A cultural, sports and tourism exchange programme between Vietnam’s central province of Thua Thien – Hue and Salavan and Sekong provinces of Laos opened in the ancient capital city of Hue on September 13.

The three-day event forms part of activities within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year and a project on promoting cultural, sports and tourism ties between Vietnamese and Lao border localities launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam.

Sharing an 84-km border line with Laos , Thua Thien – Hue province has encouraged its people to nurture the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Lao localities.

The province has helped Laos train its students and supported the country in the fight against natural disasters.

On their part, the Lao side has assisted Vietnam in searching and repatriating remains of Vietnamese experts and voluntary soldiers who died during the wartime in Laos.-VNA