Vu The Phiet has died at the age of 71 ©Vietnam Paralympic Association

The President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons has led tributes to the vice-president and general secretary of the Vietnam Paralympic Association (VPA) Vu The Phiet, who has died at the age of 71.

He was known as a pioneer of the Paralympic Movement in Vietnam, and helped lay the foundations and develop Para-sport in the country for 30 years - introducing hundreds of people with disabilities to sport.

"On behalf of the IPC, I would like to send our condolences to Phiet’s family following his sad passing," said Parsons.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

"Phiet worked really hard with his team to drive the Paralympic Movement in Vietnam for over three decades. 

"His role in the development of Para-sports in Vietnam was immense and his departure is a huge loss to the Paralympic Movement and for the entire disabled community in Vietnam and across the globe."

Others who paid tribute included the Asian Paralympic Committee and the President of the Paralympic Committee of India Deepa Malik.

Vietnam had its best performance at the Paralympics to date at Rio 2016 - claiming one gold, one silver and two bronzes.