The Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) held a ceremony on October 18 to launch a youth friendship village along the Laos-Vietnam border.

Covering a total area of 1,034ha in four villages of Khamkout district, Laos’ central province of Bolikhamsay, the project was funded by non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese Government.

The village will provide vocational training and guidance for Lao youths, thus boosting socio-economic development, ensuring security-defence and establishing new residential areas for sustainable development.

Its construction began in August 2012 with a total investment of nearly 40 billion VND (1.88 million USD). The villag comprises a 1,900 sq.m community centre, accommodation for students, and a medical station, along with other support facilities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, HCMCYU First Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh and LPRYU Secretary Vylayvong Butdakham highlighted the importance of the project in strengthening the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, and the links between their youth unions in particular.

They said they hope the village will help Lao youths stabilise their lives and promote socio-economic development in the shared border area between the two countries.-VNA