Laos Mourns Former National Assembly President; Party and State Leaders Pay Respects

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee held a floral tribute ceremony for the late Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, former President of the National Assembly. The ceremony provided an opportunity for Party and State leaders and people from across society to express their profound gratitude and deepest respect for his knowledge, experience, and efforts devoted to the revolutionary cause and the protection and development of the nation, particularly in legislative affairs and the work of the National Assembly. The first delegation to pay floral tribute was the Party Central Committee, led by Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Lao PDR. This was followed by the family of General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith; the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, led by Sounthone Xayachack, Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and Vice President of the National Assembly; and the Government delegation, led by Sonexay Siphandone, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and Prime Minister. The Phomvihane family was represented by Santiphap Phomvihane, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance. Following the Phomvihane family, a delegation from the Party Central Committee Office was led by Phet Phomphiphak, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee Office. Other delegations paying floral tributes included the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development, led by Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development. A delegation representing the family of Khamphan Phommathat, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Justice, also paid their respects. The Central Propaganda and Training Committee of the Party, led by Khamphan Pheuyavong, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Propaganda and Training Committee, as well as the Office of the Prime Minister, also laid floral wreaths. Throughout the ceremony, delegations from ministries, central agencies, organisations, offices, families of senior leaders, former Party and State leaders, businesses, companies, and other sectors took turns paying their respects and laying floral wreaths. The floral tribute ceremony formed part of the official mourning activities being held to honour the late senior Party and State leader and reflected the respect and appreciation of the Lao Party, State, and people for his longstanding contributions to the nation. Furthermore, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front have issued a special communiqué on the passing of Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane. President Thongloun Sisoulith also received a courtesy call from Tran Thanh Man, Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, and a high-level delegation. Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane was born on December 12, 1956, in Na Mao Village, Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province, and passed away on August 8, 2026, at the age of 70 due to vasculitis. The National Funeral Organizing Committee has announced a five-day period of national mourning to honour his memory.