Building the great friendship between Vietnam and Laos

Towards 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 Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam (1977 - 2023), Vietnam News Agency participated in the "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023", taking place from November 11 - 15 in Hue city. This is a key activity to review the process of building and developing the special friendship between the two countries, aiming to continue to consolidate and strengthen the relationship for the longevity and prosperous development of the two peoples.

Special solidarity The special relationship between Vietnam and Laos was formed from the history of the two nations and was raised to a new height when the Indochinese Communist Party - the predecessor of the Communist Party of Vietnam - was born.

President Ho Chi Minh received and had a friendly talk with Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane, Head of the Lao Party and Patriotic Front Delegation on a friendship visit to Vietnam (1966). Photo: VNA

Vietnam and Laos are two neighboring countries, both leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountain range, with similarities and exchanges in economics, culture, society and politics. The people of the two countries, especially in the border areas, have often relied on each other, supported and protected each other in daily life, as well as in times of natural disasters and enemy attacks. The two countries have always maintained a friendly diplomatic relationship, closely connected with each other through many historical periods. In particular, over the past 6 decades, the good traditional relationship and the loyal attachment between the people of Vietnam and Laos were laid the foundation by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Suphanouvong, and have been diligently cultivated by generations of leaders of the two Parties, two States and peoples, overcoming countless difficulties and challenges, becoming a rare exemplary and loyal relationship. Going back in time, in 1962, after the Geneva Agreement on Laos was signed, a new period of development for the revolutions of the two countries opened. With that opportunity and favorable conditions, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. This was a major historical event, a very important milestone in the relationship between the two countries, affirming the bond of fate in the struggle for national liberation and independence of each country. After 1975, the relationship between Vietnam and Laos entered a new era, walking side by side to build socialism. Deeply aware of the vital significance of the special cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Laos, Laos and Vietnam, the two governments agreed to sign the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation on July 18, 1977. This is an important historical milestone, marking a new turning point in the relationship between the two countries, creating a solid legal basis for strengthening and expanding the special Vietnam - Laos relationship in the new period, and creating a foundation for the two sides to sign a series of cooperation agreements in the future.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounnhang Vorachith on an official friendship visit to Vietnam on December 19, 2017, in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Looking back at the history of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos over the past 9 decades since the founding of the Indochinese Communist Party, in a speech delivered in Hanoi on July 18, 2022 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed: “The Party, State and People of Vietnam always strongly and comprehensively support Laos's renovation process; at the same time, we attach great importance to and give top priority to the special relationship between our two Parties and countries, both comrades and brothers. We always wish to cooperate and support Laos in the spirit of "helping you is helping ourselves", considering this a strategic task; "I hope that together with the Lao Party, State and people, we will continuously foster political trust, promote security and defense cooperation, strengthen the connection between the two economies, constantly improve the quality of educational and training cooperation, together build an independent, self-reliant and deeply integrated economy; together strive for the achievements of cooperation to be increasingly commensurate with the stature of the special Vietnam - Laos relationship, as well as the expectations of the leaders and people of the two countries." In a speech read in the capital Vientiane on the same day on the occasion of the above event, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith also emphasized: "The Lao Party, State and people are always determined and will, together with Vietnamese comrades, continue to promote the tradition of making the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam last forever, strengthen and upgrade cooperation in various fields to become increasingly in-depth and effective in order to bring practical benefits to the people of the two countries." Strengthening relations for prosperous development In the current renovation process of each country, both Vietnam and Laos have achieved great achievements of historical significance in economy, society, and foreign affairs, helping the close cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Laos to become increasingly stronger and expand in many fields.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang and Lao National News Agency (KPL) General Director Khampheuy Philapha during the KPL delegation's working visit to Vietnam. Photo: VNA

During the "Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022" - Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the two countries organized many commemorative activities; regularly exchanged visits at all levels. The two countries jointly organized many economic, trade and investment promotion activities in localities; organized many Lao students to study in Vietnam. The Party and Government of Vietnam built and presented Laos with a vocational school in Khammouane province. Entering 2023, the two countries continued to organize many important cooperation programs such as: Cooperation in information and communications between the Ministries of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos; cooperation in building a peaceful and friendly Vietnam - Laos border; Strengthening exchanges, scientific cooperation, promoting trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Laos... Notably, the Ministry of Information and Communications coordinated with the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province to organize the program "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023" with the theme: Information and communication, a bright spot in the Vietnam - Laos cooperation relationship. Taking place from November 11 to 15 in Hue city, the program includes a series of meaningful events, demonstrating the close friendship between the people of the two countries such as: Photo exhibition, Fair - Exhibition, Scientific seminar and Vietnam - Laos Art Exchange Night. As the country's main multimedia media agency, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) chaired the organization of the "Fair - Exhibition to display and introduce products in the fields of information, communication, culture, and tourism of Vietnam and Laos". True to the theme of the Festival, information and communication - in which the highlight is the traditional cooperative relationship between the two countries' news agencies - is the field introduced and honored at the Fair - Exhibition event.

Deputy General Director of Vietnam News Agency Nguyen Tuan Hung attended the program "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023". Photo: VNA

For VNA, the relationship with the Lao National News Agency (KPL) has also gone through more than 5 decades of companionship. On January 6, 1968, right after KPL was established, VNA was the first news agency to report on this event. Based on the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Party, State and people of Vietnam and Laos, in any period, the practical and effective cooperation between the two agencies has always been promoted. VNA and KPL have overcome difficulties together to maintain cooperation in areas such as information exchange, exchange of leadership delegations, press cooperation, publishing, technical support, training and professional training. In all areas, VNA always tries to support and help KPL to the best of its ability. The relationship is not only built on the basis of traditional neighborly friendship, but also built from the sweat and blood of the people of the two countries, and will be continued to be inherited and promoted by generations of reporters, editors and technicians of VNA and KPL, contributing to further strengthening the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the people of Vietnam and Laos. In recognition of VNA's effective and wholehearted support, in early 2019, the Lao PDR State awarded the Second Class Itxala Order to VNA and the Third Class Labor Order to 8 units of VNA.

Vietnam - Laos art exchange program with the theme "Loyalty - Forever lasting" within the framework of "Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023". Photo: VNA

The special and rare relationship between Vietnam and Laos has been affirmed through the historical process and is still being nurtured on the basis of the common goals of the two countries, with a pure international spirit, helping the revolutions of the two countries gradually overcome challenges and difficulties. The connection of information and communication between the two countries will be a part of the valuable luggage, a solid foundation for the current and future generations of Vietnam and Laos to continue to promote solidarity, build a relationship of equality, autonomy, friendship and cooperation between the two countries "forever green, forever sustainable".

L. Son/Tin Tuc Newspaper