PANO – To welcome the 35th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos Diplomatic ties and Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2012, the Vietnam People's Army Youth Committee, in association with Vietnam Television, Tran Quoc Tuan University and Department Foreign Relations of Defense Ministry, held a gala evening, “Sharing Truong Son mountain-close comradeship”, for Vietnamese and Lao youths from the People’s Armies of the two nations on August 1st.
Present at the gala were Tong Thi Phong, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, Senior Lieutenant-General Nguyen Thanh Cung, Member of the Military Central Party Commission and Deputy-Defence Minister, and Somphone Sichaleune, the Ambassador of Lao PDR to Viet Nam.
Long-lasting special relations and comprehensive cooperation
The “Sharing Truong Son mountain-close comradeship” gala, as instructed by the General Department of Politics of Vietnam People’s Army, aims to create an opportunity for youths of the two armies to recall the long-lasting traditional relations and special solidarity of the two countries as well as raise their awareness of the special relations to further promote the friendship and comprehensive cooperation of the two Parties, States, armies and peoples.
Addressing the ceremony, Lieutenant-General Dao Duy Minh, Deputy Director of General Department of Politics, affirmed that as main and direct forces to carry out army missions, youths of the two armies, over the past years, inherited and brought into full play glorious traditions of the two nations and armies, and worked closely with each other for the cause of national construction and defense. They deserve to be faithful political and fighting forces of the two Parties, armies and peoples.
For his part, the Lao Military Attaché to Vietnam also emphasized the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation of the two countries. He said that the international and regional situations are changing complicatedly and have effects on the cause of national construction and defense of the two countries.
The Attaché asked youths to grasp thoroughly as well as continue boosting solidarity initiated by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao President Cayson Phomvihan to protect and promote revolutionary achievements recorded by older generations who devoted their lives for national independence.
Vietnam-Laos relations are seen as the most special and typical in history of relations among nations and as a unique example of close, faithful, pure and effective solidarity of the two countries. The relations developed from traditional relations initiated by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao President Cayson Phomvihan and nurtured by their successors. Vietnam-Laos relations was tested in many difficult times and it became strength to help peoples of the two countries successfully fight against foreign invaders. For the two armies, Vietnam and Laos relations are close as brothers, have been consistent and will never be divided in any circumstances.
The night of comradeship and brotherhood
Artistic performances at the gala night clearly reflected special friendship relations and solidarity of the two Parties, States, armies and peoples both in wartime and peacetime.
1,000 Vietnamese and Lao youths together lit the torch of solidarity, friendship and closeness of the two Parties, States, armies and peoples. Participating youths hand in hand performed Vietnamese and Lao traditional dances.
Lieutenant Bui Duy Suu, a Vietnamese cadet from Tran Quoc Tuan University said that artistic exchanges between Vietnamese and Lao cadets have been upheld in the university over the past years and attracted the participations of cadets of the two countries. Therefore, since Vietnamese and Lao cadets learned about the gala, “Sharing Truong Son mountain-close comradeship”, to be hosted in the university, they were eager to join and voluntary to practice it for the event.
Kettisack, a Lao cadet, confided that he knew about Vietnam through stories told by his mother. As he finished high school, he decided to come to Vietnam to learn more about Vietnam and its people. After four years living and studying in Vietnam, he felt the hospitality, solidarity and intelligence of Vietnamese as well as was aware of the beautiful relations and special friendship solidarity of the two countries. “Lao cadets and I are delight to join tonight event,” said Kettisack.
The gala left strong impression on both Vietnamese and Lao youths. Songs about Vietnam-Laos relations, hand holdings and fond looks that Vietnamese and Lao youths gave to each other urged them to try their best to make their country more developed and promote the Vietnam-Laos solidarity and friendship relations in coming time.
Translated by Tran Hoai