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During the State visit to Vietnam on Sep 11 in Hanoi, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thongloun Sisoulith, met with former volunteer soldiers, Vietnamese experts, and representatives of the younger generations from Vietnam and Laos.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, To Lam, along with leaders from both parties and states; representatives of volunteer soldiers, experts from Vietnam in Laos, members of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, and youth from both nations were present at the meeting.

The program was jointly organized by the Ministry of National Defense, the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

General Secretary and President To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith attended the meeting. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith reviewed the history of the special solidarity tradition between Laos and Vietnam. The relationship was founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong. It has been diligently cultivated by generations of leaders of the two Parties, States and Peoples, tested through the fire of revolutionary struggle with the sweat and blood of Lao and Vietnamese soldiers.

The Lao General Secretary and President said that this special relationship has become a unique symbol of international solidarity, a priceless common asset of the two peoples, summarised by the four words of affection: comradeship, solidarity, brotherhood, and friendship.

"Comradeship is the crystallization of our ideals: revolutionary ideal, socialist ideal, and communist ideal. Special solidarity is demonstrated through the fighting alliance when the assets, lives, and blood of the two nations are sacrificed for each other unconditionally. Brotherhood is mutual support and assistance as the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once said: "Laos - Vietnam are blood brothers," stated the Lao leader.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith spoke at the meeting. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Expressing his emotion and pride in the great contributions and sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith recalled the image of Lao and Vietnamese soldiers fighting side by side, sharing a trench, sharing joys and sorrows, even a grain of rice, a stalk of vegetables are divided for two, sacrificing for each other to bring independence and freedom to the two nations and happiness and prosperity to the two peoples.

"There is no victory in Laos without the mark of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers", the Lao General Secretary and President emphasized. He deeply thanked the sincere and wholehearted support that Vietnam has given to Laos throughout history.

In his speech, the Lao General Secretary and President called on all people of the two countries, especially the young generation, to understand the invaluable value of the relations, constantly cultivate, strengthen, and protect the bilateral friendship, make it greater and more special, and protect it against any hostile forces.

Major General Huynh Dac Huong, recognized as a Hero of the People's Armed Forces and serving as the Head of the National Liaison Committee for Former Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts in Laos, addressed the gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the meeting, Major General Huynh Dac Huong, representing the National Liaison Committee for Former Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts in Laos, spoke with emotion about the years spent fighting alongside the Lao armed forces and civilians. He reminisced about the times when Vietnamese volunteers, along with Lao soldiers and citizens. They shared everything, from simple meals of rice and vegetables to grains of salt, sips of water, and even blood, stimulating each other to achieve remarkable victories that contributed to the revolutionary endeavors of both nations.

Major General Huynh Dac Huong emphasized: “Every victory of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers on Lao soil is also a victory of both nations, just as President Ho Chi Minh taught: "Helping friends is helping yourself". Throughout Laos, there is no place without the footprints of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, there is no victory that is not associated with the sacrifices and contributions of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers".

Major General Huynh Dac Huong expressed that the former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos feel immense excitement and pride over the significant accomplishments attained by both nations and their people recently. They are also pleased with the robust development and deepening of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos across various domains.

He is confident that with the prudent guidance of both Parties and States and the shared will of their peoples, the Vietnam-Laos relationship will prosper and yield ongoing benefits. The legacy of former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos will inspire the younger generations to dedicate themselves to the noble task of nurturing and defending the socialist homelands of both nations, further solidifying the Vietnam-Laos bond, an alliance stronger than mountains and rivers.

Delegates attending the meeting. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking on behalf of former Vietnamese students in Laos, Nguyen Tien Ngoc spoke movingly of his time studying there. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Lao Party and State consistently prioritized providing resources and fostering a familial warmth, described as "children of the family." This support motivated Vietnamese students in Laos to pursue their studies under favorable conditions, ultimately contributing to the future of both nations and their peoples.

Pham Van Luong, the Deputy Head of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association at the Vietnam News Agency, reminisced about the unforgettable memories from his time in Laos, particularly during the intense resistance war against the USA to protect the nation. He conveyed his profound appreciation to the Lao people, who embraced him and his comrades as if they were their own offspring, reflecting the faithful, genuine, and exceptional bond between the two nations.

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