Attending the Congress were Politburo member, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man; Academician, Professor, Doctor Boviengkham Vongdara, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Minister of Technology and Communications, President of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao PDR to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang; representatives of the leaders of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Central and local departments, ministries and branches; representatives of provincial and municipal associations, and affiliated units...

At the Congress, delegates listened to the Summary Report of the 4th Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association's work, term 2014 - 2023 and the working direction of the 5th term, term 2023 - 2028.

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

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 Party and State of Vietnam, Permanent 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 hopes that the Association needs to continue to thoroughly grasp and grasp the foreign policy and high-level agreements of the two Parties and States of Vietnam and Laos, apply them creatively and flexibly, and have appropriate models and methods; further promote education and propaganda work among the people, especially the young generation of the two countries, about the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

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

Along with that, all levels of the Association in the country, especially the Association in the border provinces, need to further deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two sides, organize more cultural exchange activities, youth exchange, training, human resource development, healthcare, information technology, environmental protection, etc.

Speaking at the Congress, Comrade Boviengkham Vongdara, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Minister of Technology and Communications, President of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, wished that the two Associations would continue to closely coordinate and organize many practical and effective activities; propagate and educate so that the people of the two countries can have a deeper understanding of the history of the formation of the friendship, solidarity, loyalty and purity between the two nations, as a basis for future generations of the two countries to continue to preserve and promote together, especially contributing to the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam to continuously blossom and bear fruit, forever green and everlasting.

Recognizing the contributions of collectives and individuals in strengthening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries, the Congress awarded the First Class Labor Medal of the Lao PDR to Mr. Tran Van Tuy, President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association; and the Friendship Medal of the Lao State to 17 individuals.

The Congress also awarded the Friendship Medal of the State of Vietnam to 15 individuals from the Lao PDR; Certificates of Merit of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to 15 groups and 13 individuals; Medals for Peace and Friendship among Nations - a noble award of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to 12 individuals.

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

Author: Nguyen Van Chien