On Saturday [July 28], US Secretary of State Antony Blinken came to offer condolences to the family of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong who passed away 10 days ago at the age of 80.
| US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offers incense at the family of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on July 28. Photo: Antony Blinken's X |
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The US top diplomat offered incense to pay tribute to the late Party’s leader as a gesture in Vietnamese culture.
Accompanied by a delegation sent by President Joe Biden, Blinken conveyed the US President’s condolences to the late leader’s wife Ngo Thi Man and her family.
On X, Blinken wrote: “In Hanoi today, I paid my respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, mourning with thousands of others impacted by his passing. The United States has the utmost gratitude for his 13-year leadership of Vietnam and his commitment to shaping our US-Vietnam friendship.”
| General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's wife Ngo Thi Man and eldest son Nguyen Trong Truong host the US top diplomat. Photo: VNA |
On this occasion, Blinken stated that President Biden considered General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to be a friend and trusted partner.
The two nations’ friendship and relations were vigorously fostered and developed under his leadership and vision, rising to the highest level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that exists today.
In light of his noteworthy contributions to the historical collaboration between the two countries, Blinken reaffirmed that President Biden, the American government, and the American people would always cherish and remember his legacy.
| Antony Blinken consoles Ms. Ngo Thi Man. Photo: VNA |
Ngo Thi Man expressed her gratitude for the kind words directed at the Party General Secretary by the United States, President Biden, and Secretary Blinken.
She revealed that the General Secretary devoted his life to improving ties between the United States and Vietnam. Man sincerely thanked President Biden, his wife, and their family on this occasion and wished them well.
Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden in September 2023 declared to upgrade Vietnam-US relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – the highest designation in diplomatic relations that Vietnam sets up with its partners.
On the same day, State President To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted the reception for Blinken and thanked him for his condolences over the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
Blinken emphasized that the United States views Vietnam as a key partner in the region. He reiterated the United States' commitment to collaborating with Vietnam to fortify bilateral ties and augment collaboration in regional and global arenas concerning mutual issues.
This will aid in advancing discourse, tranquility, collaboration, and advancement in the area and globally, encompassing structures like the Mekong-US Partnership, ASEAN, APEC, and the UN, for peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world.
