General Phan Van Giang and Lao Minister of Defense review the honor guard in Son La

On the afternoon of October 22, the second Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange officially began with a welcoming ceremony for the Lao delegation at Long Sap Border Gate to Moc Chau district (Son La province) to participate in activities within the framework.

Vietnamese and Lao Defense Ministers attend the flag-raising ceremony at milestone 255.

The Lao delegation was led by General Chansamone Chanyalath, member of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Laos.

At exactly 2:00 p.m. on October 22, General Chansamone Chanyalath moved across the border to the Vietnamese side. Behind him was the honor guard of the Lao Army.

The official welcoming ceremony was solemnly held under the chairmanship of General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam.

The Vietnam People's Army Honor Guard prepares for the welcoming ceremony of the Lao Minister of Defense.

The second Vietnam-Laos border defense friendship exchange was held on October 22 and 23 in Moc Chau district (Son La) and Sop Bao district (Houaphanh province, Laos).

The two ministers reviewed the guard of honor.

The honor guard marched in front of the stands.

This is the second time Vietnam and Laos have organized a border defense friendship exchange. In December 2021, the first exchange took place in Huong Hoa district (Quang Tri province) and Sepon district (Savanakhet, Laos) and was a great success, demonstrating the friendship and solidarity between the armies and people of the two countries.

The two Ministers planted a friendship tree at landmark 255.

The second Vietnam - Laos border defense friendship exchange is an important defense foreign activity in 2024 of the two countries' Defense Ministries, organized based on the guiding viewpoints of the two Parties and two States on building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and mutually developed Vietnam - Laos border.

Delegations from the two countries took souvenir photos before conducting activities within the framework of the exchange.

Military bands of Vietnam and Laos performed the song "Beautiful Flowers of Champa" together.

This is an opportunity for the two countries to continue affirming the policy of strengthening bilateral defense cooperation, which is identified as an important pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; directly contributing to consolidating the close relationship between the two countries, especially between local Party committees, authorities and people in border areas, while at the same time promoting the sense of responsibility of the border protection forces of the two countries to join hands to coordinate more closely and effectively in managing and protecting the border, landmarks, fighting and preventing crimes, helping people to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and mutually developing Vietnam - Laos border.

Source: https://danviet.vn/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-va-bo-truong-quoc-phong-lao-duyet-doi-danh-du-tai-son-la-20241022160159915.htm