HCM City, Da Nang celebrate Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties

In his speech delivered at the event, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the long-lasting relations between the two countries, which were founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong, then nurtured and developed by generations of Party and State leaders and people of Vietnam and Laos.

On September 5, 1962, the two nations officially set up diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter in history of the bilateral relationship, he said.

Later, on July 18, 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation, a very important document that creates a firm legal foundation for a series of joint agreements to enhance and expand the sound traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation in a wide range of fields in the new period, Nhan said.

The official added that HCM City has cooperative relations with Vientiane and Champasak province while regularly coordinating with many other Lao localities such as Xiangkhouang, Houaphanh and Attapeu provinces.

For his part, Santiphap Phomvihane, Secretary and Governor of the Lao province of Savanakhet, said amid regional and global complicated developments, especially challenges regarding market mechanism, international integration and globalisation, it is a high time for the two Parties, States and people of Laos and Vietnam to further nurture the bilateral solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

He believed that in the future, the Lao and Vietnamese people would continue standing side by side and supporting each other in national construction and development, thus obtaining greater achievements on the path to socialism.

Also at the ceremony, HCM City was presented a first-class Labour Order by the Lao State for its contributions to promoting special relations between Vietnam and Laos.

On this occasion, a photo exhibition entitled “Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation” was opened in HCM City’s pedestrian street. The exhibition will run until July 22.

A similar ceremony was also organised in the central city of Da Nang on the same day.