Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh leads a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State to attend the memorial service for comrade Khamtay Siphandone. Photo: VOV

The Vietnamese Prime Minister also had meetings with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

At the meetings, on behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, PM Chinh extended his deep and sincere condolences to the Lao Party, State, people, and the bereaved.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people deeply value and remember the role and contributions of the former Lao Party and State leader, who played a vital role in building, nurturing, and developing the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

The Lao leaders showed deep emotion at the condolences extended by the Vietnamese Party, State, and people over the passing of comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

They also expressed profound gratitude for Vietnam’s first delegation, a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State led by Party General Secretary To Lam paying their respects, and the high-ranking delegation of the Government led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attending memorial service, as well as Vietnam's decision to hold a national mourning for the former leader. This is a vivid demonstration of the rare special and loyal solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, they said.