The Vietnamese Embassy and the Lao Embassy in Australia co-hosted a friendship exchange in Canberra on August 6 to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 35 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Hoang Vinh Thanh and his Lao counterpart Phomma Khammanichanh stressed that the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihan, President Souphanouvong and generations of Vietnamese and Lao leaders and people, have been developed in both width and depth.

Thanh highlighted the importance of the celebration “Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year” which was launched by Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang and Laos ’ Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Saynhasone. He said that the special relations between the two Parties and peoples have become a decisive factor for the two countries’ achievements as well as for maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

Thanh stated that cooperation in many fields between diplomatic staffs and the Vietnamese and Lao communities in Australia will contribute to strengthening the special solidary, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples for regional peace, stability and development.

For his part, Lao Ambassador Phomma Khammanichanh said that the two countries always stood side-by-side during the resistance war for national independence. The solidarity is a vital factor for the victory of the two countries’ revolutions and a role model for international relationship. He affirmed that the Vietnam-Laos solidarity has always been a foundation for bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Khammanichanh also expressed his thanks to the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia for their cooperation and his wish to continue receive its support in the future.

After the opening ceremony, the participants enjoyed a special arts programme and traditional dishes of Vietnam and Laos-VNA