Construction of a memorial complex to President Ho Chi Minh began in Xiangvang village, Nongbouk district, in Khammouane province of Laos on April 18.

The event was jointly held by Ho Chi Minh Museum of Vietnam and Kaysone Phomvihan Museum of Laos.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Director of Ho Chi Minh Museum Chu Duc Tinh said the complex will be built on an area of 1.5 hectares at a cost of 35 billion VND as non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese Government.

It includes a memorial house and a house introducing the revolutionary life of President Ho Chi Minh as well as his impact on the Vietnam-Laos special relations.

The complex is expected to be completed within a year to mark the 122 nd anniversary of the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19) and Vietnam -Laos Friendship Year in 2012, Tinh said.

Souvandi Sisavath, who is in charge of the Kaysone Phomvihan Museum , said the complex will hold historical and political significance, and highlight the special cultural identities of the two countries.

The beloved President, who founded the Indochinese Communist Party, the precursor of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, established and fostered the special relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people, he said.

The complex is built on land where President Ho used to live and work, Souvandi Sisavath said, noting that it manifests boundless gratefulness to the President, who dedicated his life to the revolutionary cause of the two countries.-VNA