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Guided by its motto, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association has organized numerous creative and cohesive activities. One notable example is the Vietnam - Laos People's Friendship Festival, held every five years, alternately between the two countries. The festival features a variety of activities, such as cultural exchanges, experience-sharing conferences, and visits to historical revolutionary sites, attracting a large number of participants from both countries and fostering a friendly atmosphere filled with brotherly affection.

The programs "Following the Footsteps of Leaders" and "Returning to the Root" hold profound educational significance. These journeys have deepened the younger generation’s understanding of the Vietnam - Laos friendship. Consequently, individuals from both countries have become more aware of their responsibility to protect, preserve, and develop this special relationship in the new context.

Leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam and Laos took a group photo at the 5th Vietnam - Laos People's Friendship Festival in 2022.

To encourage the public to learn about the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, the Association has organized numerous competitions highlighting the relationship between the two nations. Notably, the "Vietnam - Laos in My Heart" contest in 2007, marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. This contest attracted over 2 million participants, instilling pride in the unique relationship between the two countries.

In 2022, the Association collaborated with the VietnamTimes magazine, the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, and the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Vietnam to host the "Memorabilia Tell Stories" contest. This event received more than 6,000 entries, sharing simple yet profound stories of comradeship, friendship, love, and teacher-student relationships during challenging historical periods.

Training the younger generation, particularly Lao students studying in Vietnam remains a priority for the Association. It has organized various seminars, exchanges, and competitions to explore the history of the bilateral relationship. The 2011 competition, themed "Ho Chi Minh - Kaysone Phomvihane - Models of Learning for the Youth," drew nearly 5,000 Vietnamese and Lao students, educating them about the revolutionary careers and the close bond between the two leaders.

In 2017, to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Association held a ceremony to honor Lao students with outstanding academic achievements. This event aimed to instill traditional values, train the younger generation about the Vietnam - Laos relationship, and promote the emulation movement for studying and practicing in educational institutions with Lao students.

In 2019, the Association partnered with the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Hanoi to organize a Vietnamese Speaking Contest for Laotian students studying in Hanoi. That same year, the Association collaborated with the Ministry of Education and Training to hold a nationwide "Vietnamese Speaking Contest for Laotian Students in Vietnam."

Sai Khoong Sai Na Sin, Director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos, Vice President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association (far left), and Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Long, Vice President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association (far right), presented certificates and commemorative medals to the authors who won the Impressive Prize at the "Memorabilia Tell Stories" contest in 2022. (Photo: Thu Ha).

In addition, visits to revolutionary sites, cultural exchanges, and seminars have played a significant role in fostering national pride and encouraging the spirit of learning and training among the young generations of both countries.

The Association has organized numerous activities to express gratitude to individuals and groups who have contributed to the Vietnam-Laos relationship. In 2010, for the first time, the Association fully sponsored the visit to Vietnam of 10 Lao citizens who had sheltered and assisted Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and welcomed 20 former Lao students back to Vietnam.

Together with the Central Association, local units regularly visit and encourage former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who worked in Laos and propose forms of commendation or posthumous awards for them.

In recognition of the contributions of the Association at all levels, the Party and State of the two countries have awarded the Association noble awards, including the Second-class Labor Medal (2005), First-class Labor Medal (2015) of the State of Vietnam; Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam in the "Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Years" (2012, 2017); Third-class Itsa-la Medal (2012) and Friendship Medal (2019) of the State of Laos.

In the new period, the Association will continue to promote its role as a solid bridge, contributing to the strong development of Vietnam - Laos relations, for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region.

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