The third Vietnam-Laos People’s Friendship Festival closed in the northern province of Tuyen Quang on July 20 after five days of various activities.

Phankham Viphavan, Lao Minister of Education and Sports and Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, spoke highly of the festival, stressing its special importance as one of the programmes to mark the two countries’ 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He said it is a good chance for both sides to recall the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between their two nations.

Vu Xuan Hong, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, said through the festival, both peoples’ representatives met and discussed measures to continue consolidating and strengthening their relationship and comprehensive cooperation, bringing it to a new height.

Hong affirmed that continuing to build and develop the relationship is the common responsibility of the Parties and authorities at all levels, mass organisations and each people of both countries, including the friendship associations.

A spotlight of the festival was a tour of Tuyen Quang province – the base of both Vietnamese and Lao revolutions, by the two countries’ representatives, which helped them to understand more about the two countries’ revolutions, closeness and mutual assistance.

On this occasion, the Lao minister presented the Issara Order, third class, to the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

He also presented the Friendship Order to President Hong for his efforts to strengthen Vietnam-Laos ties.-VNA