Vietnamese volunteer soldiers honoured by Lao State

Quang Binh (VNA) – A total of 43 volunteer soldiers and experts in the central province of Quang Binh, who p erformed international missions in Laos during the 1945-1975 period, were presented with orders and medals of the Lao State at a ceremony in Dong Hoi city on November 1.

The presentation was to recognise the awardees’ contributions to Laos’ revolution and to promoting the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos.

Authorised by the President of Laos , Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai and Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong handed over the Freedom and Victory Orders, first class, and the anti-French and American resistance medals to the local volunteer soldiers and experts.

Speaking at the event, Hoai said the honours show gratefulness to Quang Binh’s volunteer soldiers and experts for their sacrifice and great contributions to the national liberation, defence and construction of Laos.

He also highlighted the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos, saying that this is a valuable asset of the two nations, which was contributed by effort or even life of the two countries’ officers, soldiers and people.

Between 1945-1975, over 500,000 Vietnamese soldiers and experts volunteered to help Laos in its national defence and construction. About 40,000 of them, including those from Quang Binh, laid down their lives during the period.-VNA