Present at the ceremony were Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Vietnamese Ambassador to Lao Nguyen Ba Hung, representatives from Vietnam’s and Laos’ Party and State agencies, leaders from 10 Vietnamese provinces sharing the borderline with Laos and leaders of 15 Lao provinces.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (third from right) presenting the orders to leaders of 15 Lao provinces
It was part of the activities to mark 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (September 5) and 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18).
The orders, including 11 second-class Independence, 74 third-class Independence and three Labor orders, were in recognition of the Lao officials’ outstanding achievements in enhancing the time-honored friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.
Addressing the ceremony, Secretary of Son La provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Hoang Van Chat said that Son La, one of the ten Vietnamese provinces sharing borderline with Laos, has a good relationship and comprehensive cooperation with eight Northern Lao provinces. The province also has nine districts and cities twinned with Laos’ provinces of Houaphanh, Luang Prabang, Bokeo and Oudomxay.
Chat confirmed that the Party Committees, authorities and people of the 10 Vietnamese provinces always attach importance to fostering and developing their comprehensive relationship with Lao partners.
With friendly ties and comprehensive cooperation, the two sides have enjoyed a stable political situation, serving as a favorable condition for development of each country and a firm foundation for long-term cooperation between the two nations in general and provinces of the two sides in particular.
On behalf of the awardees, Secretary of the Louang Namtha provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the province Phethavon Philavan extended deep thanks to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for offering them the great honor as well as for Vietnamese wholehearted assistance to the Party and State of Laos in general and 15 Lao provinces in particular in the past and at present.
The Lao official believed the friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States are evergreen and the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017 is successful.
Translated by Mai Huong