Since Viet Nam and Laos officially set up the diplomatic ties in 1962, and signed the Amity and Cooperation Treaty in 1977, the special solidarity and friendship relations between the two countries have been ceaselessly consolidated and reinforced in various aspects.

Deputy Secretary Tri (2nd, left) meeting with some affected residents in Attapeu Province

Based on the Viet Nam-Laos long-lasting relations, the bilateral cooperative relationships between Da Nang and southern provinces of Laos, including Attapeu Province, have been also strengthened.

Therefore, after the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in southeast Laos on 23 July, a group of Da Nang’s leaders, led by municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri visited Attapeu Province on 29 July.

After travelling over 300km, the Da Nang guests arrived in the Laotian province in the evening of the same day. However, they couldnot reach the affected area in Sanamxay District due to swift-flowing floodwaters.

In the morning of the following day, Deputy Secretary Tri donated 2 billion VND, and 200 million VND, both from the city budget, to Attapeu Province and Sanamxay District respectively for disaster relief efforts.

During their stay in the Laotian province, the Da Nang guests couldnot visit affected families in Sanamxay District because some affected areas were isolated by floodwaters, whilst the water level of some streams was rising.

Finally, the visiting delegation had to give 100 million VND in cash and materials to the Association of Overseas Vietnamese in Attapeu Province, and 30 million VND in cash and materials to the South Laos Friendship Company of Vietnamese Military Zone 5, known as the 206 Company.

During his meeting with Deputy Secretary Tri, the Association’s Chairman, Mr Vo Van Mung reported that there were a total of 363 Vietnamese people living and working in Attapeu Province. Fortunately, no Vietnamese deaths were reported as a result of the hydropower dam collapse.

He added only 4 Vietnamese affected families in Sanamxay District’s May Village become homeless. However, they received immediate assistance from the Laotian government.

Vice Chairman of the Association Tran Quoc Tuan remarked that his association has appealed for Vietnamese expatriates in Laos to donate a total of 125 million VND in cash and material to affected families. In addition, the association gave Attapeu Province 53 million VND in aid to help it deal with the current difficulties.

Mr Tuan affirmed that he and his Association members would hand the donations from the city to affected families to help them stabilise their lives.

Mr Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the 206 Company, said that after hearing about the dam collapse, many of the company’s employees, nurses and doctors were sent from Champasak Province’s Paksong District to Attapeu Province for giving medical check-ups and treatments to local residents, and instructing them to ensure environmental sanitation.

The company coordinated with the provincial authorities to conduct search and rescues activities, and give relief materials totalling over 200 million VND to victims.

The visit by the Da Nang delegation, and the donations from the city government, have not only helped the Attapeu Province to overcome the consequences of the disaster, but also deepened the Viet Nam-Laos traditional friendship and cooperative relations.