HANOI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will hold a day of national mourning for Fidel Castro on Dec. 4 to express condolences and gratitude to the revolutionary leader of Cuba, who died late Friday at the age of 90.
The decision was made on Monday by the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), the National Assembly (NA), the president, the government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee based on the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, said a statement by Vietnamese foreign ministry.
Also on Monday, CPVCC General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and many senior officials paid tribute to Castro at the Cuban embassy in capital Hanoi.
Mourning the loss with Cuban ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz, Trong conveyed deepest sympathy to the party, state and people of Cuba and the leader's family.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang wrote on the book of condolences that "Fidel Castro is a great and close friend, a comrade and brother of Party, State leaders and people of Vietnam during the past 50 years."
"The burning passion and great courage of the revolutionary leader left a strong impression on those who had the honor to meet him, including me", Quang wrote.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wrote "The life and revolutionary career of leader Fidel Castro is a great symbol of the spirit of resilient and brave struggle for national independence and freedom of Cuba as well as the liberation movement and struggle against imperialist and racial discrimination for peace and justice in the world."
The Cuban embassy's book of condolences commemorating Castro will remain open til Dec. 4.
