Saysomphone Phomvihane, a member of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) passed away on August 8 at the age of 69.
On August 11, Chinese Ambassador to the LPDR Fang Hong conveyed a condolence message from Zhao Leji, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), to the National Assembly of the LPDR.
In his message, Comrade Zhao Leji said that Comrade Saysomphone Phomvihane had devoted his life to the Lao revolutionary cause and made valuable contributions to advancing the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.
The message reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship between China and Laos. China stands ready to work with Laos to fully implement the important strategic consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and advance China-Laos relations and the respective socialist causes of the two countries.
Saysomphone Phomvihane was the son of President Kaysone Phomvihane, the leader of the Lao revolution.
At the age of six, he left his family to pursue his primary and secondary education in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China. He eventually gained a doctorate in the former Soviet Union.
A state funeral was held in the capital Vientiane on August 12.
In his eulogy, Lao party and state leader Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted Saysomphone’s extensive knowledge and capabilities across various fields, broad vision and firm political convictions. He was also remembered for his revolutionary ethics, strong sense of responsibility, patriotic spirit, selflessness and unwavering loyalty to the Party, the nation and the people.
Throughout his decades of public service, Saysomphone remained committed to the Party’s ideals and was noted for his perseverance, prudence and ability to respond effectively to the responsibilities entrusted to him. His experience across different areas of work enabled him to make practical contributions in each position he held.
Saysomphone devoted his life to the cause of protecting and developing the country, consistently placing the interests of the Party, the nation and the people above personal interests. He was also remembered for his modest and frugal lifestyle and his close ties with the people. He was described as sincere toward his comrades, generous toward those around him, firm on matters of principle and disciplined in his work. These qualities earned him the respect and trust of his colleagues, the Lao people of all ethnic groups and international friends.
Among the international delegations present was a high-level delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, led by Tran Cam Tu, Politburo Member and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee.
A memorial meeting was also held in the Lao Embassy in Beijing on August 10.
The following articles were originally published by the KPL Lao News Agency.
Chinese Ambassador Conveys Condolences Over Passing of Xaysomphone Phomvihane
August 12 (KPL) – Chinese Ambassador to the Lao PDR Fang Hong conveyed a condolence message from Comrade Zhao Leji, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, to the National Assembly of the Lao PDR on August 11, following the passing of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane was Member of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR. He passed away on August 8, 2026.
Ambassador Fang expressed profound sorrow over his passing and conveyed sincere condolences to the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and the Phomvihane family on behalf of the Chinese side.
In his message, Comrade Zhao Leji said that Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane had devoted his life to the Lao revolutionary cause and made valuable contributions to advancing the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.
The message reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship between China and Laos. China stands ready to work with Laos to fully implement the important strategic consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and advance China-Laos relations and the respective socialist causes of the two countries.
Also on August 11, Ambassador Fang attended a memorial ceremony in Vientiane and conveyed his sincere condolences to members of the family of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Brief Biography of Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane
August 9 (KPL) – Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, former Member of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and former President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR, was born on December 12, 1956, in Na Mao Village, Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province.
He was the son of President Kaysone Phomvihane and Mrs. Thongvin Phomvihane, and came from a family of revolutionary cadres. He was one of five brothers. He was married to Dr. Viphavan Phomvihane, and they had two children, one son and one daughter.
At the age of six, he left his family to pursue his primary and secondary education in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China. He subsequently pursued higher education and a career in Party and State affairs, serving in a number of important positions at provincial and central levels.
Education and Early Career
1962–1970: Studied at Bac Giang School in Vietnam and Nanning School in Guangxi Province, China.
1970–1973: Attended a higher education preparatory school in Ha Bac, Vietnam.
1974–1976: Studied at the Military School in Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province.
1977–1983: Studied at Moscow State University in the Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation.
1983–1984: Served as a lecturer at the National Institute of Politics and Public Administration in Vientiane Capital.
1984–1987: Conducted research and successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in Political Economy at the Academy of Social Sciences of the Soviet Union in Moscow.
Career in Party and State Affairs
1987–1989: Worked at the Savannakhet Provincial Office.
1989–1991: Served as Deputy Governor of Savannakhet Province and Head of the Department of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations.
1991–1993: Member of the Party Central Committee (5th term); Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Deputy Governor of Savannakhet Province; and Head of the Provincial Office.
1993–1995: Secretary of the Savannakhet Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Savannakhet Province.
1995–1997: Member of the Party Central Committee (6th term) and Minister of Finance.
1998–2001: Member of the National Assembly (4th term); Minister and Head of the Office of the Prime Minister.
2001–2006: Member of the Party Central Committee (7th term); Member of the National Assembly (5th term); Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee; and Vice President of the National Assembly.
2006–2010: Member of the Party Central Committee (8th term); Secretary of the Party Committee of the National Assembly; Member of the National Assembly (6th term); Member of the Standing Committee and Vice President of the National Assembly; and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
2011–2015: Member of the Party Central Committee (9th term); Secretary of the Party Committee; Member of the National Assembly (7th term); and Member of the Standing Committee and Vice President of the National Assembly.
January–April 2016: Member of the Party Central Committee (10th term) and Politburo; Secretary of the Party Committee; Member of the National Assembly (8th term); and Member of the Standing Committee and Vice President of the National Assembly.
June 2016–2020: Member of the Party Central Committee (10th term) and Politburo; Secretary of the Party Committee; President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development; and Member of the National Assembly (8th term).
January 2021: Member of the Party Central Committee (11th term) and Politburo; Member of the National Assembly (8th term); and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Development.
March 2021–December 2025: Member of the Party Central Committee (11th term) and Politburo; President of the National Assembly (9th term).
January 2026: Member of the Party Central Committee (12th term) and Politburo.
March 2026: At the inaugural session of the 10th National Assembly, he was elected President of the National Assembly for the 10th term.
Throughout his career, Comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane held a series of senior Party and State positions, contributing to national governance, legislative affairs, foreign relations, economic management, and the country’s socio-economic development.
His long career in public service reflected his sustained contribution to the Party and State and to the national development of the Lao PDR.
State Funeral Held for Former NA President Saysomphone Phomvihane
August 12 (KPL) – A state funeral for former President of the National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane was held at the That Luang Esplanade in Vientiane on August 12, drawing senior Lao leaders, foreign dignitaries and members of the public to pay their final respects.
The funeral was attended by Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Politburo Member and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Trần Cẩm Tú, as well as representatives from other countries and international organisations.
During the ceremony, President Thongloun Sisoulith delivered a eulogy honouring Saysomphone Phomvihane and recalling his more than five decades of dedicated service to the Party, the nation and the Lao people.
Saysomphone Phomvihane was born on December 12, 1956, in Na Meo Village, Sam Neua District, Houaphanh Province. He pursued higher education in Vietnam, China and the Soviet Union, ultimately earning a doctorate in political economy.
Throughout his career, Saysomphone held a number of senior positions in the Party and State. His responsibilities included serving as Deputy Governor and Governor of Savannakhet Province, Minister of Finance, Head of the Office of the Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Vice President of the National Assembly, President of the Lao Front for National Development and, finally, President of the National Assembly.
In the eulogy, President Thongloun highlighted Saysomphone’s extensive knowledge and capabilities across various fields, broad vision and firm political convictions. He was also remembered for his revolutionary ethics, strong sense of responsibility, patriotic spirit, selflessness and unwavering loyalty to the Party, the nation and the people.
Throughout his decades of public service, Saysomphone remained committed to the Party’s ideals and was noted for his perseverance, prudence and ability to respond effectively to the responsibilities entrusted to him. His experience across different areas of work enabled him to make practical contributions in each position he held.
Mr. Saysomphone devoted his life to the cause of protecting and developing the country, consistently placing the interests of the Party, the nation and the people above personal interests.
He was also remembered for his modest and frugal lifestyle and his close ties with the people. He was described as sincere toward his comrades, generous toward those around him, firm on matters of principle and disciplined in his work. These qualities earned him the respect and trust of his colleagues, the Lao people of all ethnic groups and international friends.
For his lifelong contributions and dedication to national development, Saysomphone received numerous honours and commendations from the Party and government, as well as recognition from international partners.
His passing was described as a major loss to the Party, State and people of Laos. The country has lost a senior leader and an important figure who devoted more than five decades to national service.
His death has brought profound sorrow and mourning to the Party and State, his family, relatives, friends and comrades, as well as people across Laos and international friends who knew and worked with him.
