On Tuesday, a grand ceremony took place at Da Nang’s Trung Vuong Theatre to mark the 40^th anniversary (18 July) of the signing of the bilateral Amity and Cooperation Treaty between Viet Nam and Laos, and to welcome the upcoming 55^th (5 September) anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Secretary Anh addressing the event

In attendance at the special event were municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh, People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho, representatives from local relevant agencies, Laotian Consul General Khamsene Phommaseng, former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who served in Laos during wartime, representatives from Da Nang-invested businesses in Laos, Laotian students studying in the city, and other honoured diplomatic guests.

Participants at the event

Addressing the event, Secretary Anh remarked that on 5 September 1962 the 2 countries officially set up diplomatic ties which opened a new chapter in the glorious history of this special bilateral relationship. 

Later, on 18 July 1977, the 2 countries jointly signed the Amity and Cooperation Treaty, a very important document that created a political and 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.  Most notably, he highlighted that the Treaty is considered an invaluable asset for the Party and people of the 2 countries, to be passed down to future generations.

Secretary Anh underscored that the Party, government and people of Da Nang are always deeply aware that the unceasing reinforcement of the comprehensive cooperation with Laotian localities plays an essential role in promoting the national construction and protection of the 2 countries.  He hoped that such bilateral cooperative ties would be further deepened in the years ahead.

Delivering his speech at the ceremony, Laotian Consul General Khamsene Phommaseng re-affirmed that long-lasting relationships which were founded by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane have since been nurtured and developed by many generations of Party and State leaders and the people of the 2 countries.

Consul General Khamsene Phommaseng delivering his speech

In particular, on behalf of the Laotian people, Consul General Khamsene Phommaseng expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Viet Nam for the significant support given to his country.

Also at the event, outstanding young people and Laotian students studying in the city delivered emotional speeches, vowing to exert every effort to make the special bilateral relationship eternal.

A musical performance honouring the special bilateral relationship

Recent years have seen numerous remarkable achievements in the bilateral relationships between Da Nang and Laotian localities. 

To date, a total of 30 Memoranda of Understanding have been jointly signed, the majority of them involving production and trade activities, planning, agricultural development, health care, education, culture and social affairs.

Since 2002, member schools of the University of Da Nang have enrolled about 750 Laotian students, many of whom have been granted full scholarships.  Also, many local government agencies have offered numerous internship opportunities for Laotian students.