The Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sunthon Sayachak held a banquet in Hanoi on Dec. 2 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Lao National Day (Dec. 2).

Prominent among Vietnamese guests were Truong Tan Sang, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Political Bureau and permanent member of the CPVCC’s Secretariat; Nguyen Sinh Hung, Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, and Tong Thi Phong, CPVCC’s secretary and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Sayachak said on Dec. 2, 1975 the Lao Democratic People’s Republic was established, ushering in a new era in the history of a long-lasting, arduous and glorious struggle of the Lao people – an era when they become the real master of their destiny and an independent and free country.

He stressed that over the past 35 years, under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), his country has made positive changes in all fields: a stable political situation and social order, continuous socio-economic development, recording an annual growth rate of 7 percent in the 2006-2010 period. Laos’s international relations have been expanded and by 2010, the country has established diplomatic ties with 132 countries and territories worldwide.

The ambassador said he was proud with the special rapport and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam that has been continuously strengthened and developed. Their top leaders regularly exchange visits, the relations in economic-trade, scientific-technological, educational, social-cultural, national security and defence and diplomatic fields have been intensified.

From 1989 to the end of 2010, Vietnam injected nearly 3 billion USD in more than 200 projects in Laos, ranking among leading foreign investors in this country.

Cooperation in personnel training now is one of top priorities. In addition, cooperation between the two countries’ localities has also been beefed up, contributing to Laos’s socio-economic development.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, Deputy PM Hung congratulated the Lao Party and people for their historical achievements over the past 35 years.

He expressed his gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, and other leaders, heroes and soldiers of the two countries who bravely fought for and fostered and built up the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

He affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy to respect and maintain the rapport. “Vietnam will do its utmost to reinforce the special friendship with Laos, and strive to bring it to a new height for the mutual interest of the two peoples,” he said.

Ambassador Sayachak and his guests raised toasts to wish the two countries gain more successes in their national construction and development, and their special ties to be forever strong./.