Delegates mark the start of the temple construction on March 24. (Photo: VNA)This is the first templebuilt by the Vietnamese community in Laos to commemorate the two countries’heroes and martyrs who laid down their lives during the nations’ struggle for independence.
Chairman of the Association of VietnamesePeople in Xiengkhuang Ha Van Canh said during 1969 - 1972, the liberatedzone of the Plain of Jars in Xiengkhuang was occupied by the enemy. In thatcritical situation, the Party, Government, and army of Vietnam sent support to theLao revolution at the request of the neighbouring country.
A large number of voluntarysoldiers and experts from Vietnam came to stand by side with the Lao troops andpeople to fight against the common enemy. Many officers and soldiers of the twocountries sacrificed their lives in those battles. More than 15,000 Vietnamesesoldiers and military experts fell down in Xiengkhuang, Xaysomboun, andVientiane provinces alone, he noted.
Canh added the Vietnamesecommunity in Xiengkhuang views the temple building as part of the followinggeneration’s responsibility to express gratitude to the countries’ heroes and martyrs.
Talking to the Vietnam NewsAgency, Bouasy Nathavong, President of the Lao Front for National Construction Committeein Xiengkhuang, highly valued the temple construction by the Vietnamesecommunity and the two countries’ philanthropists.
She attributed the good lifethe Lao people have today to the countries’ heroes and martyrs, affirming thatthe local administration will provide the best possible conditions for the templeto be completed on schedule.
The temple, located in Nhuomvillage of Pek district, is expected to have its first phase completed tinJuly, when the two countries will hold many activities marking the Vietnam -Laos and Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship.
Vietnam and Laos arecelebrating the 60th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomaticties and 45 years since the signing of their Treaty of Friendship andCooperation in 2022./.
VNA
