A series of activities have been held in Vientiane, Laos, to mark the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012, the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

An opening ceremony of a mineral exploitation and processing plant has taken place in Sakai village, Sang Thoong district, the capital city of Vientiane. The plant is a joint venture between Vietnam’s Hong Quang Construction and Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company and the Vientiane Trade Co. Ltd.

The ceremony was attended by Le Hong Anh, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, who is in Laos for the two countries’ major celebrations.

Somsat Lengsavad, Politburo member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Deputy Prime Minister, and Sukan Mahalat, member of the LPRP Central Committee’s Secretariat and Governor of Vientiane, were among others at the event.

To mark the anniversaries, the Lao Defence Ministry held a meeting in Vientiane on July 19 in the presence of Minister Douangchay Phichith, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Minister Sengnouane Sayalat and Vietnamese Chief Defence Attache in Laos Colonel Nguyen Phu Hai.

Both host and guest highlighted the significance of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 years since the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

They recalled the history of the two countries’ traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Also in Vientiane on July 19, work started on a project on an archive centre, a library and an office building of for the Lao National Social Science Institute with non-refundable aid from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

The project has an investment of 154 billion VND.-VNA