The ceremony was led by Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Lao PDR, and Sonexay Siphandone, Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and Prime Minister.
The ceremony was held in accordance with Lao traditions and Buddhist customs to dedicate merit and good deeds to the late Xaysomphone Phomvihane, who passed away at 11:18 a.m. on August 8, 2026, at the age of 70, following a severe vasculitis illness.
The ceremony began with a Buddhist sermon, followed by Party and State leaders and members of the public offering alms to Buddhist monks with reverence and devotion. The merit from the ceremony was dedicated to the late Xaysomphone Phomvihane in accordance with Buddhist beliefs.
The ceremony also reflected the preservation and continuation of the long-standing cultural, religious and traditional practices of the Lao nation, which have been passed down through generations.
The passing of Xaysomphone Phomvihane represents a great loss to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the State and the multi-ethnic Lao people. His death deprived the Party and State of a senior leader and important strategic figure who devoted many years to the revolutionary cause and national development.
His passing has brought profound grief and sorrow to the Party, State, family members, relatives, colleagues and friends, as well as the Lao people.