Top Vietnamese Leaders Pay Tribute to Fidel Castro

Hanoi, Nov 28 (Prensa Latina) Vietnam's top leaders have today paid tribute to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in the book of condolences which has been opened at the Cuban embassy in Vietnam.

Nguyen Phu Trong, Secretary-General of the Communist Party, began the tribute, followed some minutes later by President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.They asked ambassador Herminio Lopez to convey their regret and solidarity with Cuba on behalf of the Vietnamese people.

After giving their message, Phu Trong referred to Fidel Castro as a great leader of the international communist movement and recalled Fidel's words, 'For Vietnam we are willing to offer even our own blood.'

President Dai Quang considered Fidel a close friend, comrade and close brother and said that his work would always live in the revolutions of both peoples and the progressive forces of the world.

He also recalled some moments of his recent visit to Havana and said that meeting Fidel was an honor, stating that the image of the revolutionary fighter would always be in his heart.

An official delegation, led by Communist Party Political Bureau member and National Assembly President, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, is expected to attend the funeral of the leader of the Revolution.

According to reports, the homage which begun today at the Cuban embassy will be extended until December 4.