Report on the memorial service for former President Le Duc Anh

• • • • Following the memorial service, the coffin of former President Le Duc Anh will travel from the National Funeral Home, passing by his former official residence (5A Hoang Dieu Street), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and then to Noi Bai Airport before being flown to Ho Chi Minh City. In Ho Chi Minh City, the coffin will pass through Military Region 7, where he served as Commander and Political Commissar, and his private residence at 240 Pasteur Street before arriving at the cemetery.
        

      • • The funeral service will take place from 5 PM today at the Ho Chi Minh City cemetery.

          The convoy carrying the coffin of General Le Duc Anh passes through Ba Dinh Square. Photo:Giang Huy

          The convoy carrying the coffin of former President and General Le Duc Anh passes by the Presidential Palace. Photo:Gia Chinh

        • 11:10

          At the conclusion of the memorial service, Party and State leaders, along with the honor guard, carried the coffin of former President Le Duc Anh to the funeral carriage to the sound of music.Souls of fallen soldiersThe atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Afterwards, the funeral procession slowly departed from the National Funeral Home. Along both sides of the road, large crowds of people stood to bid farewell to the General as he was laid to rest.

          The coffin and portrait of General Le Duc Anh are carried to the hearse. Photo:Giang Huy

          The honor guard carries the coffin draped with the national flag into the hearse. Photo:Giang Huy

          The convoy carrying the coffin of General Le Duc Anh leaves the National Funeral Home. Photo:Giang Huy

        • 11:08 AM

          Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered the eulogy, emphasizing that former President Le Duc Anh was "an outstanding and highly respected leader of the Party, State, Army, and people of Vietnam."

          Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers the eulogy. Photo:VGP

          "General Le Duc Anh was a battle-hardened general, an outstanding commander with strategic vision, brilliant tactics, and the flexibility to handle complex situations; he was one of only two officers in the Vietnam People's Army to be promoted from Colonel to Lieutenant General. The General's military career was associated with many battlefields from the South to the North and the fulfillment of noble international duties," the Prime Minister said.

          According to the Prime Minister, in the fight to defend the southwestern border, General Le Duc Anh was one of the generals who directly commanded the battlefield and achieved many important victories, protecting the sacred border of the Fatherland and helping the Cambodian people escape the genocide. The General also directly inspected, directed, and made important contributions to implementing the policy of building a solid defense posture, determined to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

          After the country achieved peace and reunification, the General was entrusted with many important responsibilities by the Party and the State, such as: Deputy Minister of National Defense and Commander of the Vietnamese Volunteer Army in Cambodia, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Minister of National Defense, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Party Committee; President of Vietnam from September 1992 to December 1997; Advisor to the Central Executive Committee...

          Party and State leaders at the memorial service. Photo:Giang Huy

          The eulogy stated that, in any position, "General Le Duc Anh always pondered, researched, and devoted himself to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. Together with the collective leadership of the Party and the State, he made many important decisions to rebuild the country, initiate the reform process, break the blockade and embargo, and expand the country's foreign relations; together with the Central Military Party Committee and the Ministry of National Defense, he focused on building the people's armed forces, building the 'people's war' strategy and the all-people national defense system, and strengthening the country's defense and security potential."

          "We will forever remember General Le Duc Anh - our beloved Brother Six Nam, a close and loyal comrade, a brilliant general, an outstanding leader, a virtuous, simple, and approachable person. In this moment of sorrow and emotion, we respectfully extend our deepest condolences to the entire family of General Le Duc Anh for this irreplaceable loss," Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said.

          Mr. Le Manh Ha, son of General Le Duc Anh, delivers a speech of gratitude at the funeral. Photo:Giang Huy

          In his response, Mr. Le Manh Ha, son of General Le Duc Anh, thanked the Party and State leaders, comrades, friends, and relatives for always being by the General's side. He also thanked the doctors who cared for his father's health for many years.

          "My father lived the resilient life of a soldier, yet as simple as any other citizen. Overcoming wars and three serious illnesses, he lived to be 100 years old. Love, willpower, luck, and extraordinary vitality helped him live so long and truly be useful to society. But the eternal law of nature has taken him away forever," Mr. Ha said.

          The son of the former President emotionally shared: "The legacy my father left for his children and grandchildren is truly immense and precious. It is the kind heart of a courageous man, loving and selfless, compassionate and selfless. We are truly honored and proud to receive this precious gift. Thank you, Father. We bid you farewell, Father. You are now with Mother, with your friends from times of war and times of peace. Farewell, Father!"

          After a moment of silence, the family and all the delegates attending the funeral walked around the coffin of General Le Duc Anh. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Tran Quoc Vuong, and many other leaders placed their hands on the coffin for a long time to bid farewell to the former President.

        10:45 AM

        Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said that this morning more than 1,000 delegations from agencies, organizations, localities, units, intellectuals, religious dignitaries, and domestic and international organizations came to pay their respects to the late General Le Duc Anh at the funeral home at 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street; the Thong Nhat Hall (Ho Chi Minh City); and his hometown in Thua Thien Hue. Many countries also sent condolences to the Party and State of Vietnam.

        On behalf of the funeral organizing committee, Mr. Binh declared the memorial service for General Le Duc Anh officially open. Following this, all delegates and family members stood solemnly to the sound of the "Marching Song".

      • 10:30

        A high-level Lao delegation, led by Politburo member and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane, paid their respects to General Le Duc Anh.

        The high-level Lao delegation. Photo:Giang Huy

      • 9:57

        At the National Funeral Home grounds, the ceremonial team began preparing the funeral procession and hearse to take the late President Le Duc Anh to the airport.

        Following the memorial service, the coffin of the late President Le Duc Anh will travel from the National Funeral Home, passing by his former official residence (5A Hoang Dieu Street), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and then to Noi Bai Airport before flying to Ho Chi Minh City. In Ho Chi Minh City, the coffin will pass through Military Region 7, where he served as Commander and Political Commissar, and his private residence at 240 Pasteur Street before arriving at the Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery.

        The ceremonial team prepares the funeral procession. Photo:Giang Huy

        The soldiers in the honor guard. Photo:Giang Huy

        The honor guard prepares for the memorial service. Photo:Giang Huy

    • 9:30

      Foreign consular delegations in Ho Chi Minh City paid their respects to General Le Duc Anh.
      

      U.S. Consul General Mary Tarnowka.

  • 9:15

  • • The Prime Minister, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Vice President signed the condolence book.
      

      In the condolence book, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of General Le Duc Anh, "an outstanding leader with immense contributions to the cause of national liberation, reunification of the country, fulfilling international duties to help the Cambodian people escape the genocide, as well as in the process of renovation, integration, building and protecting the Vietnamese Fatherland."

      "I respectfully bow my head before the spirit of Comrade General Le Duc Anh, my beloved Uncle Six Nam! I send my deepest condolences to the entire family for this immense loss!", the Prime Minister shared.

      Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signs the condolence book.

      In the condolence book, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan wrote, "The General was a brilliant politician and military strategist, a talented and exemplary leader, full of compassion and lived a simple life."

      Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh wrote, "We will always remember and cherish the contributions of the brilliant General, the compassionate President, and pledge to continue our good work, contributing to building a stronger and more prosperous Vietnam, developing sustainably on the path of reform and integration."

      Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh led the Presidential delegation to pay their respects. Photo:Gia Chinh

    9:11

  • Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen pays his respects to former President Le Duc Anh.On the afternoon of May 2nd, Mr. Hun Sen met with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. During the meeting, the Cambodian government leader expressed his profound sorrow and condolences on the passing of former President and General Le Duc Anh. Mr. Hun Sen emphasized that General Le Duc Anh was a close friend who contributed to the liberation of Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in 1979.

    Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the memorial service. Photo:Gia Chinh

    Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen signs the condolence book. Photo:Giang Huy

  • 9:00 AM

    Captain Pham Xuan Huong (77 years old, Hanoi), a veteran pilot of the "no-number" ships, arrived early to wait to pay his respects to General Le Duc Anh.The veteran still vividly remembers that in late 1964, he had the honor of working as a mechanic on a ship carrying General Le Duc Anh from the North to the South. "We received orders to go to K15 wharf in Hai Phong to welcome a high-ranking delegation to Ca Mau. Later, I learned that General Le Duc Anh was on that ship. It was a difficult but very proud journey," Mr. Huong recounted.

    Mr. Pham Xuan Huong (fifth from the left) and other veterans who piloted the "no-number" ships pay their respects to General Le Duc Anh. Photo:Viet Tuan

  
  

• • 8:54

    At the hometown of General Lê Đức Anh in Bàn Môn village, Lộc An commune, Phú Lộc district.Ms. Le Thi Xoan, the younger sister of former President Le Duc Anh, along with her family, relatives, and local authorities, organized the funeral.
    

    Ms. Xoan shared that her brother spent his entire life on the battlefields and busy with work in Hanoi, but he loved the food from his hometown. Whenever she went to Hanoi, she would make pork marinated in fish sauce and bring it back for him. "Every time he returned home, my brother not only enjoyed time with family and relatives but also spent time visiting neighbors. Everyone loved him, and today many people came to light incense in his memory," Ms. Xoan said.

    Ms. Le Thi Xoan (seated) and her family are holding the funeral for General Le Duc Anh in her hometown. Photo:Vo Thanh.

  • 8:10

    The Cambodian government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Samdech Tea Banh, paid their respects.

    Cambodian Government delegation. Photo:Gia Chinh

  • 7:50

    The Japanese government delegation, led by Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, paid their respects to former President Le Duc Anh.

    Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya led the Japanese government delegation at the memorial service. Photo:Gia Chinh

  • 7:45

    In General Le Duc Anh's hometown in Thua Thien Hue.The province set up an altar at the People's Committee headquarters for agencies, organizations, and individuals to pay their respects; and flew flags at half-mast on the Flag Tower of Hue Imperial City.

    From early morning, police and military control officers were present at intersections with Le Loi Street to regulate traffic.

    The delegation from the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Fatherland Front was the first to pay their respects.

    The delegation of leaders from Thua Thien Hue province paid their respects to General Le Duc Anh. Photo:Vo Thanh

    
    

    Mr. Phan Ngoc Tho, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province, signs the condolence book. Photo:Ngoc Thanh

  7:40
  

• General Ngo Xuan Lich, Minister of National Defense, led the delegation from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense to pay respects to former President Le Duc Anh. All members of the delegation stood at attention and saluted General Le Duc Anh to the sound of music.Souls of fallen soldiers.

  Delegation from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense at the memorial service. Photo:Gia Chinh

• At 7:07 AM, the delegation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid their respects to General Le Duc Anh.The delegation included National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former Presidents Truong Tan Sang, Nguyen Minh Triet, and Tran Duc Luong; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An...

  After Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc lit incense before the coffin, the delegation observed a minute of silence to the sound of the "Song of the Fallen Soldiers" and slowly walked around the coffin to bid farewell to General Le Duc Anh. Many people clasped their hands in front of their chests and bowed their heads low as they approached the coffin of the late President. Minister of Public Security To Lam raised his hand in a solemn salute, facing the portrait.

  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc paused to shake hands and share the grief with many members of General Le Duc Anh's family before sitting down to sign the condolence book.

  Following the delegation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party were the delegations from the National Assembly and the Government... National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, dressed in a black ao dai, led the National Assembly delegation to pay their respects.

  National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the memorial service. Photo:Giang Huy

• 7:00 AM

  At the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City

• Memorial services for General Le Duc Anh were also held at the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and the People's Committee Hall in Thua Thien Hue province.

• Delegations begin arriving to pay their respects at the funeral of General and former President Le Duc Anh. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

• At exactly 7 o'clock,Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh delivered the opening speech at the funeral, highlighting the contributions of former President Le Duc Anh in various important capacities.

  Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh delivers the opening remarks at the funeral. Photo: Gia Chinh

  According to him, to ensure the burial time in Ho Chi Minh City and to fulfill the family's wishes, the memorial service will be held at 10:45 AM on May 3rd instead of 11:00 AM as previously announced. The burial will take place at 5:00 PM on the same day at a cemetery in Ho Chi Minh City.

6:50

At 6:45 a.m., the honor guard took their positions in preparation for the funeral of General Le Duc Anh.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, along with many current and former leaders of the Party and State, were present to pay their respects.

The coffin of General Le Duc Anh is placed in the center of the funeral home's main hall. In front of the coffin is an altar and the national flag bordered with a black ribbon, followed by a portrait of the General in his military uniform.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and other current and former leaders of the Party and State prepare to pay their respects. Photo:Giang Huy

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh delivers the opening remarks at the funeral. Photo: Gia Chinh

The funeral takes place over one day.

Former President and General Le Duc Anh passed away at 8:10 PM on April 22nd at his residence, 5A Hoang Dieu Street, Hanoi. His funeral was held with state honors. The Funeral Committee consists of 39 people, with General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong as its head.

The memorial service for General Le Duc Anh will take place from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with the funeral ceremony starting at 11:00 AM on May 3rd at the National Funeral Home, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi; the burial will be at 5:00 PM on the same day at a cemetery in Ho Chi Minh City. During the same period, memorial services for General Le Duc Anh will also be held at the Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee Hall.

Former President, General Le Duc Anh. Photo:Collaborator

Following the memorial service, the coffin of the late President Le Duc Anh will travel from the National Funeral Home, passing by his former official residence (5A Hoang Dieu Street), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and then to Noi Bai Airport before flying to Ho Chi Minh City. In Ho Chi Minh City, the coffin will pass through Military Region 7, where he served as Commander and Political Commissar, and his private residence at 240 Pasteur Street before arriving at the Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery.

Mr. Le Manh Ha, son of General Le Duc Anh, stated that the family's wish is for a simple state funeral, reducing the duration of the ceremony by one day. Thus, the state funeral will last two days, but the funeral itself will only take place on one day. The family also hopes that other social activities will continue as normal, without disruption.

6:30

Flags are flown at half-mast in Ba Dinh Square.

At 6:00 AM on May 3rd, flags were lowered to half-mast in Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, marking the beginning of two days of national mourning in remembrance of the late President and General Le Duc Anh. The ceremony was conducted by the honor guard of Regiment 275, Command of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The national flag was tied with black cloth to prevent it from flying freely and hung at two-thirds the height of the flagpole.

In preparation for the state funeral, police were present on many streets around the National Funeral Home from early morning to manage traffic; security in the area was tightened. This morning, it was drizzling and slightly chilly in Hanoi.

The flag-lowering ceremony took place in Ba Dinh Square on the morning of May 3rd. Photo:Gia Chinh

During the two days of national mourning (May 3rd and 4th), government offices and public places flew flags at half-mast and suspended all entertainment activities. Vietnam Television and Vietnam Radio broadcast live coverage of the memorial service, funeral ceremony, and burial of General Le Duc Anh in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Born in 1920 in Loc An commune (Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province), General Le Duc Anh was one of the few people whose career was closely linked to many periods of the revolution.

He joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1938 and held many important positions during the resistance wars against French colonialism, against American imperialism, and the wars to defend the southwestern and northern borders.

From 1981 to 1986, he served as Deputy Minister of National Defense and concurrently as Commander of the Vietnamese Volunteer Army in Cambodia; he was elected to the Politburo by the 5th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (in 1982); he was promoted to General in 1984; and he has held the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army since 1986.

In February 1987, he became Minister of Defense. In 1992, he was elected President by the National Assembly. From 1997, he served as an advisor to the Central Committee of the Communist Party until his retirement in 2001.

Former President Le Duc Anh was awarded the following honors: the Gold Star Order, the Ho Chi Minh Order, the First Class Military Merit Order, the Second Class Combat Merit Order, the First Class Victory Order, and numerous orders from the former Soviet Union, Cuba, Cambodia, and Laos. He was a member of the National Assembly for the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th terms; a member of the Central Committee of the Party from the 4th to the 8th terms; and a member of the Politburo for the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th terms.