The General Secretary now rests forever, leaving behind immense sorrow for the Party, the State, the people, and his family.

Video: Memorial and Burial Ceremony of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Video: People Line the Streets to Bid Farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:

3:20pm: President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Permanent member of the Party Secretariat Luong Cuong, along with many delegates and the family, walked around the grave of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The armed forces saluted. Many people clasped their hands in a final farewell before the grave and the portrait of the General Secretary.

Beside the grave of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, his wife, Ngo Thi Man, along with the family, shook hands and expressed their gratitude to the leaders, former leaders, and delegates attending the burial ceremony, for accompanying General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to his final resting place.

3:15pm: Party and State leaders, the family, and the delegates observed a one-minute silence to bid farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

On behalf of the Funeral Organizing Committee and the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Permanent member of the Party Secretariat Luong Cuong, Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front; esteemed delegates and compatriots from across the country; the armed forces; intellectuals; religious dignitaries; diplomatic corps; leaders of other countries; organizations; and international friends who came to pay their respects, sent wreaths, condolence messages, attended the memorial service, burial ceremony, and bid farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

3:09pm: The honor guards performed the burial ritual in the presence of Party and State leaders, the family of the General Secretary, and the delegates attending the burial ceremony.

3:00pm: Colonel Nguyen Thien Hoc, Commander of the Military Ceremonial Unit, announced the commencement of the burial ceremony for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The interment ritual began.

Party and State leaders, former leaders, and the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong dropped the first handfuls of flowers and soil into the grave.

2:50pm: After more than an hour traveling through various streets, the funeral procession carrying the coffin of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived at Mai Dich Cemetery.

The burial ceremony for the General Secretary will begin in about 10 minutes.

The grave of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is located to the right of the National Memorial, behind the graves of the late General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and the late General Secretary Le Duan.

According to Government Decree 105, the criteria for senior officials eligible for burial at Mai Dich Cemetery include officials managed by the Politburo; revolutionary veterans before 1945 awarded the First-Class Independence Medal or higher; scientists, cultural figures, writers, and poets who received the Ho Chi Minh Prize; outstanding generals, heroes of the armed forces, and others of similar distinction.

2:23pm: The funeral procession carrying the coffin of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong reached Tran Duy Hung Street and then passed the Tran Duy Hung - Thang Long Boulevard intersection.

1:58pm: The funeral procession carrying the coffin of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed through the streets of Hanoi.

1:46pm: The hearse started its engine, ready to leave the funeral house amidst the somber sound of horns. People lined up to form a path for the hearse to exit through the gate.

The procession began its journey from the National Funeral House, following the route: National Funeral House - Tran Thanh Tong - Le Thanh Tong - August Revolution Square - Trang Tien - Hang Khay - Trang Thi - Dien Bien Phu - Tran Phu - Kim Ma - Lieu Giai - Nguyen Chi Thanh - Tran Duy Hung - Thang Long Boulevard frontage road - Le Quang Dao - Le Duc Tho - Ho Tung Mau - Mai Dich Cemetery.

1:40pm: People lined the streets of Hanoi to bid farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Thousands of people lined both sides of Tran Duy Hung Street (Hanoi) to bid farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thoa (Trung Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi) could not hold back her tears.

She shared that upon hearing the news of the General Secretary's passing, she felt immense sorrow and wanted to be there to say goodbye.

1:35pm: President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Permanent member of the Party Secretariat Luong Cuong placed their hands on the coffin, alongside the honor guard, as they moved General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's remains to the hearse.

The coffin of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was transferred by Vietnam People's Army officers onto the hearse.

The coffin was then placed on the hearse to be transported to the burial site. The senior leaders stood solemnly in front of the hearse, waiting for the honor guard to complete the procedures.

1:30pm: The procession to transport General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's coffin to Mai Dich Cemetery began.

Vietnam People's Army officers and the ceremonial team are preparing the procedures for the procession. The officers carry the portrait and the frame holding the medals and decorations of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Following them, three honor guards carry the portrait, medals, and the national flag draped over the coffin out of the funeral home.

Behind them, twelve honor guards, divided into two rows, carry the coffin out to the courtyard of the funeral home, where the hearse is positioned.

1:18pm: After the eulogy, the General Secretary's son, on behalf of the family, expressed gratitude to the leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, various ministries, central and local organizations, leaders of other countries, and international friends.

On behalf of the family, Mr. Nguyen Trong Truong, son of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, delivered a response: "Our father, after a period of severe illness, despite the dedicated treatment from the Party, the State, leading professors, doctors, and the wholehearted care from the family, passed away at 1:38pm on July 19, 2024, at the 108 Central Military Hospital in Hanoi, at the age of 80.

The passing of our father has brought profound sorrow to the family, especially to our mother.

Since our father fell ill until his last moments, and throughout the funeral organization, our family has received immense support, sincere condolences, and heartfelt assistance from the Party, the State, central and local agencies and units, esteemed elders, uncles, aunts, siblings, the people across the country, our compatriots abroad, and international friends.

Our mother and the entire family wish to express our deepest, most sincere gratitude and respect.

At this moment, once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the leaders and former leaders of the Party and the State; leaders of other countries, international organizations, diplomatic missions, central and local agencies and organizations, distinguished delegates, elders, uncles, aunts, siblings, compatriots, and international friends who have come to pay respects and bid farewell to our father.

Our family thanks the central and local agencies, the 108 Central Military Hospital, and the National Funeral House for their thorough preparations during the funeral days.

We also thank the media for timely coverage of the funeral.

During the organization of the funeral, there were undoubtedly unavoidable shortcomings and inconveniences caused to the public; our family asks for your understanding and forgiveness.

Amidst the music of "Hon Tu Si" (Soul of the Martyrs), the family, along with the Party and State leaders, walked around General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's coffin. With hands clasped in prayer before the coffin, Madam Ngo Thi Man, his wife, broke into sobs.

1:05pm: As the national anthem concluded, President To Lam, Head of the Funeral Committee, stepped up to the podium to deliver the eulogy.

President To Lam stated: "Today, with profound emotion and immense 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, along with compatriots and soldiers nationwide, our compatriots abroad, international friends, and the family solemnly hold the memorial and farewell ceremony for Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong - an exceptional leader, a shining example of learning and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style, a steadfast communist party member with great prestige among our Party, State, and people, embodying the qualities, talents, courage, and intellect of the Vietnamese leadership generation during the period of renovation, to his final resting place.

The loss of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an immeasurable and irreplaceable loss to our Party, our nation, and our people. Our country has lost a talented leader; the communist and progressive movements worldwide have lost a sharp theorist; international friends have lost a sincere friend and close comrade; and his family, lineage, and hometown of Dong Hoi have lost an exemplary son."

"With nearly 60 years of persistent revolutionary activity, Professor, Doctor, and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, with his profound and sharp intellect, left behind a valuable system of thought and theory for our Party, people, and army regarding the revolutionary path of Vietnam in the new era.

Firmly and creatively applying Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, with the goals of national independence and socialism, theorist Nguyen Phu Trong, the flagbearer of the Party’s theory, clarified the theory of socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam, the role of the Communist Party, and the socialist-oriented market economy."

President To Lam affirmed that this invaluable legacy has reinforced a strong belief in the path to socialism, making a significant contribution to the development of the communist movement worldwide and the development of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought in the current era.

With a strategic vision of international situations in the contemporary world and relentless efforts to maintain and uphold a peaceful and stable environment in the region and globally, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong opened a new chapter in our country's relations with international partners, promoted friendship between Vietnam and other countries, and enhanced Vietnam’s contributions through various commitments and practical actions. He tightly combined national strength with the strength of the era, propelling our country forward vigorously.

"Inspiring intensely, leading the entire Party, people, and army with wisdom, high humanitarian and compassionate spirit, with strong will and determination, with the character and honor of a communist soldier wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland and the people, with the mindset that 'Honor is the most sacred and noble thing,' steadfast leader Nguyen Phu Trong continuously built our Party to be increasingly pure and strong, leading our country and people to successfully implement the renovation line," President To Lam emphasized.

President To Lam stated that throughout his revolutionary career, the work of building and rectifying the Party and political system held a particularly important position for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Creatively applying Ho Chi Minh's thoughts on Party building, the General Secretary delved into the nature of the Party, building a ruling Party from the practical renewal in Vietnam. From there, he, together with the Party Central Committee, planned and led the successful implementation of strategic policies on Party building and rectification; decisively and persistently fought against individualism, ideological, moral, and lifestyle degradation, and corruption and negativity within the Party. This arduous fight against "internal enemies" has made our Party increasingly pure and strong, affirming its pioneering role, bravery, and intellect, making our Party truly "moral and civilized."

Imbued with Ho Chi Minh's thought and deeply aware of the crucial role of culture - "Culture is the soul of the nation," "If culture remains, the nation remains" - the great cultural leader Nguyen Phu Trong dedicated much of his efforts and made significant contributions to building an advanced Vietnamese culture deeply imbued with national identity. He saw culture as the spiritual foundation of society, an intrinsic strength, and an important driving force for national development. Under his leadership, after more than 70 years, our Party organized a national conference on culture, a milestone that connected the thoughts and actions of the entire Party, people, and army, strongly promoting the role of culture in achieving the aspiration for a prosperous and happy country.

With a profound and sensitive political vision, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong elevated strategic thinking and created new developments in Vietnam's defense, security, and foreign affairs. He emphasized the principle of protecting the Fatherland early and from afar, maintaining peace before threats arise; always focusing on building a people's defense strategy, developing a revolutionary, elite, and strong people's armed forces, ensuring their purity and strength; and fostering unity between the military and the police, like "two wings of a bird" and "a sword and a shield," to jointly overcome difficulties and sacrifices, maintain peace and stability for national development.

He promoted the pioneering role of comprehensive diplomacy, effectively leading the new era of diplomatic art, deeply imbued with the essence of the "Vietnamese bamboo" spirit, based on the Vietnamese people's core values of "immutable principles to respond to myriad changes," "peacefulness," and "benevolence replacing violence." Under his guidance, Vietnam became a trusted partner, an active and responsible member of the international community, continually integrating deeply and comprehensively into international politics, the global economy, and human civilization.

President To Lam expressed that throughout his revolutionary career, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong persistently devoted himself to the cause of the Party and the nation with an unwavering spirit and determination, never retreating in the face of obstacles and difficulties; bringing all his responsibility, revolutionary enthusiasm, and dedication to work until his last breath, wholeheartedly for the Party, the country, and the people; affirming a great character who lived his entire life for the country, for the Party, and for the people.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was truly a exemplary model, a shining beacon of revolutionary moral fortitude, "impartiality and selflessness," a simple, honest, and sincere lifestyle, a democratic, dedicated, scientific, and decisive working style, always consistent between words and actions, respecting and loving people, deeply connected with the masses; a unifying force of the Party, the people, and the army's collective wisdom...

"We respectfully honor and deeply appreciate Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong's immense contributions and dedication to the cause of building, developing, and protecting Vietnam in the renovation period. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, the Party and State have awarded him the Gold Star Order, the highest honor; but above all, he forever belongs to the Fatherland and the people," President To Lam emphasized.

Bidding farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the leader who epitomized the virtues and character of the Party, an embodiment of peace, unity, and progress, the entire Party, people, and army pledge to fulfill his wishes, deeply inscribe his teachings, "If you are a person, be a communist," wholeheartedly serving the Fatherland, serving the people, and steadfastly following the path set by the Party, Uncle Ho, and previous generations.

1:00pm: At the National Funeral House, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Van Thu from the Hanoi Capital Command announced the commencement of the memorial service for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Permanent member of the Party Secretariat Luong Cuong, Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee, declared the beginning of the memorial service on behalf of the Funeral Committee.

The official announced that in the past few days, nearly 6,000 delegations representing central and local agencies, organizations, units, people's armed forces, intellectuals, religious dignitaries, various organizations, and individuals from within the country; nearly 100 international delegations; and nearly 200,000 compatriots and comrades have visited General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the National Funeral House at 5 Tran Thanh Tong (Hanoi), Thong Nhat Hall (Ho Chi Minh City), and in Dong Hoi Commune (Dong Anh, Hanoi).

Nearly 500,000 people, including citizens, officials, and armed forces personnel, have accessed the electronic condolence book to express their sympathies. Many leaders from various countries and international friends have visited and extended their condolences to the Party, State, people of Vietnam, and the family of the General Secretary.

"In this moment of infinite sorrow, at this sacred time, we gather here to bid farewell to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as he is laid to rest. The memorial service for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong begins now," declared the official.

After the brief announcement, the national anthem was played.

12.55pm

12:50pm: Navy officers stood in orderly rows, holding portraits of the General Secretary at the Trang Tien - Phan Chu Trinh intersection.

12pm: Soldiers from the Military Technical Academy stand by on Le Quang Dao Street.

11:50am: At Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, people pay their respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong before bidding their final farewell.

11:40am: At Mai Dich Cemetery, although there are still over three hours before the burial service for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, many people from various provinces had already gathered since 11:30am.

Security forces are performing their duties to ensure order. The entrance to Mai Dich Cemetery is closed, allowing only authorized personnel to enter and exit.

Many people stand across the street from the cemetery entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the funeral procession.

A large number of people arrived early, with attendees coming from Nam Dinh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, and other provinces. Everyone reminds each other to maintain order and not to disturb the personnel on duty.

11:30am: According to regulations, the ceremonial guard for the Memorial Service consists of 4 officers at the four corners of the coffin; 6 soldiers standing guard outside with rifles; 2 guards at the funeral home entrance; a National Flag team; a Military Flag team; an honor guard from three armed services (127 officers and soldiers), and a military band.

For the Funeral Service, there is 1 officer carrying the portrait, 1 officer carrying the medal pillow, and 1 officer wrapping the flag. The working team consists of 1 officer and 12 soldiers carrying the coffin; 7 soldiers preparing the hearse; and an honor guard from three armed services.

Vehicles for the Funeral Service prepared by the Ministry of Defense include: 1 command vehicle; 1 vehicle carrying the National Flag, portrait, and medal pillow; 1 vehicle carrying the Military Flag; 6 vehicles for the honor guard; 1 flower vehicle; 1 hearse tow vehicle (with a 122mm howitzer at the end); 1 backup vehicle; 2 communication vehicles, and 1 ambulance.

11:00am: Before the memorial service begins, honor guards assembled in formation in front of the National Funeral Hall. The funeral convoy, ceremonial vehicles, and the procession team were ready in the designated area.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the weather in Hanoi, where the memorial and burial services for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will take place, is generally favorable, with hot sun and possible showers or thunderstorms in some areas during the evening and night.

People should note the following road closures in effect from now until 2:30pm: Tang Bat Ho, Pham Dinh Ho (from Lo Duc to Tang Bat Ho), Nguyen Cong Tru (from Lo Duc to Tran Thanh Tong), Yec-Xanh, Tran Thanh Tong, Nguyen Huy Tu, Le Quy Don (from Nguyen Cao to Yec-Xanh), Nguyen Cao (from Le Quy Don to Nguyen Huy Tu), Hang Chuoi (from Han Thuyen to Nguyen Cong Tru), and Tran Khanh Du (from Tran Hung Dao to Le Quy Don).

From 2pm to 6pm, vehicles will be prohibited from traveling on Ho Tung Mau (from Le Duc Tho to Nguyen Co Thach).

Last night, the visitation at the National Funeral Hall was extended until midnight instead of the initially planned 10pm to accommodate the influx of mourners.

From early morning today (July 26), thousands of people have lined the streets around the venues holding memorial services for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, waiting for their turn to pay their respects.

According to the funeral organizing committee, the memorial service for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will take place at 1pm on July 26 at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi.

The burial service will be held at 3pm on the same day at Mai Dich Cemetery, Hanoi.

The memorial service will also be held simultaneously at the Reunification Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and in his hometown in Dong Hoi Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

The funeral organizing committee reported that from 7am to 7:30pm on July 25, 1,565 delegations (approximately 55,600 people) including Party and State leaders, representatives from ministries, departments, localities, units, armed forces, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and citizens, came to pay their respects and offer condolences to the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

VietNamNet