King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has sent his condolences to Vietnam’s Deputy President HE Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh after the death of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tran Dai Quang on 21 September 2018.
In his condolence message released by the Royal Court of Sweden, His Majesty stated, “I have learned with profound regret and sadness of the demise of President Tran Dai Quang.
“I extend my sincere condolences to Your Excellency and to the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
Trần Đại Quan was confirmed as the eighth President of Vietnam on 2 April 2016 by the National Assembly of Vietnam.
He was born on 12 October 1956 in Ninh Bình Province, in what was North Vietnam. The 61-year-old President was married to Nguyễn Thị Hiền. He died in office on 21 September 2018 in Hanoi from a rare viral disease. The President had reportedly been suffering from a serious illness for several months and had received treatment abroad.
Vietnam will honour Trần Đại Quan with a state funeral and national mourning for a week. The funeral will take place for two days and will begin tomorrow. He is to be buried in his home village in northern Ninh Binh province.
Since the death of Tran Dai Quang, Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh has been Acting President of Vietnam. She is the first woman to become Acting President or President of Vietnam in Vietnamese history. Before ascending the presidency, Her Excellency was Vietnam’s Vice President. Additionally, she is the first female head of state in a communist country since East Germany’s Sabine Bergmann-Pohl served as the President of East Germany from 5 April 1990 – 2 October 1990.
Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh will serve as Acting President of Vietnam until the Central Committee of the Communist Party selects a replacement who will then be confirmed in the National Assembly.