Present at the function were Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat, officials from Lao ministries and agencies, representatives from Vietnamese diplomatic corps and agencies in Vientiane.

Ambassador Quang expressed his strong belief that the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, governments and people would be maintained and developed.

The Lao Deputy PM congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in economic development, political stablisation and international integration.

He also expressed his pleasure at achievements in Laos-Vietnam political, economic, cultural and social cooperation over the past year.

The same day, the overseas Vietnamese in Phnom Penh held a meeting to welcome Tet. The meeting was attended by Vietnamese ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Chien Thang, Vietnamese enterprises, senior officials and Vietnamese living and studying in Cambodia.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand also hosted a get-together to celebrate Vietnam's traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet).

Addressing the function, the Vietnamese ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Duy Hung called for further promotion ò solidarity and patriotic sprit among overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, contributing to the country’s modernisation and industrialisation process for a strong country, and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

Also in celebration of the traditional New Year, Vietnamese living in France gathered at a meeting held by the Vietnamese Embassy. The meeting brought together Vietnamese living, working and studying in Paris, and French and international friends.

At the meeting, Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Dinh Bin highlighted efforts made by overseas Vietnamese in France in stabilising their lives and integrating into the French society, preserving cultural identity and boosting the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Get-togethers were also held by Vietnamese Embassies in Algeria and India to mark the traditional Tet holiday.