Defence Ministry marks 70th founding anniversary of Lao army

The ceremony to mark the founding of the Lao People's Army

The function was chaired by Deputy Defence Minister Col Gen Phan Van Giang and attended by Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Thongsavanh Phomvihane and representatives of Viet Nam’s military units and central agencies.

Addressing the ceremony, Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Thongsavanh Phomvihane expressed his delight to take part in the event, which he said reflects vividly the close and traditional relationship between Vietnamese and Lao military officers and soldiers.

The Lao people will never forget the sweat and blood that Vietnamese military personnel have shed in Laos, which has cultivated the faithful and special Viet  Nam – Laos ties, he affirmed.

He affirmed that the Lao people will never forget the sweat and blood that Vietnamese soldiers left on his country’s soil to build up this special relationship of solidarity and faithfulness.

Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army and Deputy Defence Minister Phan Van Giang recalled the Lao army’s history and tradition over the past seven decades as well as the special solidarity shared between Viet Nam and Laos and between their armies.

He affirmed that during the 70 years, under the two parties’ leadership and people’s support, the two armies have stood side by side with mutual respect and trust to overcome the hardest challenges on their way to the final victories.

Given the complexities in the region and in the world in the coming time, he recommended the two armies continue working closely to build and protect the Viet Nam – Laos borderline of peace, friendship, stability and development. 

The Vietnamese general emphasised that the two armies should forge closer cooperation in the future to prevent regional and global risks from affecting each country’s defence.

By Vien Nhu