Signing of a cooperation program between the Veterans Association of Son La province and the Veterans Association of Phongsaly province (Lao People's Democratic Republic).

Colonel Hoang Manh Long, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Son La province, said: "In international relations, many veterans from the province participated in combat on the Laotian front, so the relationship between the two associations is even more closely intertwined. Over the past time, the Provincial Veterans Association has implemented coordinated programs and signed cooperation agreements with the Veterans Associations of 9 provinces in Northern Laos, continuously improving the quality of the association's work."

The cooperation program involves regular information exchange between the two sides, sharing experiences in carrying out tasks, organizing emulation movements, and solutions to improve the quality of association work. Cooperation includes coordinating the dissemination of information to officials, members, and the public about the special tradition of solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; exchanging information, documents, mementos, and remains of Vietnamese soldiers, civilian workers, and experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos; exchanging experiences on supporting members in economic development and establishing funds to assist impoverished members; and coordinating and creating favorable conditions for veteran businesses from both countries to research markets and invest in business.

Last July, the Son La Provincial Veterans Association held talks and signed a cooperation agreement with the Phongsaly Provincial Veterans Association of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Son La. Comrade Kham Uon Uduong Vi Lay, Chairman of the Phongsaly Provincial Veterans Association, said: "We hope that both sides will strengthen cooperation, exchange information and experiences in association work to enhance the role and responsibilities and effectively fulfill assigned political tasks. At the same time, we will maintain close contact, hold regular talks every two years, and agree on cooperation content for each stage to achieve the highest possible effectiveness in coordination."

In addition, the Veterans Associations in districts bordering Laos have always done well in coordinating activities. Mr. Nguyen Van Phu, Chairman of the Yen Chau District Veterans Association, shared: "Cadres and members have proactively propagated and mobilized the people to strictly implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, the Border Area Agreement and Regulations, and the National Border Law... The Yen Chau District Veterans Association is developing a plan to organize a meeting, discussion, and twinning with the Xieng Kho District Veterans Association, Hua Phan Province (Lao People's Democratic Republic), which shares a border with Yen Chau District, to further strengthen information exchange and cooperation, contributing to maintaining political stability in the border area and strengthening ethnic solidarity."

Always upholding the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," today's veterans continue to promote the glorious national traditions, contributing to their homeland and fostering the special friendship between the military and people on both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border, as well as the solidarity between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos.

Thanh Dao