A ceremony took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 22^nd, to present awards to winners of a writing contest on 50-year relations between Vietnam and Cambodia, which was launched in 2017.

Scene at the award-presenting ceremony (Photo: VOV)

In early 2017, the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army launched a campaign composing literature and art works on Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia fighting solidarity.

The event was in response to the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017 and Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017 as well as the 40^th anniversary of signing Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation and 50^th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties.

Jointly held by the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army and Cambodian Defence Ministry, the awarding ceremony featured a musical show and the presentation of certificates of merit to winning contestants from the Cambodian royal army.

The Cambodian contestants earned five A prizes, 9 B prizes, 13 C prizes and 16 consolation prizes.

Scene at the award-presenting ceremony (Photo: VTV1)

Speaking at the event, Secretary of State at the Cambodian Defence Ministry Neang Phat stressed the sacrifice of the two nations has created traditional friendship and solidarity which have become a valuable treasure which has been nurtured by the two countries’ leaders and people.

The five decades of Vietnam – Cambodia ties reflect bilateral solidarity, friendship, and mutual support, which are continuously consolidated to contribute to the two nations’ security and economic development, he added.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, praised the engagement of the Cambodian royal army in the contest, with 270 contestants submitting many high-quality entries.

Some notable works included Uch Somnang's "Never-Enduring Friendship", Tum Sophol's "Cambodia-Vietnam solidarity in fighting,"etc.

Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on June 24^th, 1967.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two neighbouring countries sharing more than 1,137 km of border lines across ten provinces of Vietnam and nine provinces of Cambodia, adjacent waters and the Mekong river. The two countries also have many cultural similarities, and travelled similar paths to independence in the past as well as in the goal of national development today./.

Translated by Hien Trinh