National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung emphasised the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos , telling attendees at a cultural exchange event on April 24 in northern Son La province that relations have been raised to higher status and become a valuable asset of both countries.

Hung expressed his hope that the event, under the theme “Toward the origin of the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos”, would be a milsestone as the two countries mark Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2012.

Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou said the event gave the legislators of the two nations and their people an opportunity to boost their mutual understanding and contribute to the development of relations.

Participants in the event also had a chance to meet and hear the stories of former Lao National Assembly Chairman Samane Vignaket and Huynh Dac Huong, former commander of Vietnamese volunteer troops in Laos, about the two countries’ close relations during their war for national independence.

Along with performances by artists from both countries, documentaries about the history of Vietnam-Laos relations were also screened.-VNA