On the morning of November 24th, the Liaison Committee of Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts Assisting Laos in Son La Province organized a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the tradition of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts assisting the Lao revolution (October 30, 1949 – October 30, 2024) and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Son La Provincial Liaison Committee of Volunteer Soldiers (2014 - 2024). Attending the ceremony were Mr. Le Hong Minh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives from the Central Committee of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association; and over 400 delegates representing the Vietnamese volunteer forces from Son La Province assisting Laos, along with officials and students from northern Lao provinces studying in Son La Province.
At the commemoration ceremony, delegates reviewed the formation, development, and special friendship tradition of the Vietnamese volunteer forces and military experts who assisted Laos. Accordingly, on October 30, 1949, the Central Committee of the Indochinese Communist Party decided to establish "Vietnamese military forces sent to perform international duties in Laos," named the Vietnamese Volunteer Army.
Over the past 10 years since its establishment, the Liaison Committee of Volunteer Soldiers of Son La Province has brought together generations of veterans who participated in international missions in Laos to help impoverished members improve their lives and develop their family economies. They have organized visits to former battlefields; raised funds to support books and school supplies for 50 Lao students in border provinces and disadvantaged Lao students studying in Son La Province. To date, the province has 69 liaison committees at the commune and ward levels.
Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts from Son La province made significant contributions to supporting Laos in building political foundations, revolutionary bases, consolidating armed forces, and developing people's war to meet the requirements of the national liberation struggle. The glorious and heroic historical tradition of generations of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts serving internationally in Laos continues to be preserved, promoted, and passed on to younger generations, building and nurturing the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, ensuring it remains ever-lasting and enduring.
Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, Comrade Le Hong Minh acknowledged and praised the achievements of the Liaison Committee over the past 10 years. He also urged the members of the Son La Provincial Volunteer Soldiers' Liaison Committee to uphold the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," to unite and support each other, and to gradually build a prosperous life. He encouraged them to continue to be a connecting link, further strengthening the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, and between Son La province and the fraternal Lao people.
Performed by: Manh Tien