The person who worked hard to build the bridge of friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos

The rare pure and loyal relationship is a valuable asset for the Vietnamese and Lao peoples on the path of development. It has been continuously built by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, including General Khamtay Siphandone, former Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), former President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and veteran revolutionary of the LPRP.

Born on February 8, 1924, into a family with a tradition of fighting against French colonialism and local feudalism in what is now Champasak province of Laos, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone nurtured a fervent patriotism from an early age. 1947 marked a crucial turning point in his life, the beginning of his arduous yet glorious revolutionary activities, with his decision to join the Lao Issara Front.

Throughout his vibrant revolutionary career, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was entrusted with many important responsibilities, such as: Representative of the Lao Issara Government for the Southern Laos region, Chairman of the Central Region Resistance Committee, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao Issara Front and the Lao Patriotic Front, and Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. He was awarded the rank of General, becoming the highest leader of the Lao People's Liberation Army and subsequently the Lao People's Army.

In his capacities as a member of the Politburo , Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, and the highest commander of the Lao People's Army, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone stood shoulder to shoulder with President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and other leaders of the Lao Patriotic Front to lead the national liberation struggle to victory, completely liberating the country and establishing the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975.

Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was elected Prime Minister on August 15, 1991, and Chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on November 24, 1992.

With his glorious revolutionary career, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone left his mark as one of the first leaders of the Lao revolution, standing shoulder to shoulder with President Kaysone Phomvihane and other leaders, leading the revolutionary movement in Laos to gradually mature, develop, and achieve successive victories, ultimately achieving complete triumph and steadily advancing Laos towards the goal of building socialism.

In an interview with a VNA reporter on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone (February 8, 1924 - February 8, 2024), Comrade Khamphan Pheuyavong, Secretary of the Central Committee and Head of the Central Propaganda Department of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, emphasized that Chairman Khamtay Siphandone was not only one of the first leaders of the Lao revolution, those who built, led, and directed the revolutionary movement in Laos until victory was achieved; but also one of the most talented leaders in researching and formulating policies, especially the reform policies of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

As the head of the Government, then the highest leader of the Party and President of Laos, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone directed the study of the Party's theory, vision, strategy, guidelines, and policies for long-term national development, as well as the socio-economic development plan for each stage, to suit the new economic mechanism, a market economy with state management.

At the 7th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone directed the review of 10 years of reform and adopted five lessons learned from the reform process in Laos, while also issuing the Central Party Resolution on industrialization and modernization of the country.

Not only was Comrade Khamtay Siphandone an exemplary revolutionary and outstanding leader of the Lao people, but he was also a great friend of the Vietnamese people. Together with President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, along with the leaders of both countries, laid the solid foundation and nurtured the exemplary, loyal, and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

In 1947, in Quang Ngai province, as a representative of the Lao resistance government, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone met with Comrade Pham Van Dong, then the Permanent Representative of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in South Vietnam. The two sides agreed on policies, forms, and methods for coordinating mutual assistance in the fight against French colonialism for the national liberation cause of both countries. This meeting marked a significant milestone in the formation of the Vietnam-Lao fighting alliance.

Sharing with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) about the important contributions of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone to the Vietnam-Laos relationship, the Head of the Central Propaganda Department of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Khamphan Pheuyavong, said: During the resistance war for national salvation, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone shared joys and sorrows, standing shoulder to shoulder with Vietnamese military experts and volunteer soldiers in many battles on various battlefields, contributing to the glorious victory of the two nations in the fight against a common enemy. In the cause of protecting, building, and developing the country, he always cooperated closely with Vietnam to exchange and share experiences, support, and help each other.

Chairman Khamtay Siphandone is one of the Lao leaders who has always maintained close and strong ties with Vietnamese leaders throughout history, always caring for, promoting, and contributing to deepening the relationship between the two countries, helping this relationship to flourish and endure.

Chairman Khamtay Siphandone has passed away, but his life of selfless dedication to his country, his people, and the national liberation movement around the world will always be an endless source of inspiration and a great motivation for the young generations of Laos and Vietnam to continue contributing to the building and development of their respective countries, as well as cherishing, preserving, and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nguoi-day-cong-vun-dap-cau-noi-huu-nghi-doan-ket-viet-lao-post870017.html