Vietnam prepares for General Giap’s funeral
(VOV) - Preparations for an October 12-13 state funeral honouring General Vo Nguyen Giap have been completed. The national flag was flown at half-mast at State agencies and public works as of 12.00am on October 11.
At a tele-conference in Hanoi on October 10, the organising board of General Giap's funeral said it will create the best possible conditions for people to pay their last respects to the legendary general.
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| The organising board examined all plans to ensure security and safety for the funeral |
According to plan, the funeral service will begin at the national funeral house at 07.30am on October 12 and may last till 21.00pm the same day.
The memorial service will be held at around 08.00am the following morning.
A motorcade carrying General Giap’s coffin will leave the national funeral house shortly after the memorial service ends.
The convoy will travel through major streets in Hanoi, including the General’s house on Hoang Dieu Street, before heading for Noi Bai International Airport.
An ATR72 plane will transport the coffin from Noi Bai to Dong Hoi airport where another motorcade is ready to drive the coffin to Yen island in Quang Dong commune, Quang Trach district, Quang Binh province.
General Giap will rest in peace in Quang Binh province – his home town.
An Airbus A321 plane will transport the organising board of the funeral, General Giap’s family and other guests to Quang Binh for the burial ceremony.
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| A gun carriage will carry General Giap’s coffin to his resting place on Yen island, Quang Binh province |
A funeral rehearsal was conducted in Hanoi on October 10 by the Ministry of National Defence.
Together with hundreds of domestic reporters, 60 foreign correspondents have registered to give wide coverage of the event.
Twenty Vietnamese nationals residing overseas will pay last tribute to the General at the national funeral house.
More than 100,000 Vietnamese people, overseas Vietnamese and foreigners had paid tribute to General Giap at his house in Hanoi from October 6-10.
On October 10 alone, General Giap’s family received more than 40,000 mourners, many of whom were elderly people, war veterans, ethnic people, teachers, and children.