The Hanoi People’s Committee has announced that all public entertainment in the city will be suspended during the national mourning period for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on July 25 and 26.

Flags will be flown at half-mast and tied with a black ribbon for two days of national mourning.  

When the flag is flown at half-mast, it must be raised two-thirds of the way up the flagpole and secured with a black ribbon to prevent it from flying off. The length of the black ribbon should be ten times the width of the flag.

However, in many parts of Vietnam, many establishments and civilians lowered the national flag as a mark of respect for the late leader upon learning of his passing. Meanwhile, banners and LED screens read: “Deepest sorrow on the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.”

In a special communiqué released on July 20, a mourning chapel will be set up at the National Funeral Hall at No.5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi for delegations and people to pay their respects to the Party’s leader.

The funeral will be open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 25, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 26. A memorial service is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on July 26. He will be laid to rest that same day at 3 p.m. at the Mai Dich Cemetery for senior leaders.

Vietnam has set up a 35-member State Funeral Committee headed by President To Lam for the organization of the funeral.

In a life of 80 years and a career spanning 60 years, Nguyen Phu Trong made “numerous significant, outstanding contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the people,” read the special communiqué.

The Communist Party bestowed upon him the Gold Star Order, a 55-year Party membership badge. He has also received various international awards, including the National Gold Medal from Laos, the Friendship Medal from China, the Lenin Award from Russia, and the Jose Marti Badge from Cuba. 

On this occasion, public places, buildings, and civilians pay respects to the Party's leader through the flag half-mast. Let's explore it with Huy Pham from The Hanoi Times.