Prominent figures in attendance at the event were Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and his Lao counterpart Chansamone Chanyalath.

Within the framework of the first friendship exchange, a wide range of major activities are launched such as saluting sovereignty milestones, planting souvenir trees, conducting joint patrols of both nations' border guards, and offering gifts to Lao and Vietnamese students.

During the meeting, the two defence ministers appreciated the results of the 2nd Defence Policy Dialogue, affirming that this is an important mechanism to unify a common perception on regional security issues of shared concern.

Despite suffering the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, defence cooperation between the two countries has been effectively deployed and achieved positive outcomes.

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang emphasized Vietnam's readiness to share difficulties that Laos is facing in the fight against COVID-19. In its capacity, the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam is ready to support Laos both in terms of manpower and resources on request.

According to VNS, Giang also expressed thanks to the Lao Ministry of National Defence for coordinating with its Vietnamese counterpart to successfully organise the first national defence border friendship exchange.

He proposed to boost relations between armies of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, including maintaining regular meetings between national defence ministers of the three countries.

Lao minister Chansamone expressed his delights at the first national defence friendship exchange held between the two countries, saying that it would mark a milestone in lifting the security cooperation between the two countries to a new level.

After the talks, the two ministers signed a protocol on search and rescue cooperation and the Việt Nam-Laos national defence cooperation plan in 2022 and witnessed the signing of the agreement on border guard cooperation between the two countries.

Immediately after the meeting, the two ministers signed a number of important documents to further step up bilateral defence cooperation and cooperation between border guards of the two countries in the coming time.

The organization of the first Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange comes from the direction of the two Parties and States on building a Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship and stability and cooperation for common development.

The exchange program is also part of the defence diplomacy activities launched by the two defence ministries in 2021.

Some photos featuring the exchange event:

The Lao Minister of National Defense of Laos speaks at Primary School No. 2 in Lao Bao town. Photo: VOV

Photo: VOV

The welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at Densavan border gate is solemnly held under the chairmanship of Lao Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath. Photo: VOV

The exchange officially begins with a welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at the Densavan border gate of Laos. Photo: VOV

General Phan Van Giang (L) and General Chansamone Chanyalath. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

Photo: People's Army Newspaper

A ceremony to see off the Vietnamese delegation at the Border Post of Lao Bao International Border Gate. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

General Chansamone Chanyalath chairs the welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

Photo: People's Army Newspaper

The two defense ministers painting the landmark. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

Photo: People's Army Newspaper

Photo: VOV

Vietnam News Today (December 13): Vietnam Sees Boom in E-wallet Market Vietnam News Today (December 13): Vietnam records 14,621 new domestic Covid cases; Vietnam, Laos hold first border defense friendship exchange; Vietnam sees boom in e-wallet ...

Lao Top Legislator's Official Visit to Vietnam Successfully Concluded Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane concludes successful first visit to Vietnam

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong Pushes for Stronger Vietnam – Laos Ties Vietnam strongly and comprehensively supports Laos’ renovation, said General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.