The annual Vietnam-Laos friendship exchange opened in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on July 16, aiming at enhancing mutual understanding between the two youth unions.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Phan Van Mai, Permanent Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee (HCMYUCC) and Khampha Phimmasone, Deputy Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union Central Committee (LPRYUCC) stressed that the event demonstrates the determination of the two countries’ young generations to preserve and uphold the traditional friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples.

To mark the occasion, the LPRYUCC was presented with Vietnam’s Independence Order, First Class while the HCMYUCC was awarded Laos’ first class Issara Order.

On the same day, the delegates visited several historical places in Tuyen Quang province, including Tan Tra relic in Son Duong district and the former base of the Lao revolution in My Bang commune, Yen Son district.

The event will run until July 22 in the provinces of Son La, Nghe An and Ha Tinh as well as the capital city of Hanoi.-VNA