Hanoi (VNA) – The second Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange is scheduled for October 22-23, expected to help enhance the special relations of solidarity and friendship between the two countries, heard a press conference on October 15.
It will feature various activities in Vietnam’s northern mountainous province of Son La, and Houaphanh province of Laos. They include welcome ceremonies, tree planting, a joint exercise on cross-border crime combat, gift hand-over, a cross-border marathon, free health check-ups and medicine distribution, and art performances. The two sides will also hold talks and sign cooperation documents.
As one of the key defence diplomacy events of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) this year, the exchange is hoped to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, said Colonel Tong Van Thanh, deputy head of the Department of Information and Training at the VPA’s General Department of Politics, who will chair the event.
It will also help reinforce political trust, build and foster friendship and special solidarity, and promote practical practical cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao border guards, as well as local authorities and border residents, thus help build a border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development, he said.
Colonel Vongxay Inthakham, Defence Attaché of Laos to Vietnam, said the exchange offers a chance for the two countries’ people to raise their awareness of national defence and contributions by armies to stability and development in the border area.
NA Chairman’s Laos trip to strengthen special relationship: Ambassador
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip to Laos from October 17-19 for an official visit and the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) will help enhance the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and legislatures, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, a diplomat has said.
