The 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Days in Vientianne, themed ‘Forever green and forever sustainable friendship between Vietnam and Laos’, officially opened in the Lao capital on July 29^th.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ho Chi Minh City Days in Vientiane. (Source: NDO)

The event was attended by Deputy Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang; Lao Politburo member, Secretary of Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of Vientiane Sinlavong Khouphaythoune; and Vietnamese Ambassador in Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang emphasised that Ho Chi Minh City always pay special attention to enhancing the relationship with Laos in general and Vientiane in particular.

Regular visits made by leaders of the two cities and the cooperation projects have been successfully implemented, contributing to the prosperous development and fine relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane, he added.

At the ceremony, Mayor of Vientiane Sinlavong Khouphaythoune affirmed that the ‘Ho Chi Minh City Days in Vientiane’ programme will significantly contribute to tightening the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, particularly the two cities.

The delegates are visiting the exhibition. (Source: NDO)

After the opening ceremony, the delegates visited an exhibition entitled ‘Forever green and forever sustainable friendship between Vietnam and Laos’. On display are photos featuring the support and cooperation activities for socio-economic development between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane as well as highlighting Ho Chi Minh City’s achievements in the cause of building and developing the southern city.

The exhibition also introduces Vietnamese cuisine and traditional musical instruments as well as cultural products and handicraft products of Ho Chi Minh City, including gemstone paintings, embroidery works and rice paintings.

An arts performance at the opening ceremony. (Source: NDO)

In addition, a wide variety of meaningful activities was held during the event, including the Trade and Tourism Promotion Conference between Ho Chi Minh City and Laos and an arts programme celebrating the 55^th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Laos bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City, led by Deputy Secretary of the City’s Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang, is paying working visits to Vientiane, Champasak province, Savannakhet province and Xiangkhouang province from July 25^th to August 1^st./.

VNF/NDO