HANOI, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will observe two days of national mourning for Laos' National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane from Monday to Tuesday to express profound grief over his passing, the Vietnam News Agency reported Sunday.
The decision was announced in a special communiqué issued by the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, the National Assembly, the state president, the government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, said the report.
According to the communiqué, offices and agencies nationwide, as well as Vietnamese representative missions abroad, shall fly flags at half-mast with mourning ribbons as prescribed.
Public entertainment and recreational activities shall be suspended during the period, the report added.
Xaysomphone passed away on Saturday at the age of 70. ■