(VNF) - The Vietnam tourism culture days began in Vientiane on July 17^th afternoon as part of activities to celebrate the 55^th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos (September 5^th, 1962) and 40 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (July 18^th, 1977) with the participation of Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

At the opening ceremony of Vietnam tourism culture days in Laos.

Addressing at the opening ceremony, Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said the Vietnam tourism culture days in Laos and vice versa are held annually aiming to strengthen bilateral solidarity and cooperation.

Vietnam tourism culture days in Lao is co-organized by Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

This year, the two nations organised simultaneously the Laos and Vietnamese culture days in both countries during five days. Via the abovementioned events, the people of Vietnam and Laos as well as international friends will have a better understanding of the relationship between the two countries, as well as their natural landscapes, people and cultures.

Laos Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdala said the important event marked the Vietnam-Laos Year of Friendship and Solidarity, which manifests the solidarity between the two countries’ Parties, States and peoples.

Delegates pose for a photo at the Vietnam tourism culture days began in Vientiane on July 17^th.

Visitors can enjoy an exhibition “The Colors of Vietnam” featuring 60 photos about land, people, natural heritage sites and tangible and intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO in Vietnam, as well as a music and dance performance on the relations between Vietnam and Laos.

Alongside art exhibitions and Laotian films screenings, the event will see the music and dance performance of Vietnamese artitsts throughout the region and songs which praise the natural beauty of Laos performed by 36 artists of Vietnam Contemporary Art Theatre.

In parallel with these activities, there are also book exhibitions of 500 titles, including social sciences, literature, history, children's books, books introducting Vietnam and its people, Laos-Vietnam friendship in three languages ​​Vietnamese, Lao and English as well as Vietnam-Laos tourism promotion seminar.

The same day, the fourth Vietnam-Laos people-to-people exchange festival opened in Vientiane, with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in attendance.

He highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries which was founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Suphanuvong.

Despite complex regional and global, the relations between Vietnam and Laos have thrived, he said, adding that the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation is a historical document.

Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association Tran Van Tuy said the celebration of the anniversaries is significant to deepening bilateral rapports./.

At the fourth Vietnam-Laos people-to-people exchange festival opened in Vientiane on July 17^th.

Translated by Minh Chau