General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reads the eulogy for former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai

Funeral procession of late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Photo: VGP

Leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, paternal and maternal families of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, representatives of ministries, departments, branches, central and local organizations, and a large number of people from all walks of life attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Funeral Committee for Comrade Phan Van Khai read the eulogy to send former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to his final resting place:

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reads the eulogy. Photo: Tuoitre - VGP

“Comrade Phan Van Khai, former member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, National Assembly Delegate of the 8th, 6th, 10th and 11th tenures. The outstanding leader of our Party, State and people, a staunch Communist Party member who fought all his life for national independence and freedom, the happiness of the people and the ideal of Socialism, has left us forever.

His passing is a great loss to the Party, the State, our people and his family.

Today, in deep emotion and sorrow, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, together with comrades, compatriots, friends and family, solemnly held a memorial service and sent off comrade Phan Van Khai to his final resting place.

Comrade Phan Van Khai was born on December 25, 1933 in Tan Thong Hoi Commune, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. Inheriting the patriotic tradition of his hometown and family, he was enlightened about the revolution early. In 1947, at the age of 14, he joined the Commune's National Salvation Youth Team. In July 1959, he was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam.

With more than 70 years of revolutionary activities, from participating in the revolutionary movement in his hometown of Hoc Mon in Gia Dinh to holding the position of head of the Government, the life of comrade Phan Van Khai is closely associated with the struggle for independence and national unification as well as in the cause of innovation, construction and protection of the Fatherland, the whole country moving towards building socialism.

In his positions as Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Politburo member, Politburo Standing Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Prime Minister, he always pondered, researched, and devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of the nation; together with the Party Central Committee and the Government, he led the entire Party, people, and army to carry out the renovation process, bringing our country out of the socio-economic crisis, developing a socialist-oriented market economy, maintaining socio-political stability, strengthening national defense and security, expanding foreign relations and international integration, and achieving great achievements of historical significance.

During a long period of revolutionary activities and taking on many important responsibilities of the Party and the State, regardless of his position, he was absolutely loyal to the Party's revolutionary goals and ideals; always upholding the pioneering and exemplary spirit, the qualities of thrift, integrity, impartiality and selflessness of a Communist Party member; doing his utmost to preserve and strengthen solidarity and unity within the Party, building an increasingly strong Party, always putting the interests of the Party, the country and the people above all; living closely with the people, he was trusted and loved by his comrades and compatriots, and respected by international friends.

At work, he is a leader with strategic thinking, courage, creativity, and dedication; always listens to the opinions of Party members and people; has many important contributions to planning and organizing the implementation of the Party's innovation policy and the cause of industrialization, modernization of the country and international integration.

In the family, he was an exemplary, virtuous and compassionate husband, father and grandfather.

With 85 years of age and 59 years of Party membership, comrade Phan Van Khai has strived his whole life and made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the people. The Party and the State have awarded him many noble awards such as the Gold Star Order, the 55-year Party membership badge and many other noble medals.

The revolutionary life of comrade Phan Van Khai is a shining example for compatriots, comrades and soldiers nationwide to respect, learn from and follow.

Dear comrade Phan Van Khai, dear brother Sau Khai!

Today, we are here to express our deepest condolences and deep affection, to send him to his final resting place.

Goodbye!

We pledge to unite with our entire Party, people and army to strive to continue following the revolutionary path chosen by the Party, Uncle Ho and the people, firmly upholding Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the ideal of national independence and socialism, comprehensively promoting the renovation process for the goal of building a prosperous, strong, democratic, equitable and civilized Vietnam.

Dear Mr. Sau Khai!

He has passed away, but his contributions to the revolutionary cause of our Party and nation will forever be imprinted in the hearts of Party members and people.

In this moment of grief and emotion, we would like to respectfully send to the family of comrade Phan Van Khai our deepest condolences for the irreparable pain and loss.

I respectfully bow my head and bid farewell to comrade Phan Van Khai. Our beloved brother Sau Khai!”

The coffin of late Prime Minister Phan Van Khai leaves the Reunification Hall to return to his hometown in Cu Chi district. Photo: Tuoitre-VGP

The representative of comrade Phan Van Khai's family expressed gratitude for the affection of the Party and State leaders, people, and friends at home and abroad for comrade Phan Van Khai and his family in recent days.

At the end of the funeral ceremony, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee Truong Hoa Binh invited Party and State leaders, representatives of the Lao delegation and the former Prime Minister's family to walk around the coffin to bid farewell to former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

After the funeral ended, Major General Nguyen Minh Hoang, Deputy Political Commissar of Military Region 7, conducted the procession.

Leading the way was the National Flag, followed by the Military Flag, the portrait of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, followed by the honor guard carrying the Medal; next was the family representative lifting the incense bowl, followed by the honor guard slowly carrying the coffin of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to the hearse.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan walked in front of the coffin of former Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.