Laos Announces Five-Day National Mourning for Former National Assembly President

Vientiane: The National Funeral Organizing Committee has announced a five-day period of national mourning to honour the memory of Xaysomphone Phomvihane, former Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and former President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR. According to Lao News Agency, the national mourning period will run from August 8 to August 12, 2026. During this period, all celebratory events, sports and arts competitions, and entertainment activities of all kinds are to be suspended. All Party and State organisations, the Lao Front for National Development, the Lao Veterans' Union, central mass organisations, local Party committees and administrative authorities, as well as Lao PDR representative offices abroad, are required to fly the national flag and Party flag at half-mast throughout the mourning period. Lao diplomatic and representative missions abroad are also instructed to prepare venues for members of the public to pay their respects and to open condolence books at thei r offices. In Vientiane Capital, a floral tribute ceremony will be held from August 9 to 11, with sessions from 08:30 to 12:00 in the morning and 14:00 to 17:00 in the afternoon. Ministries, central agencies, Vientiane Capital, provincial authorities, social organisations, grassroots units, members of the public, and relatives from across the country and abroad are requested to organise delegations to pay their respects and lay floral tributes according to the designated schedule. The national funeral ceremony will be held on the afternoon of August 12, beginning at 13:00, at the Pha That Luang Esplanade in Vientiane Capital. The measures are intended to provide the nation with an opportunity to express its profound gratitude and deepest respect for the late former senior Party and State leader.