Vietnamese and Lao military youths gathered at a gala night in Hanoi on August 1 in celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and 35 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lieut. Gen. Dao Duy Minh, deputy head of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army, stressed that the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam special relationship is an example of the close, faithful, pure and effective connectivity between nations.

The relationship, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and generations of Vietnamese and Lao leaders, has become a rule of existence and a miraculous strength that creates great successes for the two countries’ revolutions, he said.

Minh stated that the event offers a chance for the youths of the Vietnamese and Lao armies to look back on their tradition of solidarity and attachment as well as continue consolidating their sentiments and responsibilities in order to strengthen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, armies and peoples.

After the opening ceremony, the participants enjoyed a special arts programme jointly performed by Vietnamese and Lao artists.-VNA