At the conference of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association held in Thai Nguyen on April 9(Photo: VNA)
ThaiNguyen (VNA) – People-to-people diplomacy has contributed totightening solidarity between the two countries, heard a conference in thenorthern province of Thai Nguyen on April 9.
Diversepeople-to-people diplomatic activities have been carried out over the yearswith the participation of people from all social strata, helping to improve publicawareness, especially amongst youngsters, of the Vietnam-Laos special relationship,said Tran Van Tuy, President of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Association (VLFA).
Accordingto Tuy, who is also a member of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee andhead of the NA Committee for Deputy Affairs, 2019 marks the 70th traditionalday of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Laos (October 30, 1949).
Therefore,the VLFA’s chapters will focus on activities to pay tribute to Vietnamesevolunteer soldiers and experts, such as arranging visits to martyr cemeteries inLaos as well as historical relic sites in the two countries, especially those dedicatedto President Ho Chi Minh and Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong ofLaos.
Theassociation will also organize a delegation of Vietnamese officials who worked underPresident Souphanouvong to attend a get-together held in Laos in July 2019 bythe Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association.
TheVLFA and its Lao counterpart will step up delegation exchanges in 2019.Meanwhile, its chapters will further support Lao students in Vietnam.
Lastyear, the VLFA’s chapters throughout the country organised multiple activitieswith the most noteworthy being a campaign to mobilise 500 million VND (21,500USD) and gifts in support of Lao victims of the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam inAttapeu province.
For its outstanding performance, the VLFA CentralCommittee has been presented with an emulation flag by the Vietnam Union ofFriendship Organisations and a certificate of merit by the Party CentralCommittee’s Commission for External Relations. –VNA
VNA
