Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong with the people of Thuong Dien village, Vinh Quang commune, Vinh Bao district during the Great National Solidarity Festival of Hai Phong city on November 15, 2017. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Y Dhun Hmok, a village elder from Dur 1 village, fondly remembers General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's kind gestures when he visited and attended the Ethnic Solidarity Festival in Dur Kmăl commune, Krong Ana district, Dak Lak province, at the end of 2018.

He said: “The Party leader urged people to focus on production to improve their lives and wished that children would be educated. Now that people have enough to eat, enough to wear, and their children are educated. The village has changed. The villagers are very grateful for the Party leader’s deep affection for the people."

Overseas Vietnamese in many European countries expressed their respect and sadness at the passing of the great national personality.

Ms. Phan Bich Thien, President of the Vietnamese Women's Association in Hungary, said: "We are very sad.  It is a huge loss for the country and for the Vietnamese people. The contributions that the General Secretary made to the country are extremely valuable. He was a shining example of human morality as a leader, as a party member, and as a citizen. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was an exceptionally close, open person who cared for everyone, yet he was also a profound leader, both thoughtful and capable."

Professor Qing Hanping, Director of the Vietnam Research Center of Zhejiang Industrial University, China, highlighted that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was awarded the Friendship Order in 2022, demonstrating his significant contributions to Vietnam-China relations. This is the highest honor for foreign leaders awarded by the Chinese state.

He said: "General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is one of the very few foreign leaders to receive the Friendship Order. This is a very high recognition for him. To the Chinese people, we hold General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in high regard and believe that he was an important leader of Vietnam, playing a key role in promoting long-term friendship with China over many years,"

In Japan, many press agencies have reported on General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing, emphasizing his substantial contributions to strengthening the Vietnam-Japan friendship.