The special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos stems from the strategic geographical location and cultural similarities of the two countries: both nestled against the majestic Truong Son mountain range; the people of both countries possess compassion and tolerance; their cultures share many similarities; they have a long tradition of friendly relations, mutual support, and protection; and in the late 19th century, both were invaded and subjected to brutal French colonial rule.

Leaders from Son La province (Vietnam) and Hua Phan province (Lao People's Democratic Republic) visited the Memorial House of the Vietnam-Lao Revolutionary Historical Site, a special national historical monument.
Photo: PV

The founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930) marked the beginning of a glorious chapter in the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos. In October 1930, the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam decided to rename the Communist Party of Vietnam to the Communist Party of Indochina. The struggles of the Vietnamese and Laotian people influenced each other, contributing to the development of the revolutionary movements in each country. The establishment of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945) and the Government of Laos (October 12, 1945), along with the aspirations of both sides to build a more perfect and solid relationship, were among the foundations that elevated solidarity and mutual assistance to the level of a fighting alliance.

After regaining power, the governments of the two countries signed the Laos-Vietnam Mutual Assistance Treaty and the Agreement on the Organization of the Laos-Vietnam Joint Army, laying the first legal foundation for cooperation, assistance, and a fighting alliance against the common enemy of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples. On September 23, 1945, the French colonialists opened fire and occupied Saigon, then expanded the war to the entire Indochina region. On November 25, 1945, the Central Executive Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party issued the Directive on Resistance and National Construction to guide the national liberation cause of the three Indochinese countries. The directive advocated: "Unifying the Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos front against French aggression." On October 30, 1949, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party decided that the Vietnamese military forces sent on international missions in Laos would be organized into a separate system and named the Volunteer Army.

The Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia People's Alliance was formed on the principles of voluntarism, equality, mutual assistance, and respect for each other's sovereignty, working together to drive out colonial and imperialist invaders and achieve genuine independence for the people of Indochina. On May 7, 1954, the Dien Bien Phu stronghold was completely destroyed, forcing the French government to sit down at the negotiating table. Therefore, the International Conference on Ending the Indochina War opened in Geneva on May 8, 1954. The opposing side was compelled to sign a joint declaration and agreements on ending the war in Indochina. France and the participating countries committed to respecting the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. This was a crucial international legal basis for the people of the three Indochinese countries to move forward in achieving independence and completing national reunification.

In response to the new developments in the Lao revolution, the founding congress of the Lao People's Party was held from March 22 to April 6, 1955, in Sam Neua province. From the end of 1958, the US imperialists and their henchmen intensified their subversive activities, gradually abolishing the signed national reconciliation treaties, ultimately brazenly eliminating the coalition government and national reconciliation. The Central Committee meeting of the Lao People's Party (June 3, 1959) determined that the revolutionary struggle of the Lao people was entering a new phase, shifting from primarily open and legal struggle to primarily armed struggle, combined with other forms of struggle.

These victories represent a new stage of development for the Lao revolutionary forces, and at the same time affirm the immense strength of the solidarity in combat between the armies and peoples of Vietnam and Laos. This demonstrates Vietnam's most sincere and unwavering affection for the Lao revolutionary cause, as Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane stated during the talks between the Lao People's Party and the Vietnamese Labor Party (December 1968): “Vietnam's assistance to the Lao revolution has been extremely dedicated and selfless. Vietnam has helped Laos both materially and with its blood. The blood of the Vietnamese people has stained the land of Laos red for its independence... Vietnam's assistance to Laos has built a special relationship; this is also a correct application of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism.”

The victory of the Vietnamese people in liberating South Vietnam on April 30, 1975, was the impetus for the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to decide to launch a nationwide uprising by the entire Party, people, and army to seize power and achieve complete victory on May 5, 1975. The establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, was a great and thorough victory for the Lao people and ethnic groups, and also a significant victory for the special relationship, the alliance, solidarity, and unwavering loyalty between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

President Ho Chi Minh spoke of the profound and great affection between the two countries: "Though mountains may separate us, we will climb them; though rivers may cross them, we will traverse them; though passes may go through them, Vietnam and Laos, our two countries, have a friendship deeper than the Red River and the Mekong River."

Nguyen Thai Ha(Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department)