Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc, on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, paid last respects to former US President George H.W. Bush, in the Capitol Rotunda, Washington DC, on December 3 (local time).

The casket of former US President George H.W.Bush lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda, Washington DC

Also on December 3, the diplomat visited the US Department of State to leave a note on the condolence book for Bush.

He wrote that the Vietnamese Government and people are in grief over the passing of the 41st US President. He extended the Vietnamese Government and people’s deepest condolence to the US Government and people, particularly to Bush’s family.

The diplomat also praised the former President’s long-term strategic vision and strong leadership, which had helped to lay a firm foundation for the normalization of the two countries’ relations and later friendship and cooperation. Vietnamese people always remember Bush’s visit to Vietnam in 1995 after the two countries established their diplomatic relations, he wrote.

George H.W. Bush died at his house in Houston on November 30. He was 94 years old.-VNA