A state funeral will be held in Ho Chi Minh City to honor General Le Van Dung, former Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, who passed away on January 9 after a period of illness. He was 81 years old.

The announcement was made jointly by the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and his family. Despite dedicated care from the Party, State, military, medical professionals, and his loved ones, General Le Van Dung passed away at his home due to age-related health issues.

A life of service

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General Le Van Dung, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and former Chairman of the General Department of Politics, passed away on January 9 at the age of 81.

Born Nguyen Van Noi on December 25, 1945, in Phong My Commune, Giong Trom District, Ben Tre Province (now Luong Hoa Commune, Vinh Long Province), General Le Van Dung enlisted in the army on May 14, 1963, and became a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam on September 23, 1965.

He served as a member of the Party Central Committee for the 8th, 9th, and 10th terms; a member of the Party Secretariat for the 9th and 10th terms; a National Assembly delegate for the 11th and 12th terms; and held several senior positions in the military including Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff, and Chairman of the General Department of Politics.

Throughout his revolutionary career, General Le Van Dung made significant contributions to the national struggle and the Party’s cause. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Ho Chi Minh Order, the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, the 60-year Party membership badge, and numerous other high honors.

A state-level farewell

To commemorate his life and dedication, the Party and State have decided to organize a state funeral for General Le Van Dung.

The Secretariat has established a 25-member State Funeral Committee led by Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien.

His body will lie in state at the National Funeral House in the South, located at 5 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City. The visitation and memorial service will take place on the morning of January 14, followed by burial in An Binh Hamlet, Phu Tuc Commune, Vinh Long Province.

A soldier’s path to greatness

General Le Van Dung rose through the ranks from a front-line soldier, having directly participated in some of the fiercest battles during the resistance war against the United States.

During the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, he served as the Political Commissar of Regiment 1, Division 9, Army Corps 4 (now Army Corps 34). Under his leadership, the regiment played a key role in the victory of Spring 1975, contributing significantly to the liberation of the South and national reunification.

In peacetime, General Le Van Dung continued to serve in several critical military and Party leadership positions, including Commander of Army Corps 4, Commander of Military Region 7, Chief of the General Staff, and ultimately Chairman of the General Department of Politics.

Throughout his career, he was known for his unwavering loyalty to the Party, dedication to the people, hands-on leadership, and close ties to his fellow officers and soldiers.

Legacy of leadership and reform

With strategic foresight, a reform-oriented mindset, and a scientific approach to work, General Le Van Dung made vital contributions to strengthening the Party’s presence in the military, enhancing the Vietnam People’s Army’s political foundation, and ensuring its steady evolution into a revolutionary, standardized, elite, and increasingly modern force.

He played a pivotal role in maintaining the Party’s ideological stronghold within the armed forces and aligning military readiness with the new requirements of national defense.

In December 2025, in recognition of his exceptional achievements, the President of Vietnam awarded him the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces.

Tran Thuong