Laos Announces Five-Day National Mourning for Former National Assembly President

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee announced the passing of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, a Politburo member of the Party Central Committee and former President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR, on August 8, 2026, at 11:18 AM, at the age of 70, due to vasculitis. Following this announcement, Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of the Lao PDR, Thongloun Sisoulith, declared a five-day national mourning period from August 8 to August 12, 2026. During this period, all Party and State organizations, the Lao Front for National Development, the Lao Veterans' Union, central mass organizations, local Party committees and administrative authorities, as well as Lao PDR representative offices abroad, are required to fly the national flag and Party flag at half-mast. Lao diplomatic and representative missions abroad are also instructed to prepare venues for the public to pay their respects and to open condolence books at their offices. In Vientiane Capital, a floral tribute ceremony will be held from August 9 to 11, with sessions from 08:30 to 12:00 in the morning and 14:00 to 17:00 in the afternoon. Ministries, central agencies, Vientiane Capital, provincial authorities, social organizations, grassroots units, members of the public, and relatives from across the country and abroad are requested to organize delegations to pay their respects and lay floral tributes according to the designated schedule. The national funeral ceremony will be held on the afternoon of August 12, beginning at 13:00, at the Pha That Luang Esplanade in Vientiane Capital. These measures are intended to provide the nation with an opportunity to express its profound gratitude and deepest respect for the late former senior Party and State leader. Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane was born on December 12, 1956, in Na Mao Village, Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province.