50 years of Lao PDR: Courage, intelligence and achievements bearing the mark of the times

General Secretary To Lam - Photo: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

50 years ago, under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, headed by President Kaysone Phomvihane, the Lao people rose up in revolt, seized power for the people, overthrew the monarchy, completely liberated the country from the domination of feudalism, imperialism and colonialism, and gave birth to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

This is a brilliant milestone, opening a new era in the land of Champa, an era of independence, freedom and building a fair and civilized society, where the Lao people truly master their own destiny.

From its predecessor, the Indochinese Communist Party, born in 1930, with correct, creative, courageous and intelligent guidelines; promoting the tradition of heroic and resilient revolutionary struggle of the Lao people; with the support and assistance of international friends, including the great, wholehearted and selfless support and assistance of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has steered the Lao revolutionary boat firmly through the storms, achieving great, comprehensive and solid victories.

After nearly 40 years of implementing the renovation policy, from an agricultural economy under siege and embargo, Laos has strongly risen to become an independent, economically autonomous country; from a country that mainly imported goods from abroad, Laos has become an agricultural exporting country.

Social and political stability, national defense and security are maintained, the economy grows, people's lives are constantly improved, and average income per capita has increased nearly 20 times over 40 years.

To date, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has relations with more than 150 political parties in the world, the Lao People's Democratic Republic has diplomatic relations with 151 countries, has 41 Lao embassies in dozens of countries and is a member of many international organizations. The successful organization of many important international conferences is a testament to the great and proud changes of the beautiful country of Laos.

In recent years, under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, headed by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith , the Lao Party, State and people have resolutely implemented the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, helping the country overcome many difficulties and challenges, especially in the recovery period after the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining political stability, consolidating national unity, promoting socio-economic growth, improving people's lives and constantly enhancing Laos' position in the international arena.

At the same time, by firmly implementing the strategic vision, building the country into a "connected nation", increasing investment in connecting infrastructure, developing economic corridors, and recently rearranging the model of the political system, the Party, State and people of Laos are creating new momentum for growth, expanding development space, helping Laos participate more deeply in regional economic flows, affirming the integration capacity of a dynamically developing country.

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic is a long enough journey to demonstrate the mettle, intelligence, stature, and leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as the decisive factor in all victories of the Lao revolution, leading the Lao people to successfully carry out the national liberation struggle in the past as well as in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today, engraving in the heroic history of the country and people of Laos brilliant milestones.

Historical practice also shows that the achievements of the Lao Revolution and the Vietnamese Revolution both bear the mark of the important and effective contributions of each Party, State and people of the other country. In his speech welcoming the 4th National Congress of the Vietnam Workers' Party (1976), President Kaysone Phomvihane affirmed: " In every success of the Lao Revolution, there is a direct contribution of the Vietnamese Revolution."

As two close neighboring countries with friendly relations and a tradition of solidarity, mutual support and assistance in the spirit of "biting a grain of salt in half, breaking a vegetable in half"; the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam share the same origin as the Indochinese Communist Party, which was diligently cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong.

Throughout the history of each country, since their founding, the two Parties have always been united together, leading the armies and people of the two countries "side by side", "sharing weal and woe", "going through life and death together", with the iron will that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" to defeat the common enemy, gain complete victory, liberate their nations; at the same time together to build and develop the country in the new situation.

The historic turning point event, the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, played a significant role and contributed to the complete victory of the Vietnamese revolution, liberating the South and unifying the country on April 30, 1975.

On the contrary, the victory of the resistance war against the invaders to liberate the South and unify Vietnam was closely linked to the selfless help and great sacrifices of the Lao people along the Ho Chi Minh trail in the West of Truong Son on Lao soil, under the rain of bombs and bullets from the common enemy. President Ho Chi Minh's viewpoint " We consider the happiness and prosperity of our Lao brothers as our own" [1] and his guiding motto "helping friends is helping ourselves" were understood by generations of leaders and people of the two countries Vietnam and Laos, and were the source of strength that led the revolution of each country to victory after victory.

The two countries are making all-round preparations to successfully organize the National Party Congress, marking the entry into a new era, an era of development, for peace, stability, sustainable development, high quality and improvement in all aspects of people's lives.

In the context of the world and regional situation continuing to develop in a complicated and unstable manner, with increasing challenges and an increasingly tense regional security environment, in order for each country to successfully achieve its goals, promoting the special Vietnam-Laos relationship is of particular importance.

Promoting the precious traditions and combined strength of the two countries, constantly and creatively applying historical experiences, continuing to build and firmly consolidate the special solidarity between the two peoples. From there, multiply the pride of generations of Vietnamese and Lao people, especially the young generation, to continue to preserve and nurture the special relationship to new heights, becoming a great new strength and driving force for the two countries to overcome all difficulties and challenges, bringing the country to increasingly sustainable development, deep integration with the region and the world, successfully building socialism in each country.

Continue to review and promote substantive and effective cooperation in all fields; focus on areas that can promote the strengths and fundamental favorable conditions of each country, appropriately combine international practices and customs, and give high priority to each other, in accordance with the special nature of Vietnam - Laos relations.

Focus on economic development cooperation, maximize the potential of each country to contribute to the growth target. Coordinate to strengthen security and order, maintain political stability in each country, contribute to maintaining a peaceful environment in the region and the world.

Strengthen cooperation in politics, Party building, government, culture, health, education, national defense and security. Enhance the responsibility of competent agencies in implementing Agreements and Agreements between the two Parties and the two States. Continue to strengthen comprehensive relations and exchange lessons on theory and practice, strengthen cooperation in human resource training, especially high-quality human resources, to meet the requirements of national development in the digital age.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the 105th anniversary of the President's birthday Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13, 1920 - December 13, 2025), the Party, State and people of Vietnam are happy and excited about the glorious achievements that the Lao Party, State and people have achieved over the past 50 years.

At the same time, we firmly believe that, under the wise leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will continue to gain great victories in the cause of defending and building the country, bringing Laos steadily forward on the path of socialism, a rich people, a strong country, a united, unified, democratic, equitable and civilized society.

Promoting the traditional special relationship, the Party, State and people of Vietnam pledge to do their utmost to nurture the Vietnam - Laos friendship to be evergreen and everlasting, worthy of the special relationship that President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and the people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate.

[1] Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 10, p. 416

TO LAM, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM