Farewell to Former President Tran Duc Luong - an exemplary and dedicated leader

President Tran Duc Luong was born in Pho Khanh Commune, Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai Province, on May 5, 1937.

He moved to the north in February 1955 and joined the Communist Party of Viet Nam on December 19, 1959.

He was a member of the Party Central Committee for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th tenures; member of the Politburo for the 8th and 9th tenures; and member of the Politburo’s Standing Board for the 8th tenure.

He served as Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers from February 1987 to September 1992, Deputy Prime Minister from October 1992 to August 1997, and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from 1997 to 2006.

Over the more than 50 years of his revolutionary career, Tran Duc Luong made tremendous contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. He was awarded the Gold Star Order, the 65-year Party membership badge and many other orders, medals, awards and noble titles.

As one of the key leaders of the Party and State, Tran Duc Luong always upheld the spirit of responsibility, exemplary conduct and maintained the unity and solidarity of the Party, loving his comrades and compatriots.

He was always truly receptive, modest in learning, respectfully listening to contributing opinions; always putting the interests of the Party and the nation above all else. He was beloved by his comrades and compatriots, and respected by international friends.

To the people in Viet Nam’s rural areas, President Tran Duc Luong was one of the leaders who wholeheartedly worked to revitalise the country and homeland; always sharing concerns with the people, close to the people, understanding the people, for the people, deeply engaged in developing agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, together looking towards a better future for the homeland and country.

Those who had the honour of accompanying and serving President Tran Duc Luong for many years still vividly remember the image of the state leader being simple and approachable on every working trip to rural and mountainous areas.

He not only cared about infrastructure, electricity, roads, schools and healthcare stations, but also directly listened to people’s thoughts; exchanged with cadres and Party members about methods of crop rotation, enhancing the value of agricultural products, and eliminating poverty; and contributed to creating many sustainable socio-economic development models.

Throughout his entire life and revolutionary career, the moral example, wisdom and dedication of late President Tran Duc Luong will forever live in the hearts of every cadre, Party member, comrade and compatriot. More than ever, the responsibility of today’s generation is to continue the glorious cause, following the path that he and previous generations of leaders painstakingly built, taking the country forward strongly, worthy of the people’s trust.

Farewell President Tran Duc Luong! The entire Party, armed forces and people are determined to unite as one, strive with all efforts, steadfastly following the glorious revolutionary path that the Party, Uncle Ho and our people have chosen, comprehensively and synchronously promoting the renovation cause, building a Viet Nam with wealthy people in a strong, democratic, just civilised nation; confidently stepping into a new era - an era of the nation’s strong development and prosperity.

Each decision today needs the harmonious blend of collective wisdom with the aspiration for renewal, maintaining the faith and expectations of the people, which former President Tran Duc Luong was concerned about throughout his life. The entire Party, armed forces and people pledge to strive to successfully complete the set goals and tasks, prepare and organise well the Party congresses at all levels, leading up to the 14th National Party Congress.

The passing of former President Tran Duc Luong is a great loss for the Party, State, our people and his family. In this moment of mourning, we respectfully extend our deepest condolences to his family for the irreplaceable pain and loss.

To remember President Tran Duc Luong, the Party Central Committee, the Vietnamese National Assembly, the Vietnamese President, the Vietnamese Government and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front have decided to hold a state funeral for the former state leader.

The entire Party, armed forces and people respectfully bow in farewell, remembering the great contributions of President Tran Duc Luong to the country and the people!

Link to the original article