Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam attended the meeting.
(Photo: VNA)

General Secretary and President To Lam, high-ranking leaders of the Vietnamese and Lao Parties and States; representatives of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, and young people from both countries attended this meaningful meeting.

In a warm and fraternal atmosphere, the General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, recalled the history of the special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam, founded by the great President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and diligently nurtured by generations of Party and State leaders and people of both countries, tested through the fire of revolutionary struggle with the sweat and blood of Lao and Vietnamese soldiers. Comrade Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that the Vietnam-Laos relationship has become a unique symbol of international solidarity, a priceless shared asset of the two nations, encapsulated in four words: "Comradeship, Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Friendship."

General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his pride and emotion regarding the immense contributions and sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos; affirming that most battlefields on Lao soil bear the mark of Lao and Vietnamese soldiers; remembering the impressive images in history of soldiers from both countries standing shoulder to shoulder, sharing the same trenches, sharing joys and sorrows, supporting and helping each other, sharing rice and vegetables, sacrificing for each other to bring independence and freedom to the nation and happiness and prosperity to the people of both countries.

General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his pleasure and appreciation for the positive development of Laos-Vietnam relations in various fields over the past period; he sincerely thanked Vietnam for its unwavering support and assistance throughout history and emphasized that the people of both countries, especially the younger generation who will hold the future of their respective nations, need to deeply understand the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, which is a priceless shared asset of the two peoples, in order to continuously strengthen and cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two countries, and two peoples so that it may continue to develop and bear fruit.

General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the meeting, Major General Huynh Dac Huong, representing the Liaison Committee of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts who assisted Laos, emotionally shared about the days spent fighting alongside the Lao armed forces and people in the same trenches, sharing every bowl of rice, every vegetable, every grain of salt, every sip of water, and even drops of blood to give each other strength, achieving many victories and contributing to the glorious revolutionary cause of the two Parties and two States. Each victory of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers was a victory for the two nations of Vietnam and Laos, just as President Ho Chi Minh taught, "Helping a friend is helping oneself," or as the leaders of the Lao Party and people praised the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, saying that in Laos, there is no place without the footprints of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, and no victory without the sacrifice and contribution of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers.

Comrade Huynh Dac Huong shared that former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos are very excited and proud of the great achievements that the two Parties, two States and the people of the two countries have achieved in the past; happy with the good development of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos in all fields and increasingly going into depth and substance. He affirmed that he always cherishes the sharing of Comrade General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith during the visit of the delegation of former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts to Laos on November 7, 2022, about the Four (04) words of affection in the Laos-Vietnam relationship, which are: Comradeship with a common ideal; Brotherhood with a common origin in the Indochinese Communist Party; Friendship, being close, trustworthy people who share joys and sorrows, sharing "a grain of salt in half, a stalk of vegetable in half"; This special solidarity and friendship stems from the heart, is strong, close-knit, pure, and steadfastly loyal.

Major General Huynh Dac Huong, representing the Liaison Committee, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts who assisted Laos.
Speaking at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Comrade Huynh Dac Huong expressed his belief that, under the wise leadership of the two Parties and States, and with the unity of the people of the two countries, the Vietnam-Laos relationship will continue to develop and bear fruit. He affirmed that former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos will continue to be role models for the younger generation to follow and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of both countries, and continue to preserve and cultivate the Vietnam-Laos relationship, making it stronger than mountains and rivers forever.

Representing former Vietnamese students in Laos, Comrade Nguyen Tien Ngoc expressed his emotion and pride in sharing unforgettable memories of his time studying in Laos. Despite many difficulties, the Lao Party and State always prioritized material support and warm affection, treating Vietnamese students like "family," to encourage them to study well and serve the country and people of both nations in the future.

Comrade Pham Van Luong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, Vietnam News Agency, affirmed that the years spent living and working in the beautiful country of Laos, especially during the most intense period of the resistance war against the US for national liberation, have tempered him and deepened his attachment to Laos as his second homeland. The feelings of filial piety, close friendship, and the attentive care of the Lao people demonstrate a unique and unwavering relationship that future generations must continuously preserve, cultivate, and develop for the benefit of the people of each country, and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Source: dangcongsan.vn