Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi on Monday to write in the condolence book and pay last his respects to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Vietnamese leaders and people mourned the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a great friend of Vietnam, PM Chinh wrote in the condolence book.

“The passing of Mr. Shinzo Abe is not only a great loss to Japan but also to the international community, including Vietnam,” the prime minister wrote.

When Abe was prime minister, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan entered a new stage and developed rapidly.

Vietnam and Japan will together overcome this great pain and loss and further develop the bilateral ties for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, as well as for the strength and prosperity of each country, PM Chinh concluded his message.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, died on Friday at the age of 67.

He was shot in an apparent assassination attempt earlier the same day during a stump speech for Sunday's Upper House election.

The killing of the former leader shocked the nation and reverberated around the globe.

Abe visited Vietnam four times in November 2006, January 2013, January 2017, and November 2017 during his eight years as Japan's head of government.

People in Vietnam can write in the condolence book for former PM Abe at the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm on Monday and Tuesday, and at the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City from 10:00 am to 5:15 pm on Monday and from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm on Tuesday.

Souce: tuoitrenews.vn