Mai Dich Cemetery before the burial of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Veteran Lai Thi Luan burst into tears as she shared her feelings for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong – Photo: DUONG LIEU

On the morning of July 26, at Mai Dich cemetery (Hanoi) - where the funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will take place at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, security forces and units are focusing on performing their tasks, ensuring absolute security.

Mai Dich cemetery gate is closed, not allowing anyone in or out, except for the forces on duty.

Very early, some people were present opposite Mai Dich cemetery waiting for the funeral of the General Secretary.

Although it was not yet time for the funeral, people were present from morning to go to Mai Dich cemetery - Photo: HA THANH

Having prepared enough food and more than a dozen bottles of water to wait in front of the cemetery, Ms. Nguyen Bich Luong (45 years old, from Phuc Tho) was one of the first people to arrive near the cemetery.

She said that this morning she planned to go to the National Funeral Home to pay her respects to the General Secretary, but she was afraid she would not be able to return to the cemetery in time for the funeral, so Ms. Luong decided to sit near the Mai Dich cemetery area.

Arriving early, she chose the most central seat, sincerely facing the front gate of the cemetery.

Ms. Luong and some residents reminded each other to sit behind the fence area, ensuring safety and order according to the arrangements of the security forces.

Sitting together in the park near Mai Dich cemetery, people from many provinces and cities such as Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Cao Bang... were present with the hope of seeing the General Secretary off on his final journey.

Chatting intimately, they told each other about the films and images of the General Secretary’s life and career, everyone’s eyes were red and tears kept flowing. “I’m sitting here waiting for the moment when I see the motorcade carrying the General Secretary pass by, I’m satisfied,” said one man.

Veteran Lai Thi Luan (60 years old, Hoang Dieu commune, Chuong My district) shared that at 2am, several women discussed going to the National Funeral Home to burn incense for the General Secretary, but were afraid of long lines and traffic jams, so everyone discussed standing at Mai Dich cemetery to see the General Secretary off for the last time.

“Our wish is to see him off today, to see him for the last time, to say goodbye to a person who was absolutely loyal to the revolution. We cannot be absent today,” said Ms. Luan.

Ms. Vuong Thi Dung (71 years old, from Cao Bang) chose a corner to stand quietly, looking towards the cemetery, still wearing a brace on her arm. Ms. Dung shared that after finishing treatment at Viet Duc Hospital, she initially planned to return home but decided to stay in Hanoi to attend the State funeral.

“I also wanted to go to the National Funeral Home to pay my respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, but my health did not allow me to, so I stayed here to see him off. That is the most sincere gesture that a citizen like me can make,” said Ms. Dung.

Engineers conduct inspections on the route to ensure absolute safety for the funeral of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - Photo: NAM TRAN

Currently on Le Duc Tho street, leading to Mai Dich cemetery, the engineering force is making efforts to inspect the road, ensuring absolute safety for the funeral.

Mai Dich Cemetery on the morning of July 26 – Photo: NAM TRAN

Many people stood in front of Mai Dich cemetery waiting for the funeral ceremony - Photo: NAM TRAN