National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh said Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of the Lao National Assembly, passed away on August 8 at the age of 70.

He was a key leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party who made significant contributions to Laos' revolutionary cause as well as the country's development and nation-building efforts.

Thanh said Xaysomphone Phomvihane played an important role in preserving, nurturing and advancing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

“His passing is a great loss to Laos and to Vietnam-Laos relations,” she said.

To mourn Xaysomphone Phomvihane and in recognition of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, National Assembly, State President, Government and Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee decided to observe two days of national mourning for the Lao National Assembly President on August 10-11.

National Assembly deputies then observed a minute of silence in his memory.

Earlier, General Secretary and State President To Lam sent a message of condolences to Lao General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung sent a message of condolences to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, while Tran Cam Tu, Permanent Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Secretariat, sent condolences to Vilay Lakhamphong, Permanent Member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee's Secretariat.

On the afternoon of August 9, a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State led by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man paid tribute to Xaysomphone Phomvihane and signed the condolence book.

Delegations from Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Public Security also paid tribute to the late Lao National Assembly President.

In a solemn and emotional atmosphere, the Vietnamese delegations laid wreaths and observed a minute of silence in memory of Xaysomphone Phomvihane. They extended their deepest condolences to the leaders of the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and Government, the Lao people, and Xaysomphone Phomvihane's family.