Vietnamese, Lao defence ministries beef up ties

Both sides hailed defence cooperation as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, noting its growing diversity, enhanced mechanisms, and improved quality in areas such as human resource training, defence capability building, and industry development.

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (L) and his Lao counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen Khamliang Outhakaysone (Photo: VNA)
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang (L) and his Lao counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen Khamliang Outhakaysone (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang met with his Lao counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen Khamliang Outhakaysone in Vientiane on April 25, as part of State President Luong Cuong’s visit to Laos.

Giang noted that the visit’s timing held significance as both Vietnam and Laos are celebrating their milestones this year.

He expressed profound gratitude for the immense, valuable, sincere, and effective support that the Lao Party, State, army and people have extended to the Vietnamese counterparts. He thanked the Lao Government and Ministry of Defence for their assistance in the search, collection and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos during the war.

Giang also appreciated Laos’ commitment to sending military personnel to the parade marking the upcoming 50th anniversary of the southern liberation and national reunification, expressing hope to welcome Outhakaysone and the high-ranking Lao delegation to the event.

The Vietnamese minister wished that the Lao Government and ministry would offer all possible support to Vietnamese companies, including those under the Vietnam People's Army, to do business across various sectors in Laos.

Outhakaysone, in reply, affirmed that in his position, he would make every effort to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, especially between the Vietnamese and Lao armies.

Laos always remembers and deeply appreciates the support and immense contributions extended by Vietnam in its past struggle for national liberation as well as in the ongoing national development, he said.

Both sides hailed defence cooperation as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, noting its growing diversity, enhanced mechanisms, and improved quality in areas such as human resource training, defence capability building, and industry development.

They agreed to prioritise the effective implementation of the 2025–2029 defence cooperation protocol and the 2025 cooperation plan. Key activities include exchanging delegations at all levels, maintaining the defence policy dialogue mechanism, continuing annual trilateral meetings among Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian defence ministers, and enhancing collaboration in border management and protection, among others./.

VNA

See more

☀️ Morning digest on March 5

☀️ Morning digest on May 20

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee's congratulations to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee on the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, the talks between senior officials of South Africa’s African National Congress and the CPV, and Hanoi ranked ninth among the world’s 20 greatest cities for art and culture for 2025 are among news highlights on May 19 evening.

Judge Ricardo Alfredo Sodi Cuellar, President of the State of Mexico’s Court of Justice. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh in eyes of Latin American friends

Latin American friends have expressed their admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, who led the Vietnamese people to victories and whose thought continues to guide the country’s development. They said Ho Chi Minh’s famous view- “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom” - became a rallying cry for peace-loving people across Latin America.

The screenshot of Argentina’s Reporte Asia featuring an article praising President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy remains ever-present in Argentina: official

According to Marcelo Rodríguez, head of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Argentina (CPA), President Ho Chi Minh is held in deep admiration in Argentina. His ideology on national liberation holds significant relevance for developing countries and the Global South.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Patriotism spirit promoted among Vietnamese people in Switzerland

The celebration offered an occasion to honour generations who sacrificed for national independence and to highlight the responsibility of today's generation, Long said, expressing gratitude to Swiss friends for their support during Vietnam's reunification and development.

Mayor Hagiwara Seiji of Mimasaka speaks with the VNA correspondent in Japan. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh's image in the hearts of Mimasaka people

Hagiwara said Mimasaka is proud to host the statue “Ho Chi Minh reading a newspaper,” the first of its kind in Japan. Each year, the statue draws numerous visitors from both Japan and abroad who come to pay their respects to the late leader.

President Ho Chi Minh works in Viet Bac during the resistance war against French colonialism. (Photo: VNA)

People at centre of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology

Kusum Jain, Chairwoman of the Indo-Vietnam Solidarity Committee (IVSC), praised President Ho Chi Minh as a visionary leader, stressing his inspiring and people-centred leadership, policies, and strategies enabled the Vietnamese people to liberate their nation from colonial, fascist, and imperialist forces, while laying a solid foundation based on socialist ideology and principles for a free, independent, and happy Vietnam.