A rehearsal and other preparations for the state funeral of Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, have taken place in Hanoi and in his hometown in Quang Binh Province.
The team stopped by General Giap's house for 30 minutes
According to the General's funeral plan, the state funeral will start at 7h30 and run until 21h on October 12. General Giap’s coffin will be kept at the National Morgue at No. 5, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi. After a memorial service on the morning of October 13, the General’s coffin will be transported by plane to Vung Chua-Dao Yen in Quang Binh, where he will be buried the same day.
Both Quang Binh Province and HCM City will hold simultaneous funerals for General Giap at the people's request.
A rehearsal was held on October 10 morning when 25 security trucks left the National Morgue and stopped by General Giap's house, at 30 Hoang Dieu Street, for 30 minutes, before heading to Noi Bai Airport.
Major-General Nguyen Kim Son, Head of the Political Department of the General Staff, said they would roughly calculate the time and the traffic flow, especially at the airport. Upon seeing the trucks, however, people quickly made way for the funeral procession. 12 officers will carry out the required ceremony before moving the coffin to the plane.
Vietnam Airlines has sent its ATR72 to transfer the coffin and an Airbus 321 to carry General Giap's family and the funeral committee, headed by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
According to Vietnam Airlines, they decided to use the ATR72 to transfer the coffin instead of the Airbus 321 or Boeing 777 after much consideration.
"The doors of the Airbus and the 777 are much higher than the ATR72, in addition, both of these planes are huge which is unnecessary for this occasion. All pilots and the 12 male attendants on these flights will wear funeral armbands." a Vietnam Airlines' representative said. "This is an honour for Vietnam Airlines and also a chance for us to express our heartfelt gratitude to our hero."
Security trucks and artillery tractor
12 officers carry General Giap's coffin to the plane
In Quang Binh, authorities are quickly gathering 25 security trucks for the funeral. So far, only 14 trucks and one artillery tractor have arrived at Dong Hoi Airport.
Authorities in Quang Binh Province preparing the security team for the funeral