26-7-2024 (HANOI) Thousands of Vietnamese citizens queued for hours on Friday to pay their final respects to Nguyen Phu Trong, the late Communist Party general secretary who passed away last week at the age of 80. Trong, widely regarded as the most influential leader Vietnam has seen in decades, left an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape during his tenure from 2011 onwards.
The streets of Hanoi were awash with a sea of black-clad mourners, patiently waiting for their chance to bid farewell to the man who spearheaded a high-profile anti-corruption campaign that reverberated through the party, police, armed forces, and business sectors. The campaign’s far-reaching impact cemented Trong’s legacy as a transformative figure in modern Vietnamese politics.
At the Mai Dich cemetery, the final resting place for many of Vietnam’s senior leaders, preparations were underway for Trong’s burial scheduled for 3pm local time (4pm Singapore time). The sombre atmosphere was palpable as the nation prepared to lay to rest a leader who had become synonymous with Vietnam’s recent political trajectory.
One mourner, Tran Hoang Nguyet Mai, shared her experience with AFP, saying, “I spent more than four hours queueing last night. Luckily, I got into the funeral house to say farewell to a leader that I really respect. He was the last true communist that thought of no benefits for himself and his family.” Her words echoed the sentiments of many who viewed Trong as a principled leader dedicated to the communist ideals.
The scale of the national mourning was evident in the official figures released Friday morning. Authorities reported that since Thursday, an astounding 210,000 people had paid their respects at ceremonies held in Hanoi, southern Ho Chi Minh City, and Trong’s village on the outskirts of the capital. As a mark of respect, flags across the country flew at half-mast, while entertainment and sporting events were suspended during the mourning period.
Trong’s tenure was not without its challenges. His poor health had fuelled widespread speculation about his ability to remain in power until the 2026 party congress. Despite these concerns, he demonstrated remarkable longevity in office. However, his mandate coincided with what rights groups describe as an increase in authoritarianism in Vietnam.
The international community also acknowledged Trong’s passing, with US President Joe Biden praising him as “a champion of deep ties” between Vietnam and the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin added his voice to the tributes, hailing the Vietnamese leader as a “true friend of Russia”.
