The event began with a solemn welcoming ceremony at Thanh Thuy Border Gate for the Lao delegation, led by its Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Khamliang Outhakaysone. The ceremony was chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang.
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General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation arrive at Thanh Thuy Border Gate to welcome the Lao delegation. |
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General Phan Van Giang welcomes General Khamliang Outhakaysone at Thanh Thuy Border Gate. |
At Thanh Thuy Border Gate, General Phan Van Giang and General Khamliang Outhakaysone planted a friendship tree at Border Marker No.460 area, then both sides posed for a group photo.
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Members of the Vietnamese delegation welcome General Khamliang Outhakaysone to Nghe An province for the friendship exchange activities. |
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The two deputy prime ministers and defense ministers of Vietnam and Laos plant a friendship tree at Border Marker No.460 area. |
Following the ceremony, the two leaders participated in various meaningful exchange activities in Nghe An province, such as visiting and presenting gifts to the Border Post of the Thanh Thuy International Border Gate, attending a preliminary review ceremony on the twinning relations between residential clusters along the shared borderline, joining a groundbreaking ceremony for Thanh Ha Kindergarten, visiting the Kim Lien Special National Relic Site, and holding bilateral talks.
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The two delegations in a joint photo |
Taking place on July 9 and 10 in Bolykhamxay province (Laos) and Nghe An province (Vietnam), the third exchange program continues to serve as an effective cooperation model. This politically-significant event helps concretize the common perceptions of both nations’ high-ranking leaders, aiming to foster increasingly substantive defense ties.
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General Phan Van Giang and General Khamliang Outhakaysone encourage students attending the welcoming ceremony. |
Following the success of the 2021 and 2024 editions of the exchange program, this year’s event seeks to enhance political trust, solidarity, and practical cooperation between the border guard forces, local authorities, and border residents, contributing to building a Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development.
Translated by Minh Anh