Also attending from Laos were General Secretary and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) Thongloun Sisoulith and many senior leaders of the Lao Party, State and Government. The exchange was also attended by hundreds of Vietnamese students and more than 1,000 veterans and representatives of the Lao generation who had studied in Vietnam.

Before starting the exchange program, President Luong Cuong and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and officials from both countries enjoyed special Vietnamese-Lao performances by the Lao General Department of Politics and Ministry of National Defense; visited the photo exhibition by the Vietnam News Agency on the outstanding milestones of the special relationship between the two countries and the Vietnam-Laos Combat Alliance.

The photo collection displayed at the exchange includes 30 typical photos selected from the photo archives of the Vietnam News Agency, which vividly and authentically depict the close and lasting relationship and comradeship between the Parties and people of the two countries, who have always stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggle for national independence, as well as in the cause of building, protecting and developing the country today. The photos comprehensively reflect the important milestones in bilateral relations, the outstanding achievements that the two countries have achieved; and the steadfast affection that the people of the two countries have for each other throughout the history of the two nations.

In an atmosphere filled with brotherhood and warm comradeship, the President of the Lao Veterans Association, Senior Lieutenant General Sengnouane Xayalath, shared touching stories about the time he participated in the fighting alliance between the Lao People's Army and the Vietnam People's Army; affirming that it was a period of arduous struggle, but also demonstrated the revolutionary spirit, heroic resilience and noble sacrifice of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and officers and soldiers with the Lao People's Liberation Army and the Lao people who fought side by side for independence and freedom.

Senior Lieutenant General Sengnouane Xayalath emphasized that the Lao Party, State and people always remember the great contributions and are deeply grateful for the great contributions and noble sacrifices of Vietnamese soldiers and people for the revolutionary and democratic cause in Laos, and that those contributions are in accordance with the sacred teachings of President Ho Chi Minh: "Vietnam and Laos, our two countries, have a love deeper than the Red River and Mekong River."

Steadfast in promoting the tradition of special relations and comprehensive cooperation, which will last forever between the two nations, the President of the Lao Veterans Association affirmed that all victories in the past revolutionary cause of national liberation of Laos, as well as the current cause of protecting and building the country, are closely linked to the solidarity and valuable support of the Party - State, the army and people of Vietnam.

Senior Lieutenant General Sengnouane Xayalath believes that the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, Vietnam and Laos is a fine and rare tradition, an important factor deciding the victory of the revolutionary cause of the two countries, and at the same time the most precious heritage of the two Parties, two States, two armies and peoples of the two countries. Therefore, generations of the two countries will resolutely protect and preserve the above heritage as if preserving the apple of their eyes.

Meanwhile, representatives of Lao youth expressed pride in the heroic history of struggle of the two nations, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries, which was founded by the generations of leaders Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong and has been diligently cultivated by generations of leaders of the two countries.

Quoting the famous saying of President Kaysone Phomvihane that: “Mountains may wear away, rivers may dry up, but the friendship between Vietnam and Laos will forever be stronger than mountains and rivers”, the representative of the young generation of Laos affirmed that they will do their best to inherit, preserve and promote the great friendship, special solidarity, a precious asset that previous generations have worked hard to cultivate and pass on to future generations.

Speaking at the meeting, President Luong Cuong expressed his joy at returning to visit the beautiful land of Champa, but this was the first time in his capacity as President, to meet comrades and brothers who shared dangers and hardships, were willing to sacrifice for each other, were closely attached to the Vietnamese revolution as well as the Vietnam-Laos relationship, and witnessed the strong development of Laos after nearly 40 years of renovation.

Emphasizing that this is the time when the people of the two countries are joining in the joyful atmosphere to celebrate the glorious victories of each country and the common victory of the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos, the President said that it is necessary to respect and remember the contributions of the beloved leaders of the two peoples such as President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong... as well as the heroes, compatriots, comrades and soldiers of the two peoples who sacrificed for the cause of national liberation, building the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Laos and Vietnam.

The President emphasized that every victory in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the current cause of national construction and defense of Vietnam has had the valuable support and wholehearted, righteous and effective assistance of the Party, State and people of the brotherly Lao ethnic groups, and expressed the deep gratitude of the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the State of the Lao PDR and the brotherly Lao people.

Impressed by the four words "love" in the great friendship and special solidarity between the two peoples of comrade Thongloun Sisoulith: "Comradeship, brotherhood, solidarity, friendship", the President affirmed that both sides need to have the responsibility to pass on these heroic pages of history to the younger generation, so that they can clearly understand the value of the special solidarity between Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam and continue to nurture this relationship.

The President pointed out that the common victory of the two nations in the past struggle for national liberation and in building and defending the Fatherland today has left invaluable lessons that are still valuable today. First of all, the special solidarity between the two Parties and peoples is the "red thread" that runs through and connects the source of Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam relations.

In the context of the world situation undergoing epochal changes, the President said that Vietnam is aware of the need to further promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, turning the invaluable assets that previous generations have painstakingly built into a solid foundation for extensive, effective and mutually beneficial cooperation activities, focusing on economic, trade, investment, science and technology, education and people-to-people exchange.

In the era of the Vietnamese nation's development, the Party, State and People of Vietnam have always strongly and comprehensively supported the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos. With the spirit of "helping friends is helping ourselves", Vietnam is ready to share all successful experiences with Lao comrades and friends in stabilizing the macro-economy and in implementing major policies such as streamlining, building an efficient, effective and efficient operating apparatus; scientific and technological breakthroughs, innovation and digital transformation; and promoting international integration in the new situation.

In addition to the already excellent pillars of politics, security, defense and foreign affairs, the President hopes that the two sides will further promote connectivity between the two economies, especially infrastructure and transportation connectivity to exploit the strengths and potentials of each country, while enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and Laos with countries in the region, including Cambodia, Thailand, ASEAN countries and other partners.

The President believes that with the joint efforts of the two Parties, two States and peoples, the Vietnam-Laos relationship will continue to develop strongly and sustainably, contributing positively to peace, stability and development in the Southeast Asian region.

Emphasizing that youth is the spring of the country, the future of each nation, the President expressed his joy and excitement to meet Vietnamese and Lao youth in this exchange, thereby realizing the bright future of Laos and also seeing worthy successors to the great solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, the generation that keeps the fire burning, the bridge connecting the glorious past with the bright future of the two Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

To promote the precious solidarity that generations of fathers and brothers have worked hard to build, the President hopes that the two Parties and two States will continue to closely coordinate and create the most favorable conditions for all classes and people of the two countries, especially the young generation, to regularly exchange, discuss and cooperate.

The President affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always devote all the best and most sincere feelings and all possible resources to promote people-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation, especially for Lao students; at the same time, he pointed out that the number of Lao students who have graduated in Vietnam and returned to the country are currently promoting their capacity and actively contributing to the construction and development of the country.

The President believes that each Lao student is a cultural bridge and an ambassador of Vietnam-Laos friendship. Vietnam will continue to strengthen cooperation in training high-quality human resources for Laos, especially in key areas such as economics, science and technology, and state management.

With confidence in the increasingly bright future of Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam relations, the President once again affirmed that Vietnam will continue to be a reliable companion, strongly and comprehensively supporting the efforts to innovate, protect and build the brotherly country of Laos, and at the same time believing that with determination in every action and effort coming from the heart of every Lao and Vietnamese person, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will be constantly consolidated and developed, forever green, forever sustainable.

Source: https://vpctn.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/hoat-dong-cua-chu-tich-nuoc/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-du-chuong-trinh-giao-luu-huu-nghi-viet-lao.html