Comrade Chairman Ho Chi Minh,[2]

Shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Comrade Nguyễn Chí Thanh[1] due to illness, I am deeply grieved. Comrade Nguyễn Chí Thanh was a fine comrade and a fine comrade-in-arms both to you and to us, as well as a fine comrade-in-arms to the revolutionary people and oppressed nations of the world. He made outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of Vietnam and to the unity, militant friendship, and solidarity between our two countries, two Parties, and two armies. His passing is a tremendous loss to our common revolutionary cause. However, his shining example and influence will never fade away; they will continue to be carried forward and magnified. I earnestly hope you will restrain your grief and take good care of your health.

Mao Zedong, Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai
July 8, 1967

[1] Nguyễn Chí Thanh, formerly a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Workers' Party, Secretary of the Central Committee Secretariat, and member of the National Defense Council of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, passed away due to illness on July 6, 1967, at the age of 53.
[2] Ho Chi Minh, then Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Workers' Party and President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.