Northwest University awarded certificates of merit to Lao students who achieved outstanding results in their studies and training.
Photo: PV

Immediately after gaining independence in September 1945, the French colonialists returned to invade Indochina for the second time. Under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, the people of Vietnam and Laos continued to carry out the revolutionary task of national liberation. The people of Son La province, under the guidance of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, secretly sheltered and protected Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane and the Northern Lao Vanguard during their time in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune. From there, the Northern Lao Vanguard began its activities, building revolutionary bases, establishing resistance forces and bases in Hua Phan province and other northern Lao provinces, marking a new period of development and making a significant contribution to the victory of the Lao revolution.

On September 5, 1962, Vietnam and Laos officially established diplomatic relations; on July 18, 1977, the Vietnamese and Lao governments signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Along with other provinces bordering Laos, Son La province has continuously fostered a special friendship and signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with nine provinces of Laos, including: Hua Phan, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Xieng Khouang, Xay Nha Bu Ly, and Say Xom Bun.

Comrade Nguyen Van May, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, stated: Sharing a border with the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Son La province has many similarities in natural and social conditions with the provinces of its neighbor, creating favorable conditions for both sides to strengthen friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation in various fields. In recent years, Son La province has paid special attention to Party foreign affairs and State diplomacy, maintaining and expanding cooperative relations with embassies of foreign countries and international organizations in Vietnam, especially the solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Son La province and the provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Since the beginning of the year, Son La province has established 19 delegations led by leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and localities to conduct working trips to the Lao People's Democratic Republic; organized receptions and working sessions with 44 delegations from provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic visiting, working, and participating in activities in Son La province; issued congratulatory letters and directed departments, agencies, districts with cooperative and sister-district relations, border districts, border communes (newly) with Laos, and universities and colleges in the province to organize activities to celebrate the Lao Bunpimay New Year 2025 and the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It also issued congratulatory letters on the successful conclusion of the Party Congresses for the 2025-2030 term of the 9 provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic with which Son La province has cooperative relations.

In particular, there are many important and comprehensive cooperation programs between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos in all fields. For example, Son La province has allocated funds from its budget to help the northern provinces of Laos build infrastructure. Projects bearing the mark of friendship between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos over the years include: the Political and Administrative School of Luang Prabang province; the television broadcasting station of Hua Phan province; the ethnic boarding school of Phong Saly province; the substation and power grid supplying electricity to Phieng Sa area, Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province; the repair and upgrading of Muong Et ferry terminal; the Political and Administrative School of Udomxay province; the working headquarters of the Military Command of Vieng Kham district, Luang Prabang province...

The Vietnam-Laos Revolutionary Historical Site is a special national monument located in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune.
Photo: PV

Cultural diplomacy and border and national territorial work in Son La province continue to be well-maintained. During the 2020-2025 period, Son La province coordinated with provinces in Laos to organize many activities. Notable examples include: the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, and the awarding of the National Special Monument ranking certificate for the Vietnam-Laos Revolutionary Historical Site in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune, Son La province; the 2022 Culture and Tourism Festival with the theme “The Love Song of Son La - Luang Prabang” in Luang Prabang province; the 2024 Tourism and Culture Festival in Hua Phan province; and the successful organization of the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program in 2024 in Long Sap commune.

In the fields of culture, education, and health, Son La province is strengthening its efforts to receive and train human resources from neighboring Lao provinces. Implementing the memorandum of understanding signed between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos, from 2001 to the present, Son La province has trained over 2,300 Lao students who have graduated with intermediate, college, university, and master's degrees; and over 4,000 Lao students have received Vietnamese language training. Currently, there are over 600 Lao students studying at the following institutions: Northwest University, Son La College, and Son La Medical College.

Mr. Quang Van Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, informed: The province of Son La has been coordinating with the northern provinces of Laos to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of education. Many Lao students, after graduating and returning to their country, have held important and key positions in state agencies, contributing significantly to the construction and development of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2025), a delegation from Son La province, led by the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Son La province, visited and congratulated the Lao Embassy in Vietnam. They also sent congratulatory letters to the Lao Embassy in Vietnam and to nine provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic with which Son La province has cooperative relations. Universities and colleges in the province also organized activities to celebrate Lao National Day. During the program, the schools reviewed the tradition of solidarity, friendship, and special cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos; and highlighted the results of training Lao students at vocational schools in the province. Organizing cultural and artistic exchange activities, awarding scholarships, and giving gifts to Lao students creates a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere, fostering strong friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

The great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and between Son La province and the provinces of Laos, have been developing steadily over time. This is not only a valuable asset for both nations but also a great driving force for both peoples on the path of national construction and development.