The Lao delegation was led by General Chansamone Chanyalath, a member of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense. The ceremony was chaired by General Phan Van Giang, a Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Vietnamese Minister of National Defense.
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General Phan Van Giang (first from right) welcomes General Chansamone Chanyalath. |
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General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath review the Guards-of-Honor of the Vietnam People's Army. |
The exchange is being held from October 22 to 23 in Moc Chau District (Son La Province, Vietnam) and Sop Bao District (Houaphanh Province, Laos). This marks the second time that the two countries have organized this event, with the first taking place in December 2021 in Huong Hoa District (Quang Tri Province, Vietnam) and Sepon District (Savannakhet Province, Laos). The first exchange left a deep impression of the strong friendship and solidarity between the militaries and people of both nations.
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General Phan Van Giang (left) and General Chansamone Chanyalath plant a tree of friendship at Long Sap Border Gate |
The second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange is a significant defense diplomacy event in 2024 organized by the ministries of defense of both countries. It reflects the commitment of the two Parties and States to building a Vietnam-Laos borderline for peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and mutual development.
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The two delegations in a group photo |
The event helps reinforce both sides’ policies of strengthening bilateral defense cooperation, which has been recognized as a key pillar in the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. It also aims to further consolidate the close ties between the two countries, especially between authorities and communities along the border area. Additionally, it highlights the responsibility of both nations' border protection forces in enhancing their coordination and effectiveness in managing and safeguarding the border areas and markers, fighting crime, helping residents alleviate poverty, and building a peaceful, friendly, stable, and cooperative, and mutually developed Vietnam-Laos border area.
Translated by Trung Thanh