Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh, said during their resistance war against the French colonialists, Vietnamese soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with the Lao people to overcome difficulties and challenges. They fought hundreds of battles to defend revolutionary bases and expand liberated areas.

After the resistance war against the US imperialists broke out, thousands of Vietnamese officers were again sent to Laos to help the neighbouring country strengthen its revolutionary forces and launch political propaganda campaigns against the enemy until the final victory of the revolution.

In a message to the meeting, Chumaly Saynhason, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), described Vietnam’s decision to send its soldiers and experts to Laos as vital to the two countries’ struggle against the common enemy. He said the decision demonstrated the spirit of pure international communism and the symbol of special solidarity and friendship between Laos and Vietnam.

He expressed his great gratitude to the Party, State, the army and people of Vietnam for their effective and heart-felt assistance to Laos’ struggle for national independence, construction and development.

He quoted Laos’ late LPRP General Secretary Kaysone Phomvihan, saying that “Vietnam’s assistance was one of the decisive factors behind the victory of the Lao Revolution.”

At the meeting, Saman Vinhaket, Politburo member of the LPRP Central Committee, conferred the National Gold Order – the highest distinction of Laos - on Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and military specialists in recognition of their important contributions to Laos.