Vietnam mourns death of sacred turtle – and fears for ruling party's future

Demise of reptile venerated as symbol of independence struggle considered bad omen for forthcoming Communist congress

A sacred giant turtle venerated as a symbol of Vietnam's independence struggle has died, state media have said, prompting an outpouring of grief and fears the death bodes ill for a forthcoming communist leadership handover.

The reptile, a critically endangered swinhoe softshell turtle, occupies a key mythological role in the country - in the past, the turtle surfaced only rarely, with its sightings deemed auspicious.