The third Vietnam-Laos People’s Friendship Festival opened in Hanoi on July 16.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vu Trong Kim, president of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association (VLFA) and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, highlighted the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship which was founded and nurtured by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Cayson Phomvihan as well as their successors.

The solidarity and mutual support has helped both countries achieve great successes in the past struggle for national independence and the current process of national construction and development, he said.

Kim urged both Parties, States and peoples to maintain and boost the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam, Somphone Sichaleune expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s assistance to its revolutionary cause and said his country will educate the younger generations about the friendship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam.

Within the framework of the festival, the delegates will pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and attend meetings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35th year of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

They will also visit Tan Trao, a former revolutionary base, and the Lao historical relics in Tuyen Quang province.

This year’s event, jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, offers a chance for both sides to exchange experience in implementing friendly activities and discuss ways to bring bilateral relations to a new height.

(VOV)