Comrade Khamtay Siphandone made significant contributions to building the Vietnam-Laos relationship.

Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was a humble and compassionate leader who cared deeply for the country and its people, especially the former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who lived and fought in Laos.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh signs the condolence book at the Lao Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: Hang Linh/VNA)

On April 2, 2025, Khamtay Siphandone, one of the pioneering leaders in building Laos' revolutionary path, former Party Chairman and President of Laos, passed away at the age of 101.

A reporter from the Vietnam News Agency interviewed Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Long, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, about his feelings and unforgettable memories of the very simple and compassionate leader who cared deeply for the country and its people, especially the former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who lived, fought, and worked in Laos.

But What were the Lieutenant General's feelings upon hearing the news of the passing of former Lao Party Chairman and President Khamtay Siphandone?

Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Long: Upon hearing the news of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone's passing, I was deeply moved.

Despite having endured countless hardships and difficulties, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone lived a long life and was a very noble and knowledgeable man.

I participated in the resistance against the Americans and fought in Laos. I went to Laos in April 1964, returning to Vietnam several times for treatment of my wounds before going back to the battlefield. I only returned to Vietnam in 1973. When I went to Laos on duty, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was already the Minister of Defense of Laos.

Vietnamese volunteers in Laos were always educated to understand the contributions of the Lao Party, State, and People's Army leadership. We always held Comrade Khamtay Siphandone in high regard and respect.

During my time fighting in Laos, I had the opportunity to interact with Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, albeit at a very low rank. One particularly memorable experience was after four years in Laos, when I was around 22-23 years old, serving as a reconnaissance company officer in the 174th Regiment, stationed in Xieng Khouang, near the internal supply route of our revolutionary forces. One day, my unit assigned me and six other comrades to monitor a stretch of road several kilometers long.

A group of seven Lao officers passed by, saw us, and stopped to rest for about 15-17 minutes. The leader of the group asked us very kindly and warmly about our living conditions and combat operations.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Long, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, answers questions from a reporter of the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA)

At the time, we didn't ask the commander's name, and only later did we learn that it was a delegation from the Lao Ministry of Defense, led by Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, passing through.

He asked about our hometowns, emphasizing that the Vietnamese and Lao people share a common border and have respected each other since ancient times.

I recently reflected that Vietnam shares land borders with three countries, with the Vietnam-Laos border alone stretching over 2,000 km and remaining fundamentally peaceful for thousands of years. This further deepens my appreciation for the friendship between the people of the two countries.

Comrade Khamtay Siphandone also shared that the two nations have a long-standing relationship of solidarity and brotherhood.

Only later did I realize that such a simple statement could highlight the entire history of relations between the two countries. Comrade Khamtay Siphandone also said that the Lao people are very grateful to the Vietnamese soldiers.

Comrade Khamtay Siphandone encouraged us in a simple way: "When you go to live with the Lao people, treat them as your parents, as your brothers and sisters, cherish and trust each other, and eat whatever they have."

He encouraged us, saying that although the soldiers had rations, there were times of difficulty when we should go to the Lao people, share whatever we had, and that the Lao people were ready to share and support the Vietnamese soldiers.

In particular, he also instructed us: If possible, immerse yourselves in the Lao people, learn how they utilize all the products that the mountains and forests provide, from animals to vegetables and fruits… Young soldiers, go among the people, learn about their lives so that when difficulties arise, you can help each other.

These simple yet heartfelt words were a great source of encouragement and motivation for our soldiers. Although the conversation lasted only a few minutes, it allowed us to clearly feel the genuine affection of a high-ranking leader of the Lao People's Army and Party towards the Vietnamese soldiers. His words were like those of a father speaking to his son – warm, understandable, and sincere, without formality or distance.

That story has left a lasting impression on me, and it has made me appreciate and admire Comrade Khamtay Siphandone even more.

Later, after completing my assignment and returning to civilian life, I joined the Liaison Committee of Volunteer Soldiers and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association. Therefore, I also went to Laos many times to carry out people-to-people diplomacy.

Every time I return, for each specific task, I always try to arrange my schedule to visit former leaders of the Lao Party and State.

I have visited Comrade Khamtay Siphandone's hometown three times with the delegation of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

President Luong Cuong pays respects to former Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former President of Laos, Khamtay Siphandone. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

Recalling their conversation from years ago, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was deeply moved and said that he trusted the Vietnamese soldiers to successfully complete their mission, even though they were all in their twenties.

My impression of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was one of simplicity, unpretentiousness, and the love he showed for both Vietnamese and Lao soldiers.

But General, what are your impressions of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone's leadership role in the Lao revolution, as well as the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos?

Lieutenant General Nguyen Tien Long: I believe that Comrade Khamtay Siphandone plays an extremely important role for the Party, the State, and the people of Laos, as well as the people of Vietnam.

The entire development of the Lao army and revolution was due to the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, including the direct leadership and command of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

We felt that very strongly when we went to Laos as soldiers, as combatants, and had the opportunity to interact directly with our comrades.

Later, as I matured and took on more important responsibilities in the military, I continued to receive information about the solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, and I always recognized that within the leadership of the Lao Party and State, along with Comrade Kaysone Phomvihane, Comrade Souphanouvong, and other key leaders, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone played a very important role, undertaking significant responsibilities in many areas, especially the military field.

He made immense contributions to the building of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and directly contributed to the development of the Lao People's Army.

The Vietnam People's Army was established early, forming regiments and divisions, while Laos, during its resistance war, did not have sufficient forces to do so.

But I have observed that through close coordination and joint combat with the Vietnam People's Army, the Lao army has matured rapidly.

The Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front have decided to observe a national mourning period for Comrade Khamtay Siphandone from April 4-5, 2025. (Photo: Flags are flown at half-mast at the headquarters of the Hanoi People's Committee. Photo: An Dang/VNA)

This is the achievement and work of the collective Party and the entire Lao People's Army, with Comrade Khamtay Siphandone playing the leading and direct role when he was directly entrusted by the Lao Party and State with the responsibility of leading and commanding the army.

I remember that throughout the entire resistance war against the French and the Americans, we conducted many major campaigns in Laos, but especially the campaign to liberate Nam Bac in Upper Laos.

This campaign was of great significance, helping us achieve a great victory, and the Laotian army captured the most prisoners of war in all the battles fought in Laos.

It was only later that I learned that the Lao Ministry of Defense, specifically Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, had participated in leading that campaign and emphasized to all forces involved that: Win the battle, but also try to capture as many prisoners as possible to re-educate them and bring them back to the revolutionary cause.

I also participated in the campaign, serving in the reconnaissance company of the 174th Regiment, in an area where the most prisoners of war were captured, numbering in the thousands.

Winning victories without annihilating the enemy, instead capturing many prisoners and winning them over to join the revolution. This viewpoint of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone is extremely dialectical and humane in a country with a small population but facing enormous enemies. This is a unique and distinctive feature in Comrade Khamtay Siphandone's guiding ideology.

Looking back at the life and revolutionary career of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, I appreciate him even more and see his great stature in the Lao revolution, as one of the key contributors to building the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

In particular, I believe that you also have great faith in our brotherly country, Vietnam. Your experience on the battlefield further demonstrates your deep attachment to, respect for, and trust in Vietnam. You are also one of the leaders who have guided generations of Lao cadres, soldiers, and the Lao people, as well as generations of Lao people, to respect, cherish, protect, and develop the "Vietnam-Laos solidarity and friendship relationship so that it remains ever-lasting and enduring."

- Thank you very much, Lieutenant General!

Source