A meeting to mark the 50 th anniversary of the Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties and 35 years of the signing of Vietnam – Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, took place in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on Aug. 24.

During the war of resistance against the colonialist French, Thai Nguyen was chosen as the centre of the Viet Bac safety zone, locally known as the country’s ‘revolutionary capital’. Many Vietnamese soldiers and volunteers from Thai Nguyen were sent to Laos to help it in its resistance wars while various Lao revolutionaries were sent to Thai Nguyen for working and studying.

Addressing the event, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad said Laos and Vietnam have fostered a close-knit relationship for many generations, which is increasingly elevated to new heights.

The Lao people always receive the wholehearted assistance in human resource and socio-economic development from Vietnam and Thai Nguyen province in particular, contributing to a closer relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Pham Xuan Duong, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, said the province will continue raising public awareness of traditional cooperation between the two countries, and effectively implement both sides’ Party and State policies in the time to come.

On the occasion, 50 outstanding individuals were honoured for their contributions to developing the Vietnam – Laos traditional friendship and special solidarity.

Earlier on Aug. 23, a musical exchange, which was part of the cultural, sport and tourism exchange activities along the Vietnamese and Lao border, got underway in the northern province of Dien Bien, in a move to mark the anniversaries.

Over 100 artists from the locality and the Lao province of Udomsay and Saynhabuly staged traditional performances featuring the two countries’ unique culture.

From Aug. 21-23, a series of film screenings, music performances, photo exhibitions and sport events were also held in the locality, contributing to tightening friendship between Vietnam and Laos, and Dien Bien and northern Lao provinces in particular./.