Global leaders honour his legacy in diplomacy and development following solemn funeral in Quang Ngai
HA NOI, Vietnam – Former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong passed away on the evening of 20 May at his residence in Ha Noi, aged 88, after a prolonged illness, the Specialised Council for Protection of Central-level Officials’ Health has confirmed.
Despite the devoted care provided by his family, along with the dedicated treatment of medical professionals under the supervision of the Party and State, the former President’s health could not be restored.
Born in the central province of Quang Ngai on 5 May 1937, Tran Duc Luong joined the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1959. He rose through the ranks, serving as Deputy Prime Minister from 1992 to 1997, before becoming the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a role he held from September 1997 to June 2006.
A solemn funeral ceremony was held on 25 May in his hometown of Dien Truong Village, Duc Pho Township, Quang Ngai Province. Senior Vietnamese leaders and foreign dignitaries attended the service to pay their final respects.
During his presidency, Tran Duc Luong played a vital role in strengthening Vietnam’s global partnerships and driving the country’s socio-economic development. His state visits abroad laid critical diplomatic foundations. Notably, his 1998 visit to Thailand was credited with boosting bilateral ties that would later evolve into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand acknowledged Luong’s contributions, noting, “His visit to Thailand in 1998 laid a foundation and paved the way for deeper bilateral cooperation.”
Similarly, during a 2004 visit to Mongolia, he signed a new agreement on friendship and cooperation, which Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh described as “a significant step forward in lifting the traditional friendship to a new height.”
Condolence messages have also come from the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Brunei, and Peru, highlighting the former President’s influence on international relations. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei called him “a close friend of Brunei and a respected leader who worked tirelessly for Vietnam’s prosperity.”
President Tran Duc Luong was recently awarded the 65-year Party membership badge in February 2025, in recognition of his long-standing service and commitment to the nation.
Source: Vietnam News Agency
