HANOI, Vietnam (AP)

— Thousands of mourners gathered in Hanoi on Friday to pay their respects to Nguyen Phu Trong, the influential Communist Party general secretary who passed away at the age of 80. His death has initiated a succession struggle within the party, which is expected to intensify leading up to the National Party Congress in 2026. Notable attendees at the funeral included South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Chinese Communist Party leader Wang Huning, and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, highlighting Trong's significant international relationships. U.S. President Joe Biden praised Trong as a "champion of the deep ties" between the U.S. and Vietnam, while Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged his contributions to strengthening Russia-Vietnam relations. Trong, who studied in the Soviet Union, was the first Vietnamese Communist Party chief to visit the White House and was known for his pragmatic foreign policy approach, termed "bamboo diplomacy," which emphasized flexibility in navigating geopolitical challenges. Under Trong's leadership, Vietnam maintained a delicate balance in its foreign relations, fostering cooperation with China while also engaging with the U.S., Japan, and India. Gregory B. Poling from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that this approach is likely to continue despite the leadership transition. Trong was also recognized for his vigorous anti-corruption campaign, dubbed the "blazing furnace," which targeted corruption within the party and led to the ousting of numerous officials, including former presidents. The future of this anti-corruption movement remains uncertain in the wake of his passing, as Lam is expected to serve as both President and caretaker party chief until 2026.