The Party, government and people of Da Nang always attach great importance, and give the highest priority, to boosting diplomatic relations with Laos, thereby significantly contributing to consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang addressing the ceremony

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang made the statement at a ceremony held in the city on Wednesday morning to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Laos. and the 45^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Secretary Quang emphasised that the Viet Nam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 was marked by a series of events of important historical significance, deeply expressing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He added the founding of the Communist Party of Indochina - the predecessor of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) - opened the first chapter of the glorious history of the special relationship between Laos and Viet Nam, paving the way for the special solidarity today between the two countries.

Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet (fifth, left) and Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh (sixth, right) awarding Certificates of Merit to outstanding organisations and individuals in recognition of their active involvement in strengthening friendship and cooperation relations between Da Nang and Lao localities during the 2018- 2022 period.

On September 5, 1962, Viet Nam and Laos officially established diplomatic ties. On July 18, 1977, the two countries signed a bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, marking a new development step in their relations that transitioned from solidarity in the fight against the common enemy to friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation in the cause of national construction, defence and development, under the leadership of the CPV and LPRP.

Over the past time, the Treaty has achieved important results in many spheres such as politics, defence, security, foreign affairs, economy, culture, education, scientific and technological research.

The upgrade of the ‘traditional friendship’ to the ‘great friendship’ during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Laos in February 2019 was a historic milestone to create a breakthrough for the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The city Party chief noted that the Party Committee, government and people of the city were always deeply aware that each victory in the previous cause of national liberation struggle as well as in the construction and defence of the city is associated with the valuable support and assistance of the Party, State and people of Laos. Therefore, Da Nang has been always making every effort to implement cooperation policies and programmes in a more active and effective manner.

Till date, the city has signed nearly 40 memoranda of understanding with localities of Laos. The focus has been on increasing high-level official exchanges between the two sides, as well as facilitating Da Nang businesses to invest into Laos in planning, agricultural development, healthcare, education, culture, society, and human resource training.

During the 2018-2022 period, Da Nang has spent nearly VND116 billion on assisting the 5 south central provinces of Laos to implement many cooperation programmes such as the construction of schools and Vietnamese language teaching centres, granting scholarships to Lao students to study in the city, and receiving officials from Laos' departments to learn from experience.

In July 2022, a group of the city's senior leaders visited, worked and signed memoranda of understanding on boosting cooperation in the spheres of education, high-quality human resource training, trade and agriculture during the 2023-2027 period with some Laotian south central localities.

Secretary Quang believed that in the coming time, the two countries will continue to overcome all difficulties to constantly cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.

At the same time, he expressed his belief that under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party led by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos will achieve even greater achievements in the cause of industrialisation and modernisation. He wished that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos will be deepened in the time to come.

Lao Consul General in Da Nang Souphanh Hadaoheuang speaking at the ceremony

Speaking at the ceremony, Lao Consul General in Da Nang Souphanh Hadaoheuang pledged that, in the coming time, staff of the Lao Consulate General in Da Nang will continue to act as a bridge to appeal for more Da Nang investors to seek investment opportunities in Laos.

Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman cum Chairman of the city branch of the Viet Nam - Laos Friendship Association Ho Ky Minh noted that on January 8, 2022, Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister of Lao PDR Phankham Viphavanh officially launched the ‘the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year’ 2022 with solemn and practical commemoration activities in both countries.

 “With its high sense of responsibility, the Da Nang branch of the Viet Nam - Laos Friendship Association will continue to uphold its achievements in the past time, and promote the effectiveness of the association's activities in a bid to make the association a bridge of friendship, thereby contributing to fostering the bilateral relations with Laos in the near future” emphasised Mr. Minh.

At the ceremony, Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Trung Chinh awarded Certificates Of Merit to 15 collectives and individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements in recognition of their active involvement in strengthening friendship and cooperation relations between Da Nang and Lao localities during the 2018- 2022 period.

Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh delivering his remarks at the ceremony.

Attendees at the celebration

City leaders taking a souvenir photo with international delegates and Lao students in Da Nang.

Reporting by NGOC PHU - Translating by M.DUNG