President Tharman, SM Lee send condolence letters to Vietnam after death of former president

SINGAPORE - President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent condolence letters to Vietnam’s leaders on May 26, following the death of the country’s former president Tran Duc Luong.

Mr Luong died on May 20 at the age of 88 after an illness, reported Viet Nam News. He served as Vietnam’s president from 1997 to 2006.

“On behalf of the people of Singapore, I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of former president Tran Duc Luong,” President Tharman wrote to his counterpart, President Luong Cuong.

Mr Tharman noted that Mr Luong had “served his country with steadfast determination during a time of profound transformation for Vietnam”.

He added that the late Vietnamese leader had helped to steer his country in the aftermath of Doi Moi, or a series of market reforms in 1986, seeing Vietnam through the Asian financial crisis of 1997, and “its integration into Asean’s structures” after it became a full member in 1995.

“His contributions were immense, and will be remembered,” said Mr Tharman.

SM Lee wrote to Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, remembering his introductory visit to Vietnam in December 2004 where he met Mr Luong as then Prime Minister of Singapore.

“President Luong was a statesman who devoted his life to serving his country,” said SM Lee.

“Under his leadership, Vietnam advanced steadily along its reform path and deepened its engagement with Singapore and the rest of the region. He played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the enduring trust and friendship between our two countries. His legacy will be remembered.”