Special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam a priceless legacy

This story marks the Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 and celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Laos-Vietnam Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

Lao and Vietnamese soldiers join forces to fight foreign aggressors.

The two nations of Laos and Vietnam have forged an unalloyed model of solidarity that is rarely witnessed anywhere else in the world.
This valuable relationship is considered a priceless legacy to be treasured by both nations.
The traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries has been cherished and built upon by generations of leaders of the two Parties, States and Peoples.
Leaders of the two nations, such as President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong and President Ho Chi Minh, together created the special solidarity from their powerful minds, and this was part of efforts to liberate their countries from the yoke of foreign aggressors. This special solidarity was forged in a difficult situation even as Laos and Vietnam cooperated to fight the great enemies in Indochina.   
Besides supporting each other through revolutionary anti-colonial anti-imperialist struggles, the outstanding relationship between the two nations has further deepened and expanded after they officially signed their Friendship and Cooperation Treaty on July 18, 1977.
Good neighbours since ancient times, the countries formally established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962.
As in the past, the new generation of leaders of the parties and states of the two nations have recognised the achievements of cooperation in both the old and new eras.
On April 26  in Vientiane, the prime ministers of Laos and Vietnam launched the Lao-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017. This year recalled the successful cooperation between the two sides in all fields during the past 55 years, and the two countries have also signed the strategy of cooperation in different periods of time. One of several important strategies of cooperation during 2011-2020 was human resource development in education.
Speaking at the launch, former Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said the Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017 was an occasion to declare to the world the importance of the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
He said the scope of relations between the two countries had been expanding and deepening since the establishment of diplomatic ties and signing of the treaty in 1977.
The close ties had been bringing practical benefits for both peoples.
Former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc described the commemorative year as a further milestone in marking great strides achieved amid the special solidarity of the two countries.  
Former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also said that over the past 55 years, the two countries had deepened and expanded traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in all its aspects.
He described the achievements of cooperation between the two countries as a priceless asset created together by generations of Lao and Vietnamese leaders, armed forces and civilians from all walks of life.
The accomplishments of the two countries have brought practical benefit to the people of both sides, especially in the new era of national construction and defence from 1975 until the present.
After Laos and Vietnam struggled to free themselves from foreign aggressors and finally succeeded in 1975, both continued to work together to face difficulties, including economic crises, and moved onward to the current era thanks to the maintenance of harmonious relations and win-win cooperation.
As both Parties and States began to implement their respective renovation policies in 1986, the two sides consulted on policy directions and various views for achieving comprehensive renewal in both countries in order to ensure increased modernisation.
The two Parties and States have continued to exchange useful lessons in support of each other’s aspirations and a multitude of mutual assistance policy measures have been put into practice.
The two countries have been proceeding side by side, in support of each other, on the path of renewal, with comprehensive cooperation bringing many positive results to both.
This cooperation has continued to greatly contribute as a causal factor in national protection for both sides, from the laying of the initial foundations for the socialist-oriented market economy to the continuous improvement of people’s living standards.
In the context of the rapidly changing situation in the region and the world, Laos and Vietnam have set up mechanisms for close cooperation, ensuring mutual benefits on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The two countries have maintained regular contacts among top ranking Party, State and National Assembly leaders respectively, through official friendship visits, working visits and exchanges.
Regular exchanges and dialogue are also held at the ministry and provincial levels. 
The two countries have established an intergovernmental committee as a mechanism to put into practice the directions of high ranking leaders and to concretise comprehensive cooperation between the two sides, outlining the approach for each phase, period and year.
The intergovernmental committee has conducted annual sessions in both countries.
Looking back on the achievements over the ages from ancient days to today, both sides can be proud of extraordinary efforts over many generations in developing, nurturing and cultivating the special Laos-Vietnam relationship.
Such special solidarity and fine relations can rightly be seen as a model for beneficial bilateral relations across the globe.
Each new generation is called on to cherish and care for the friendship to allow it to flower anew and afresh forever.
As such, we must continue consolidating this traditional comradeship to keep it flourishing today, tomorrow and in the future.
Source: Propaganda and Training Board of the Party’s Central Committee in 2022

By Phon Thikeo
(Latest Update April 22, 2022)