Mr Sophon Saram leads his delegation in laying a wreath in tribute to Mr Xaysomphone on Tuesday. --Photos Sangkhomsay

Foreign diplomats, Lao embassies pay tribute to Xaysomphone

Foreign embassies, diplomatic missions in Laos and Lao embassies abroad have joined in a growing wave of tributes being paid to National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane, following his death on August 8, with numerous countries and international organisations expressing condolences and honouring his years of service to Laos.
Among other foreign legislative leaders, the President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Khuon Sudary, accompanied by a high-level Cambodian delegation, on Tuesday laid a wreath and paid tribute to Mr Xaysomphone at the National Convention Hall in Vientiane, where the National Assembly President is being honoured during a period of national mourning.

Mr Sophon Saram greets Party leaders and members of the Phomvihane family, while leading a Thai delegation to place a wreath and sign a book of condolence to mourn the passing of Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane.

The Cambodian delegation’s tribute expressed the deep respect and condolences of the Party, State and people of Cambodia, while reaffirming the close friendship, solidarity and longstanding bonds between Laos and Cambodia.
Additionally, the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Mr Sophon Saram, led a delegation to pay tribute to Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, laying a wreath and signing a book of condolence.
A representative of the Royal Thai Embassy in Laos also brought a royally bestowed wreath from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as a tribute to Mr Xaysomphone.
Vietnam was among the first countries to respond to the news of Mr Xaysomphone’s death, declaring two days of national mourning on August 10-11.
Government offices and agencies across Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, flew their national flags at half-mast and suspended all forms of public entertainment as a mark of respect.
Th government of Belarus also extended condolences, with President Aleksandr Lukashenko writing to President Thongloun Sisoulith to mourn the passing of Mr Xaysomphone, describing him as a devoted son of Laos who dedicated his life to his home-land.
Thailand conveyed condolences through the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, while the US Embassy in Laos also expressed sympathy to Mr Xaysomphone’s family, friends and the people of Laos.

President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Khuon Sudary, accompanied by a high-level Cambodian delegation, pays tribute to Mr Xaysomphone at the National Convention Hall in Vientiane.

The United Nations in Laos extended condolences to Mr Xaysomphone’s family, the Lao government and people, and paid tribute to his contributions and years of public service.
The European Union in Laos likewise conveyed sympathy to the Phomvihane family, the National Assembly and the Lao people, expressing deep respect for Mr Xaysomphone’s years of dedication and service to Laos.
In addition, representatives from more than 30 foreign embassies and international organisations operating in Laos paid tribute to Mr Xaysomphone and extended their condolences to his family.
Lao diplomatic missions abroad have also held commemorative activities to honour the late National Assembly President.
In Beijing, the Lao Embassy to China held a memorial ceremony on August 10, led by the Ambassador of Laos to China, Mr Somphone Silachaleun, and attended by embassy staff and other Lao nationals living in China.
Other Lao diplomatic missions and foreign representations have similarly conveyed condolences and observed mourning activities.
Mr Xaysomphone, a member of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of the National Assembly, died on August 8 at the age of 70 from severe inflammatory vascular disease (vasculitis), according to the Party Central Committee.
The government and the Lao Front for National Development have declared five days of national mourning from August 8-12. During this period, official mourning ceremonies are being held at the National Convention Hall in Vientiane.
Mr Xaysomphone’s cremation will take place today (August 12) at the That Luang esplanade in Vientiane.
The nationwide mourning has brought people together to honour a leader who devoted decades of his life to his country, with tributes from home and abroad reflecting the deep respect felt for Mr Xaysomphone and the profound sense of loss following his passing.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 12, 2026)