On April 11th, the Lao Embassy in Hanoi solemnly celebrated Laos’ Traditional New Year festival, Bun Pi May, in Hanoi, in the presence of Mr. Le Hong Anh, Politburo Member, Tong Thi Phong, National Assembly Deputy-Chairwoman, Vice-President Nguyen Thi Doan and Mr. Somphone Sichaleune, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam.
The event also saw the presence of former experts and volunteers, who fought and worked in Laos in wartime and Lao students in Vietnam.
Bun Pi May annually takes place in April. During the festival, the Laotians pray for favourable weather, heavy crops and good health. Members in families will tie threads around the wrists of the elderly and relatives, visit relatives and friends and go to pagodas to pray for health, luck and prosperity for their family.
At the ceremony, Mr. Somphone Sichaleune warmly thanked the present leaders of Vietnam’s Party and State, ministries, and central and local agencies in the ceremony. He said that the event is an excellent opportunity for the two countries to review results of Laos-Vietnam cooperation relations over the last year. He also affirmed that traditional ties, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation of the two countries are continuously improving.
He said that to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Laos-Vietnam diplomatic ties (1962) and the 35th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (1977), the two countries decided to choose 2012 as the “Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year”. Accordingly, the two countries will hold activities to promote friendship of the two countries.
Also on the occasion, Mr. Somphone Sichaleune congratulated significant achievements by Vietnamese people over the past years and hoped that Vietnamese people will obtain greater achievements in the cause of national construction and defence in the direction of industrialisation and modernisation, and successfully implement the 11th Party Congress Resolution.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, Vice-President Nguyen Thi Doan sent the wish of happy, successful and prosperous New Year to leaders of the Lao Party and State and its people. Mrs. Doan congratulated Laos’ important achievements by Lao people over the past years, which are the important grounds for the cause of industrialisation and modernisation of Laos.
Mrs. Doan pledged that Vietnamese people will stand side by side with Lao people to preserve and promote the long-lasting tradition of special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.
Source: CPV
Translated by Tran Hoai