Vietnamese language speaking contest held for Lao students hinh anh 1Lao students at a class. Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Eleven teams of Lao students competed in an elocution contest in Vietnamese about Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi and the friendship between Vietnam and Laos in the city on November 26.|

The event, the first of its kind, hosted by the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association (VLFA), the Hanoi chapter of the association, and the Foreign Trade University, aims to mark the 42nd National Day of Lao (December 2).

The event was attended by Tran Van Tuy, VLFA President, his Lao counterpart, Vilayvong Bouddakham, 39 delegates from 17 Lao localities, and Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

Addressing the event, VLFA President Tran Van Tuy expressed delight at the achievements Laos has gained over the past 42 years, believing that under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the country will continue reaping greater successes.

He expressed his hope that the event would enhance understanding between Vietnamese and Laos students, helping consolidate the special friendship between the two countries.

For his part, the Lao Ambassador described 2017 as an important milestone in the Vietnam – Laos relationship, saying it marks the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the 55th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

Vimonsa Phasavat from the Friendship 80 school won the special prize, worth four million VND (176 USD) in cash, while two first prizes, worth three million VND (132 USD) each went to Palami Phashoukxayngam and Souphapone Xaysongkham from the University of Mining and Geology and the Foreign Trade University, respectively.

On the occasion, VLFA President Tran Van Tuy presented 400 million VND of donations raised to build a charity house for a mother in Phon village, Lamam district, the southern province of Sekong, who gave her milk to an exhausted Vietnamese soldier who was facing death from malaria some 40 years ago.-VNA
VNA