Former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet died of serious illness on June 11 at the age of 86, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon mourned the death the same day.
In a special announcement issued on June 12, the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee said the death of former PM Kiet was a loss to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam.
Mr. Vo Van Kiet was a former Politburo member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, and used to work as an advisor to the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee. He was also a deputy of the seventh, eighth and ninth National Assembly.
He had received the Sao Vang (Golden Star) Order, the State’s highest distinction, for his immense contributions to the Vietnamese revolution in the past 70 years.
A State funeral will be held to honor former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet.
Mourning services for the former PM will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi and his home province of Vinh Long on June 14 and 15.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued by his press office, said he “has learned with profound sadness” that Mr. Vo Van Kiet passed away.
“As a major force behind the economic reforms in Viet Nam that started in the late 1980s, Mr. Vo Van Kiet paved the way for the country’s transition from poverty to a decade of impressive economic growth,” Mr. Ban said.
“During his time as the Prime Minister from 1991 to 1997, he also played a pivotal role in improving Viet Nam’s diplomatic relations with other countries," the UN chief noted.
The UN Secretary General expressed “his heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Vo Van Kiet, and to the people and the government of Viet Nam.”
