Chinese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City Wednesday, April 30, 2025. - AP
HO CHI MINH CITY: Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, led a Lao delegation joining Vietnamese leaders and thousands of other participants at a national ceremony and parade held in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday (April 30).
The historic event took place to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification and was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Party Central Committee, National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and Ho Chi Minh City authorities.
The event was attended by representatives of numerous countries, a large contingent of Vietnamese and foreign media personnel, and the general public, with a large-scale parade of military personnel adding a dramatic touch to the grandiose spectacle.
Prior to the ceremony, President Thongloun met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 29 when he recalled the significance of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his profound gratitude to the Lao Party, state, and people for their wholehearted support to the Vietnamese people, both during the past struggle for national independence and in ongoing efforts towards national construction and development.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for Laos in its efforts to bolster national defence, construction, reform, and development.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing relationship between Laos and Vietnam, highlighting the significant progress made in various fields in recent times, which has laid a solid foundation for both countries to confidently advance into a new era of national development.
President Thongloun noted that the Spring 1975 victory was not only a glorious chapter in Vietnam’s history but also a pivotal moment for Laos, adding that the ceremony was an opportunity for both nations to remember their shared revolutionary past and reinforce their enduring alliance and unity.
The visit to Vietnam by President Thongloun and his delegation served as a powerful reaffirmation of the Laos–Vietnam bond, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and mutual development in the years ahead.
The presence of the Lao President at the celebrations was a powerful testament to the enduring solidarity between the Lao and Vietnamese people.
The President and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Vietnamese leaders, reflecting the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between the two countries.
During his visit, President Thongloun also held high-level talks with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam.
The meeting took place in a spirit of camaraderie and solidarity, underscoring the strong political trust between the two Parties and states.
The leaders exchanged views on current global and regional developments, reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation, and charted the course for future collaboration across key sectors including defence, security, foreign policy, trade, education and culture.
President Thongloun also presented medals of honour to Vietnamese leaders and former senior officials on behalf of the Lao Party and government.
The awards recognised their invaluable contributions to fostering the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.
Another highlight of the President’s visit was the inauguration of Wharf No. 3 at the Lao-Viet International Seaport on the Vietnamese coast, which President Thongloun described as a significant political event and a vivid symbol of the enduring partnership between Laos and Vietnam.
He observed that the port is a strategic project that has the potential to further strengthen economic integration and cooperation between the two countries.
President Thongloun reaffirmed Laos’s unwavering commitment to preserving and nurturing the unique relationship with Vietnam.
He stressed the importance of continued coordination between the two governments and the effective implementation of high-level agreements, bilateral treaties, and cooperative programmes, and called on ministries, agencies, and local governments in both countries to actively contribute to these efforts. - Vientiane Times
