Participants in the event included State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, politburo member Truong Tan Sang, Foreign Minister-cum-Deputy PM Pham Gia Khiem, and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sounthne Sayachak.

Addressing the ceremony, PM Dung stressed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy to value and maintain the pure and faithful solidarity between Vietnam and Laos and to give top priority to continually strengthening the special traditional ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, PM Dung congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on the 35^th anniversary of the Lao state. He also reviewed the glorious revolutionary path that Laos has taken over the past 35 years under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. Mr Dung reaffirmed the sound choice made by the Lao people – building the people’s democracy to advance to socialism and achieve social equity, prosperity, and happiness.

PM Dung emphasized that the special bonds between Vietnam and Laos were forged during hardship by the ‘sweat and blood’ of revolutionary generations of both countries and have become a model for fraternal relations between countries in the world. These ties, he said, have served as a source of strength for both countries to fight and succeed in their causes of national liberation, safeguarding territorial integrity and striving for prosperity and happiness.

The government leader also recalled the great services rendered by Vietnam’s President Ho Chi Minh, who founded the Communist Party of Indochina, and Laos’ President Kaysone Phomvihane, Prince Souphanouvong, and other leaders.

In her speech, Ambassador Sounthne Sayachak expressed her emotion about PM Dung’s feelings for Laos. She said Laotians pledge to join Vietnamese in preserving the special ties between Vietnam and Laos, making them stronger and ‘evergreen’.

Some images of the ceremony:

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sounthne Sayachak