On the morning of November 11, in Hue City, the Ministry of Information and Communications coordinated with the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province to organize the opening ceremony of the program "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023".
viet-lao-6-1.jpg

Scene of the opening ceremony of the program "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023".

The program took place to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos (1962 - 2023) and the 46th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries (1977 - 2023). Attending the opening ceremony, on the Vietnamese side were leaders of the Ministry of Information and Communications; Leaders of the People's Committee and departments, branches and sectors of Thua Thien Hue province... On the Lao side, there were the participation of leaders of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism; Representatives of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam; Lao Consulate in Da Nang; leaders of Salavan province and representatives of Sekong province of Laos...
viet-lao-5-1.jpg

Delegates attending the ceremony.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam reviewed many events and memories demonstrating the special and close friendship between the people of the two countries, and the achievements of cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in many fields, especially in the field of information and communications in recent years. According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam, in terms of information, in recent years, Vietnam has regularly exchanged delegations at all levels, delegations of information management officials, and delegations of reporters from both countries; supported journalism training for Lao reporters; exchanged radio, television, and publication programs; promoted press agencies of the two countries to cooperate in information, share experiences, and provide technical support. In terms of information technology , the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communications of Laos, on behalf of the two governments, signed an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on digital partnerships.
viet-lao-10-1.jpg

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam delivered the opening speech at the ceremony.

This is the first digital partnership agreement between Vietnam and another country, affirming the importance and highest priority for developing cooperation in digital technology industry, digital transformation, digital infrastructure, digital trade and investment, digital innovation, digital research and development, cyber security as well as cooperation in international digital forums. In the field of telecommunications, this is truly a highlight in the cooperation between the two countries, with two major representatives of Vietnam in Laos being the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) - represented by Viettel Global Investment Joint Stock Corporation (Viettel Global) and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023" is not only a cultural and artistic exchange activity between the people of Vietnam and Laos, but also a bridge for trade, trade promotion, and promotion of product brands of Vietnamese enterprises with Lao enterprises. This is also an opportunity for the two countries to discuss bilateral cooperation programs to develop digital technology industry, digital infrastructure, digital trade, digital economy, digital investment, digital transformation, and especially digital transformation in journalism and media.
viet-lao-7-1.jpg

Delegations from the two countries visited the exhibition booths displaying documents demonstrating the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Laos through the ages.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong - Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee informed that in recent times, the special traditional friendship between Thua Thien Hue province and localities of Laos, especially the Southern and Central provinces of Laos, has continued to be strengthened and developed well, increasingly close, trustworthy, effective and practical. With the achieved results, it can be affirmed that the cooperation between the province and localities of Laos is one of the highlights and important achievements in the foreign relations of Thua Thien Hue province in recent times. At the ceremony, Mr. Phosy Keomanivong - representative of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos shared that the Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival in 2023 is organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam in collaboration with the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province, coinciding with the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 61st anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and the 46th anniversary of signing the Treaty of Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation.
viet-lao-1-1.jpg

Signing ceremony of "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Agreement Between the Department of External Information, Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam and the Department of Mass Communications, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos".

“I highly appreciate the activities held during this year's festival, considering it an important event of our two Parties and States. With the goal of firmly following the viewpoints, guidelines and policies of the Party, State and people of Laos and Vietnam in the work of preserving, connecting, strengthening the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation, enhancing the traditional friendship between Laos and Vietnam, the field of information and communication has always been considered a prominent field in the relationship between Laos and Vietnam with many cooperation projects. Therefore, the solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance between Laos and Vietnam, the dissemination of press information, advanced technology and good traditional culture, and the promotion of tourism are urgent goals and requirements, and important factors in the relationship between the two countries. We will work together to make the Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023 an important annual activity in the field of press information of the two countries, implementing a seriously and effectively other cooperation projects that have been and will be signed by the leaders of the two countries", Mr. Phosy Keomanivong emphasized. Within the framework of the opening ceremony of the "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023", the relevant parties also held a signing ceremony for the "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Agreement Between the Department of Foreign Information, Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam and the Department of Mass Communications, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos" to promote information and communication work between Vietnam and Laos. Quang Thanh - Ngoc The