The event drew the participation of 200 Lao youths, led by Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union Central Committee Sonthanu Thamavong.

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First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee Le Quoc Phong speaking at the opening ceremony 

Addressing the ceremony, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee Le Quoc Phong held that the meeting was to gather the two countries’ outstanding young people and to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The gathering also contributes to deepening the special Vietnam-Laos relations founded by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Lao President Caysone Phomvihane, and fostered by the two Parties, States and peoples; as well as educating youngsters about their tradition of a special fighting alliance in the wars against foreign invaders.

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Scene at the meeting

Since 2012, Vietnam and Laos have brought their youth cooperation into reality, including the youth voluntary programs, promoting living standards in communities and mutual startup projects.

For his part, Sonthanu Thamavong considered the meeting a highlight to boost collaboration between the two countries’ youths and hoped that their young peoples would continue to contribute to the Vietnam-Laos traditional special relationship.

* Previously, Le Quoc Phong and Sonthanu Thamavong co-held talks to review the two countries’ youth cooperation in the past time and map out contents of cooperation in the coming time.

The Vietnam-Laos Youth Friendship Meeting 2017 is scheduled to take place in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces with various activities, such as the signing of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreement in the 2017-2022 period, a painting project to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relationship, and fact-finding tours to study the Vietnam-Laos relations.

Translated by Van Hieu