MFA Press Statement: Condolence letters on the passing of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang, 21 September 2018

President Halimah Yacob has written to Acting President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has written to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, to convey their condolences on the passing of Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang on 21 September 2018. Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean has also written to Madam Nguyen Thi Hien, the spouse of President Tran Dai Quang, to offer condolences.

The text of the letters is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

22 SEPTEMBER 2018

Letter from President Halimah Yacob to Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh

22 September 2018

Her Excellency Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh

Acting President

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the people of Singapore, I express my deepest condolences to Your Excellency and the people of Vietnam on the passing of President Tran Dai Quang.

Through his many years of public service, President Quang played a key role in promoting Vietnam’s rapid development and in strengthening Vietnam’s standing in the region and the world. President Quang also made many invaluable contributions to growing the close relations between Singapore and Vietnam.

Please accept my sincere and deepest condolences during this time of sorrow.

Yours sincerely,

HALIMAH YACOB

Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

22 September 2018

Dear Prime Minister Phuc,

               On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the passing of President Tran Dai Quang. 

               President Quang played a key role in raising Vietnam’s profile on the international stage. He encouraged countries to continue to pursue economic integration and trade liberalisation amidst rising protectionist sentiments globally. In particular, President Quang capably and successfully steered Vietnam through its Chairmanship of APEC in 2017. I also recall the warm hospitality President Quang had accorded to me at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Danang last November.

               With President Quang’s support, the strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam continues to deepen, and our two countries remain close partners in the region and international fora. President Quang will be greatly missed.

               Please accept my sincere and deepest condolences.

With my deepest sympathies,

LEE HSIEN LOONG    

His Excellency Nguyen Xuan Phuc

Prime Minister

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean to Madam Nguyen Thi Hien

22 September 2018

Madam Nguyen Thi Hien

Spouse of President Tran Dai Quang

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Dear Madam Hien,

          I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Excellency Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

          President Quang was highly respected for his numerous contributions to the development of Vietnam, and for raising Vietnam’s standing in the region and the world. He was a true friend of Singapore and a strong supporter of Singapore and Vietnam ties. During our last meeting in Hanoi in September 2016, I recall sharing many ideas on improving our bilateral relations and our two countries partnering each other to address various global and regional challenges.

          I have had the honour and pleasure of meeting President Quang on many occasions over the years and I always enjoyed my discussions with him. Most of all, I remember with great fondness my visit to President Quang’s hometown of Ninh Binh in 2012 and the warm hospitality he personally extended to me.

          I share Vietnam’s sorrow at the loss of a great leader. I will miss the camaraderie and friendship I shared with President Quang. Poh Yim’s and my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time of grief and sorrow.

With deepest condolences,

TEO CHEE HEAN

Letter from Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh

22 September 2018

His Excellency Pham Binh Minh

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Your Excellency,

I am very sorry to learn of the passing of His Excellency Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

President Quang was a well-respected statesman who worked tirelessly to advance Vietnam’s relations with various countries and to boost Vietnam’s profile on the international stage. His longstanding commitment to public service has also helped better the lives of the Vietnamese people. President Quang was a good friend of Singapore, contributing significantly to the close strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this period of national mourning and grief.

Yours sincerely,

DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN