Attending the Congress were Comrade Tran Thanh Man, Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Academician, Professor, and Doctor Boviengkham Vongdara, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Minister of Technology and Communications, and Chairman of the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Association; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang; representatives of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, central and local ministries and agencies; representatives of provincial and city associations, and affiliated units...

At the Congress, delegates heard the report summarizing the work of the 4th Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, term 2014-2023, and the work plan for the 5th term, 2023-2028.

The Congress elected the Executive Committee for the 2023-2028 term, consisting of 73 members. In Son La province, Mr. Le Hong Minh – Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of Son La Province – was elected as a member of the Executive Committee for the 5th term. Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, was elected as Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association for the 5th term, 2023-2028.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man acknowledged, commended, and highly appreciated the activities of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association achieved during the 2014-2023 term.

Speaking at the Congress, on behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man acknowledged, commended, and highly appreciated the meaningful activities and practical results achieved by the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association during the 2014-2023 term.

The Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his wish that the Association should continue to thoroughly understand and grasp the foreign policy guidelines and high-level agreements of the two Parties and States of Vietnam and Laos, applying them creatively and flexibly, with appropriate models and approaches; and further promote education and propaganda among the people, especially the younger generation of both countries, about the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

The 5th National Congress of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, term 2023-2028

Furthermore, all levels of the Association nationwide, especially those in border provinces, need to further deepen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two sides, organize more cultural exchanges, youth exchanges, training and development of human resources, healthcare, information technology, environmental protection, etc.

Speaking at the Congress, Comrade Boviengkham Vongdara, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Minister of Technology and Communications, and President of the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Association, expressed his hope that the two Associations would continue to cooperate closely and organize many practical and effective activities; to propagate and educate the people of both countries to have a deeper understanding of the history of the formation of the friendly, solidarity, loyal, and pure relationship between the two nations, as a basis for future generations of both countries to continue to preserve and promote it together, especially contributing to the continued flourishing, evergreen, and enduring nature of the special Lao-Vietnam relationship.

Recognizing the contributions of collectives and individuals in strengthening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and the peoples of the two countries, the Congress awarded the First Class Labor Order of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Mr. Tran Van Tuy, Chairman of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Association; and the Friendship Order and Medal of the Lao State to 17 individuals.

At the Congress, the Friendship Order of the State of Vietnam was also awarded to 15 individuals from the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations were awarded to 15 collectives and 13 individuals; and the Commemorative Medal for Peace and Friendship Among Nations - a prestigious award of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations - was awarded to 12 individuals.

Mr. Phan Anh Son (second from the right), President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, presents a commemorative flag to the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

Author: Nguyen Van Chien