Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Lao NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotu attend the opening ceremony for the festival. The event
is part of four main activities organised to celebrate the 55th anniversary
since the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years since
the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation in Son La
province.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Nguyen Ngoc Thien and Chairman of Son La provincial People’s Committee Cam
Ngoc Minh emphasised that the solidarity between the two nationals was first
established, preserved and nurtured by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and
Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, as well as the following
generations of leaders and citizens of the two countries.
The
special relation between the two countries has developed continuously and has
become an invaluable common asset of Vietnam and Laos, proving to be a major
factor in ensuring the victories of the two nations, they added.
An arts
programme at the opening ceremony, themed ‘Vietnam-Laos Friendship Song’,
featured the participation of artists from Son La province and Lao
localities, left great impressions on the audience.
The
festival features a wide variety of activities, including a programme
promoting Vietnamese cultural and tourism products, an arts photo exhibition
introducing the people and the potential of ten of the Vietnamese provinces
sharing their border lines with Laos, as well as public arts programmes.
On the
same day, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, NA Chairwoman Nguyen
Thi Kim Ngan presented 11 Independence Orders (second class), 74 Independence
Orders (third class) and three Labour Orders (first class) to the leaders of
15 Lao provinces for their outstanding achievements in enhancing the
traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two
countries over recent years.
The
Vietnamese legislative leader also offered incense at the Son La Prison
Cemetery in remembrance of the war heroes and martyrs.
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