A solemn funeral ceremony was held for former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Tran Phuong.

Photo caption — Delegation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam pays respects. Photo: Tuan Anh/TTXVN

On the morning of October 24th, at the National Funeral Home (5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi), the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam , the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the family solemnly held the memorial service and funeral ceremony for Comrade Tran Phuong, former alternate member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, 4th term; member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, 5th term; Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Deputy Prime Minister); Minister of Internal Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade); Vice Chairman of the State Planning Committee; and National Assembly delegate, 7th term, according to the State funeral protocol.

A delegation from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Committee, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Do Van Chien, paid their respects to former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Tran Phuong and offered condolences to his family.

The Government delegation, led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and the National Assembly delegation, led by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai, paid their respects to former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Tran Phuong.

Delegations from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, led by General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Deputy Minister of National Defence; and the Central Party Committee of the Public Security Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, led by Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Standing Member of the Central Party Committee of the Public Security Ministry and Deputy Minister of Public Security, paid their respects to former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers Tran Phuong.

Expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Comrade Tran Phuong, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Party, Politburo member, Secretary of the Central Committee, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Do Van Chien, wrote in the condolence book: "We deeply mourn the passing of Comrade Tran Phuong, former member of the Central Committee of the Party, former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Deputy Prime Minister). We express our gratitude for his contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party. At 98 years old, with 80 years of Party membership, he devoted himself to building and defending the Fatherland and serving the people. He was a shining example for us to follow... We offer our deepest condolences to his family and hope they will soon overcome this great loss. Farewell, Comrade. We pledge to continue on the path that the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and you, in particular, chose, working together to build a prosperous, strong, and happy country."

Writing in the condolence book to express his sorrow over the passing of Comrade Tran Phuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed: Comrade Tran Phuong (birth name Vu Van Dung) was a staunch communist party member, a shining example of self-improvement and striving. Throughout his career, holding many important positions, he was always deeply concerned, attentive, decisive in his actions, and dedicated his intellect, passion, and creativity; he dared to think, dared to speak, dared to act, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the revolutionary cause of the Party, the State, and our people. He left many profound imprints in each position he held; he was trusted, loved, and respected by his comrades, colleagues, and the people! The passing of Comrade Tran Phuong is a great loss to the Party, the State, and our people, leaving a deep sense of sorrow for all of us. The Government and the Prime Minister extend their deepest condolences to the family of Comrade Tran Phuong! We respectfully bow our heads in farewell to Comrade Tran Phuong, who dedicated his entire life to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Reading the eulogy at the funeral ceremony, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Head of the Funeral Committee, emphasized: Comrade Tran Phuong, former member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, former Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Deputy Prime Minister), a staunch revolutionary fighter, a veteran Party member, a diligent leader, dedicated his entire life to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. His passing is a great loss to the Party, the State, the people, and his family.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh stated: Comrade Tran Phuong (birth name: Vu Van Dung), born on November 1, 1927, in Xuan Duc commune, My Hao district, Hung Yen province (now Duong Hao ward, Hung Yen province), a land rich in historical, cultural and revolutionary traditions; residing at house number 28, Tang Bat Ho street, Hai Ba Trung ward, Hanoi city.

He joined the September 1943 Revolution and the Communist Party of Vietnam in September 1945. From his youth, he actively participated in the patriotic student movement against French colonialism. During the August Revolution of 1945, at the age of 18, he was a member of the Viet Minh Committee, organizing the uprising in My Hao district; subsequently, he successively held the positions of Chairman of the District Resistance Committee and Deputy Secretary of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee.

Over 80 years of activity, training, and dedication, Comrade Tran Phuong has worked in many fields, from propaganda, information, and theoretical training to research and economic policy planning. He was entrusted by the Party and State with many important positions: Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of Inter-Region 3, Director of the Information Department of Inter-Region 3; Standing Committee Member, Deputy Secretary of the Hai Phong City Party Committee, concurrently Vice Chairman of the Resistance and Administrative Committee; Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Training Department of the Left Bank Regional Party Committee, and Editor-in-Chief of the Left Bank National Salvation Newspaper. After 1954, he was sent to study theory at the Marx-Lenin Academy (Beijing, China); upon returning to Vietnam, he held the position of Deputy Director of the Voice of Vietnam Radio; from 1959 to 1976, he was Director of the Institute of Economics, concurrently Chairman of the Vietnam Economic Science Association, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Social Science Committee, and Deputy Minister of Internal Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade). At the Fourth National Congress of the Party (December 1976), he was elected as an alternate member of the Central Committee of the Party.

In 1980, he served as Minister of Internal Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade), Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Committee; and was awarded the academic title of Professor of Economics. In January 1981, he was appointed Minister of Internal Trade (now the Ministry of Industry and Trade).

At the 5th National Congress of the Party (March 1982), he was elected to the Central Committee of the Party and assigned to the position of Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Deputy Prime Minister). In February 1986, he relinquished his position as Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers and was transferred to the position of Vice Chairman of the State Planning Committee, concurrently serving as Director of the Institute for Long-Term Planning and Production Force Allocation. In August 1992, Comrade Tran Phuong retired from his position and received benefits and entitlements as prescribed by law.

Comrade Tran Phuong served as Chairman of the Vietnam Economic Science Association continuously for over 45 years (from 1975 to 2021). After retirement, Comrade Tran Phuong founded and became the Rector of Hanoi University of Business and Technology.

Throughout his career, Comrade Tran Phuong consistently demonstrated unwavering political acumen, innovative thinking, and strategic vision; steadfast commitment to the goals of national independence and socialism; creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought; loyalty to the Party's platform and policies, and national interests; foresight, decisiveness, composure, caution, dedication, and intelligence. He always pondered and proposed solutions to lead and guide the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, and to improve the material and spiritual lives of the people, always placing the interests of the Party, the people, and the nation above all else.

Comrade always upheld a high sense of responsibility, organizational awareness, and exemplary conduct, maintaining unity and solidarity within the Party; he had a democratic and scientific working style, an exemplary lifestyle, and was respected and loved by his comrades, fellow citizens, and international friends.

Within his family, Comrade Tran Phuong was an exemplary husband, father, and grandfather, full of love and virtue.

At 98 years old, with 80 years of Party membership and over 80 years of revolutionary activity, Comrade Tran Phuong has continuously strived to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party, the nation, and the happiness of the people. Regardless of his position, from a revolutionary fighter in the August Revolution to a scientist and high-ranking economic manager of the Party and State, Comrade Tran Phuong always excelled in his duties, serving as a shining example of revolutionary ethics, selflessness, and lifelong dedication to the country and its people.

In recognition of Comrade Tran Phuong's immense contributions, the Party and State of Vietnam awarded him the Ho Chi Minh Order, the 80-Year Party Membership Badge, and many other prestigious orders, medals, awards, and titles.

* The memorial service for Comrade Tran Phuong will be held at 12:00 PM on October 24, 2025, at the National Funeral Home, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi. The burial will take place in the afternoon of the same day at the family cemetery in Xuan Duc commune, My Hao district, Hung Yen province (now Duong Hao ward, Hung Yen province).