sorry for him," she said.

  Only a few responsible people were allowed into the mausoleum, everyone stood outside the fence set up by the funeral security force.

  People stand in the rain outside the security fence. Photo:Le Hoang.

• 12:15

  The afternoon sky in Ninh Binh was sometimes gloomy, sometimes pouring rain. Although the organizers had announced the funeral time at 3:30 p.m. many days in advance, from noon, upon hearing the news of the funeral procession's arrival, thousands of people from Kim Son and neighboring districts flocked to the cemetery to wait. Highway 10 was congested and chaotic as people stopped to watch, forcing the police and funeral security forces to work hard to clear the traffic.

  Mrs. Nga from Yen Khanh district and her husband traveled 20 km to attend the funeral in the morning. "He passed away so young, everyone in his hometown is mourning," she said, holding a portrait of President Tran Dai Quang in her hand.

  On the way to the burial site, local high school students stood in a line holding signs that read "Kim Son people deeply mourn President Tran Dai Quang". Photo:Le Hoang.

  On the opposite side is a team of male students holding his portrait. Photo:Le Hoang.

• 12:00

  This morning, a small altar was set up in village 13, Quang Thien commune, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, for villagers to come and pay their respects and attend the memorial service for President Tran Dai Quang at the same time as the ceremony taking place in Hanoi. The President passed away on the morning of September 21 in Hanoi, after more than a year of treatment for a serious illness.

  His burial place is located on a large flat land next to Highway 10, bordered by fields on two sides. The other side has a small irrigation stream with clear water, overlooking the village associated with his childhood. The riverbank is paved with boulders, with three stone bridges crossing it. The roads around the cemetery are paved with asphalt and paved with bluestone.

  The President's burial place. Photo:Giang Huy.