HANOI (AFP) – Thousands of black-clad mourners including top Vietnamese officials gathered yesterday in Hanoi for the funeral of Communist party leader Nguyen Phu Trong as two days of national mourning began.
The 80-year-old, who died at a military hospital in the capital Hanoi last week “due to old age and serious illness”, was the most powerful leader the country had seen in decades.
Trong, who had led the party since 2011, was the first leader to have held three consecutive mandates in the role, after the liberalisation of the country’s economy in 1986.
He was known for a high-profile anti-corruption drive that swept through the party, police, armed forces and business, which analysts said has been linked to political infighting.
Alongside bouquets of yellow flowers and burning incense, Trong’s flag-draped coffin was laid beneath a large portrait of the leader and dozens of his medals at the National Funeral House in central Hanoi.
Wearing black and white headbands, Trong’s family greeted the mourners, having requested no customary cash envelopes or flowers be given at the funeral.
All flags across the country flew at half mast, while entertainment and sporting events have been suspended during the mourning period.
Smaller remembrance ceremonies also started yesterday morning for Trong in the southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City and in his village in Dong Anh district on the outskirts of Hanoi.
“The general secretary’s death is an irreparable loss for the party, the state, the people and his family,” said politburo member Luong Cuong as the funeral started.
The country’s top party officials led tributes, including President To Lam, who was handed the reins of power a day before Trong’s death was announced.
