The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos hosted a diplomatic banquet in Vientiane on January 17 in celebration of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith and Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith were among guests to the event.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Ta Minh Chau said 2012, named the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year, is a special year for the two countries’ relationship as it marks the 50 th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 35 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He took the occasion to thank the Lao Party, State and people for their support for the Vietnamese community in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith congratulated Vietnam on successes it has gained over the past year, expressing belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people will harvest greater successes in the future.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in the US organised a ceremony to welcome the Year of the Dragon. The event drew the participation of more than 300 Vietnamese people who are living, working and learning in the US .

On January 15, the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico also held a Tet celebration for the local Vietnamese community./.