Deepening the special friendship between Son La and the provinces of Laos

On December 2, 1975, the event of declaring the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic became a brilliant milestone in the history of the Lao national revolution, marking the glorious victory of generations of cadres, soldiers and people in the heroic struggle against the invading imperialists under the leadership of the Lao People's Party (later renamed the Lao People's Revolutionary Party).

Tay Bac University awarded certificates of merit to Laotian students with many achievements in study and training.
Photo: PV

Immediately after gaining independence, in September 1945, the French colonialists returned to invade Indochina for the second time. Under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, the people of Vietnam and Laos continued to carry out the revolutionary task of national liberation. The people of all ethnic groups in Son La province, under the direction of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam , welcomed, secretly sheltered, and protected comrade Cay Xon Phom Vi Han and the Lao Bac Assault Team during their stay in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune. From here, the Lao Bac Assault Team began to operate to build revolutionary bases, build forces, and resistance bases in the areas of Hua Phan province and the provinces of Northern Laos, marking a new period of development, contributing significantly to the victory of the Lao revolution.

On September 5, 1962, Vietnam and Laos officially established diplomatic relations; on July 18, 1977, the Governments of Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Together with the provinces bordering Laos, Son La province has continuously cultivated special friendship and signed comprehensive cooperation with 9 provinces of the neighboring country, including: Hua Phan, Luang Prabang, Udomxay, Bo Keo, Luang Nam Tha, Phong Sa Ly, Xieng Khouang, Xay Nha Bu Ly, Say Xom Bun.

Comrade Nguyen Van May, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said: Having a border with the Lao PDR, Son La province has many similarities in natural and social conditions with the neighboring provinces, which are favorable conditions for the two sides to strengthen friendship and comprehensive cooperation in all fields. In recent years, the Party's foreign affairs and State diplomacy have been given special attention by Son La province, maintaining and expanding cooperative relations with embassies of countries and international organizations in Vietnam, especially the solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Son La province and the provinces of the Lao PDR.

Since the beginning of the year, Son La province has established 19 delegations led by leaders of departments, branches, sectors and localities of the province to work in the Lao PDR; organized receptions and worked with 44 delegations from provinces of the Lao PDR to visit, work and participate in activities in Son La province; issued congratulatory letters and directed departments, branches, districts with cooperative and twinning relations, border districts, (new) border communes with the province, universities and colleges in the province to organize activities to celebrate the occasion of Lao Bunpimay New Year 2025 and the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao PDR. Issued congratulatory letters to the success of the Party Congresses for the 2025 - 2030 term of 9 provinces of the Lao PDR with which Son La province has cooperative relations.

In particular, there are many important and comprehensive cooperation programs between Son La province and the Northern Lao provinces in all fields. Typically, Son La province has allocated budget funds to help the Northern Lao provinces build infrastructure. The works and projects bearing the mark of friendship over the years between Son La province and the Northern Lao provinces, such as: Luang Prabang Provincial Political - Administrative School; Hua Phan Province Television Transmitting Station; Phong Sa Ly Provincial Ethnic Boarding School; low voltage station and power grid supplying Phieng Sa area, Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province; repair and upgrade of Muong Et ferry; Udomxay Provincial Political - Administrative School; headquarters of the Military Command of Vieng Kham district, Luang Prabang province...

Special National Monument of the Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Relic Site in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune.
Photo: PV

Cultural diplomacy, border and national territory work in Son La province continued to be well maintained. In the period of 2020 - 2025, many activities were organized by Son La province in coordination with Lao provinces. Notable events include: the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Vietnam - Laos Diplomatic Relations, the 45th Anniversary of the Signing of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty and the Receiving of the Certificate of Ranking of a Special National Monument for the Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Relic Site in Lao Kho Village, Phieng Khoai Commune, Son La Province; the 2022 Cultural - Tourism Festival with the theme "Son La - Luong Pha Bang Love Song" in Luong Pha Bang Province; the 2024 Cultural - Tourism Festival in Hua Phan Province; successfully coordinated the organization of the 2nd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program in 2024 in Long Sap Commune.

In the fields of culture, education and health, Son La province has increased the reception and training of human resources from neighboring Lao provinces. Implementing the minutes signed between Son La province and the northern Lao provinces, from 2001 to present, Son La province has trained over 2,300 Lao students to graduate from intermediate, college, university and master's degrees; over 4,000 Lao students have been trained in Vietnamese. Currently, there are over 600 Lao students studying at the following schools: Tay Bac University, Son La College, Son La Medical College.

Mr. Quang Van Lam, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, informed: The enhancement of exchange and cooperation in the field of education has been and is being implemented by Son La province in coordination with the provinces of Northern Laos. Many Lao students after graduating and returning to work in the country have held important and key positions in State agencies, serving well the cause of building and developing the Lao PDR.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao PDR (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2025), the delegation of Son La province led by the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee visited and congratulated the Lao Embassy in Vietnam; sent congratulatory letters on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao PDR to the Lao Embassy in Vietnam and 9 provinces of the Lao PDR with which Son La province has cooperative relations. Universities and colleges in the province also organized activities to celebrate the Lao National Day. At the program, schools reviewed the tradition of solidarity, friendship and special cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, between Son La province and the northern provinces of Laos; and the results of training Lao students at vocational schools in the province. Organizing cultural and artistic exchange activities, awarding scholarships and gifts to Lao students, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere, fostering the friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

The great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, between Son La province and other provinces of Laos have been developing steadily over time. This is not only a valuable asset of the two peoples but also a great driving force for both peoples on the path of national construction and development.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/doi-ngoai/tham-tinh-huu-nghi-dac-biet-son-la-voi-cac-tinh-nuoc-ban-la-X0oiZJZDg.html