PANO - 41 years ago, on December 2, 1975, the Lao National Congress issued a historic resolution on the foundation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), based on its struggling method “Avoiding crumpling lotus and muddy water."

That is one of the landslide victories that the Lao people have won under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The historical event also officially put an end to the domination of colonism and imperialism in the country, which marked the completion of the Lao national democratic revolution and opened up a new era for the Lao people. Since then, the Lao people have become the master of their own destiny and the independent country.

The celebration of the 41st National Day of the LPDR (December 2, 1975-2016) in Thai Nguyen

As of the 1930s, revolutionary movements of Laos and Vietnam were closely connected and directed by the Indochina Communist Party. The special relationship between Vietnam and Laos was founded and fostered on the basis of the Marxism, Leninism and prolitarian internationlism. The two peoples have since then been united and shared with each other both bitters and sweets. Many generations of Vietnamese troops overcame difficulties and hardships to come to Laos and stand along with their brotherly Lao people and army to fight the common enemies, contributing to the great victories of the Lao people in the two national resistance wars against the French and American invaders. The saying “Sharing a rice bowl and a grain of salt,” which praises the Vietnam-Lao noble friendship and depicts the mutual material and spiritual support in the most difficult years, has become the immotal symbol of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

This has become a good tradition, a clear mirror, a precious symbol, and invaluable heritage of the special united war-fighting alliance between Vietnam and Laos. This alliance has been tested by the flame of long-time fierce wars witnessing great heroism and huge losses of Vietnamese and Lao soldiers and people. The struggles for national independence and freedom led by the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and participated by the Vietnamese and Lao peoples have been recorded on the golden pages of the history of each country.

Regarding the special, deep and fast relationship between Vietnam and Laos, President Kaysone Phomvihane once said, “In the history of the world revolution, there were a number of bright examples of proletarian internationalism but there has never been such a special long-standing comprehensive united war-fighting alliance. This is an objective reality, a development law of the revolution of the two nations.”

Addressing the celebration of the 41st National Day of the LPDR (December 2, 1975-2016) held in the Vietnamese province of Thai Nguyen, Dr. Vilayvong Buddakham, member of the Party Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, affirmed that bearing in mind the very thought of President Ho Chi Minh, “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom,” Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong could lead the Lao people from victory to victory.

Over the past 41 years, the traditional friendship, special unity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam have continuously been consolidated and expanded in all fields despite complex developments in the region and world. At a recent meeting to celebrate the Lao National Day in Hanoi, chargé d'affaires of the Lao Embassy Phomma Sitsena stressed, “We have deeply perceived that the Lao people have owed the successes over the past 41 years to the great and valuable support and assistance of the Vietnamese Party, State and brotherly people.”

The region and world are changing fast that posing both opportunities and challenges to the two countries. Against this backdrop, we should restlessly foster the traditional clear, faithful friendly relationship and special unity between Vietnam and Laos for interests of each nation and for peace, stability, cooperation and progress in the region and world. The Vietnam-Lao inseparable friendship has been summed up in President Kaysone Phomvihane’s saying, “Rivers may dry up and mountains may wear out, but the Vietnamese and Lao peoples’ affection and gratitude will stay forever.”

Translated by Thu Nguyen