Silent vigil to mark Nguyen's execution

CANBERRA - Supporters of condemned drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van will hold a silent vigil in Canberra early today as he takes his final steps to the gallows in Singapore.

Nguyen is expected to hang at 6am (11am NZT) at Singapore's Changi Prison after all avenues of appeal to save his life failed.

The Australian Greens will host a silent vigil outside Singapore's High Commission in Canberra to express their sorrow at Nguyen's death.

"The event will offer an opportunity to express sorrow at the passing of Van, to show respectful opposition to the application of the death penalty everywhere and to express sympathy to Van's family," the Greens said.

"This is not a political event, and respect is essential."

Nguyen yesterday had a final, emotional visit with his mother Kim, twin brother Khoa and lawyers.

Nguyen was not allowed to receive a final hug from his mother or brother, but the three were allowed to hold hands for the last time.

Nguyen will be woken in his death row cell before dawn this morning.

Handcuffed, he will take the short walk from his cell to the gallows, where a trapdoor will spring open at 6am.

At the same moment, at Melbourne's St Ignatius Catholic Church, where Nguyen and his brother once went to school, the bell will ring out 25 times, once for every year of the dead man's life.

Within hours of the hanging, Nguyen's body will be returned to his family, and flown back to Melbourne for his funeral.

- AAP