Continuing the source of friendship, lighting up the aspirations of Vietnamese and Lao youth

On September 3 in Hanoi, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union jointly organized the exchange program "Former experts, former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Laos and the young generation of Vietnam - Laos".

Attending the exchange program were Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Social Affairs, President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association; Mr. Bui Quang Huy, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; Mr. Boviengkham Vongdara, member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos, President of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association; Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh; Mr. Thongly Xixulith, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, along with many former experts, former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Laos, and members and youth of the two countries.

Vietnam - Laos friendship "no enemy can break"

Speaking at the program, Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh said: "Looking back at the glorious historical journey of the two nations, we are proud of the rare, exemplary, extremely pure and loyal relationship between the two Parties, two States and people of the two countries. This is a priceless asset directly founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong; generations of leaders of the Party, State, army and people of the two countries have worked hard to build, preserve and nurture it with sweat, effort and blood".

Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, spoke at the exchange program. (Photo: Thanh Thao)

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always remember the contributions of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos, and are grateful for the great and wholehearted support of the Lao people in both the resistance war and the cause of national construction and defense. The Truong Son Trail - Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos is a clear demonstration of the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries.

According to him, 2025 is associated with many important events, the two Associations have, are and will organize many diverse activities to strengthen Vietnam - Laos relations, in which education and propaganda about special friendship are the top tasks. This exchange program is both an opportunity to pay tribute to former volunteer soldiers and Vietnamese experts in Laos, support Lao students studying in Vietnam, and promote exchange and cooperation between the youth of the two countries.

He expressed his hope that Vietnamese and Lao youth would continuously study, practice, and master knowledge, science and technology, while preserving national cultural identity, appreciating historical values, and following in the footsteps of their predecessors to build an increasingly strong special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Mr. Boviengkham Vongdara, President of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, spoke at the exchange program. (Photo: Thanh Thao)

Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara said that the Lao people are always excited to see the Laos-Vietnam relationship growing, becoming a priceless asset, contributing to building and protecting the Fatherland and peace, stability and development of the region. He expressed his deep gratitude for the sacrifices of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts: "We will always remember the merits and good feelings of comrades, and will continue to propagate and educate the people about this valuable help."

According to him, the younger generations of the two countries need to deeply understand that the special Laos-Vietnam relationship was built with the blood and efforts of many generations. "We will cooperate with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association to continue to propagate and educate, helping today's and future generations understand their responsibility in preserving and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam," he said.

He affirmed: "The great friendship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam was achieved through sweat, blood and tears - this cannot be broken by any enemy."

At the exchange, former experts and former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Laos recalled the years of "biting a grain of salt in half, breaking a piece of vegetable in half" on the battlefield, contributing to the victory of each country's revolution.

Major General Somphone Keomixay, former President of the Lao National Veterans Association, recalled two profound memories of his time studying in Vietnam. He always remembered the time he met President Ho Chi Minh in 1959 at a school in Thai Nguyen: "When we were gathering at the gate, Uncle Ho suddenly came by boat from Cau River to the school. He asked us: "Do you miss your country and your parents?". We were silent for fear of giving the wrong answer. Only when a Mong student boldly said: "We miss our country and our parents", did Uncle nod in approval, telling us to remember our homeland and parents and study hard to build the country in the future. Then Uncle told us to study and train to become cadres to build the country. He also told the school to teach well, and at the same time take good care of and manage the students."

He also emotionally recalled the memory of 1972 in Hanoi, when the US bombed: "In the shelter, the Vietnamese people and soldiers let us go in first, and then they went in later. I will always remember that protection, it is the love between the two peoples."

Former experts and former volunteers share at the exchange program. (Photo: Thanh Thao)

Lieutenant General Le Van Han, former Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army and Vice President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, stated: The Vietnam - Laos fighting alliance was formed right after the August Revolution in 1945, starting from the meeting between President Ho Chi Minh and Prince Souphanouvong on September 4, 1945 in Hanoi to discuss the fighting alliance, fighting together against the common enemy to protect independence. During the resistance war, on Lao soil, the US imperialists dropped more bombs and ammunition than in Europe during World War II, but it was in that hardship that we gained independence and unity - a living proof of the strength of the Vietnam - Laos fighting alliance. He hoped that the younger generation would promote the advice of their predecessors to be worthy of the glorious history of the two nations.

Colonel Le Quang Huan, former Deputy Director of the Logistics Academy, Deputy Head of the National Liaison Committee of Vietnamese Volunteers and Military Experts in Laos, recalled more than 10 years of fighting on friendly land and deeply understood the four words "love" that General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith once said: comradely love, brotherly love, solidarity, friendship. He said: "In 2005, I returned to Salavan (Laos). An old man nearly 100 years old recognized me and choked up: "Do you remember me? I used to lead you around the village, giving you each handful of rice, each bit of food from my family". The whole village shed tears. The Lao people gave us not only clothes and rice, but also protection and nourishment to complete our mission".

Mr. Nguyen The Nghiep, former Head of the Liaison Committee of Former Vietnam News Agency Experts in Laos, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Vietnam News Agency, recalled the years when Vietnamese reporters fought side by side with their colleagues in Phu Khe cave (Sam Neua), "wearing backpacks, carrying guns, and going to get news from battlefields, hospitals, and schools in the liberated zone". Despite the carpet bombing of the US, the news agency's waves from Phu Khe to Hanoi and vice versa never stopped for a single session. He affirmed: "Helping friends means helping ourselves, because helping the Lao revolution also means contributing to protecting the country from afar for Vietnam".

Young generation joins hands to continue writing the story of friendship

Representing the younger generation, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Bui Quang Huy affirmed that the youth of the two countries need to continue the precious tradition, strive to study, practice and promote their youth in the new era. He emphasized that diverse cooperation programs will continue to be implemented, from training cadres, improving digital transformation capacity, entrepreneurship, community volunteering to environmental protection.

Mr. Thongly Sisoulith, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, also shared his pride when the young people of the two countries met, exchanged and joined hands to foster the great friendship.

Ms. Pham Quynh Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union, President of the Student Association of Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, recounted a volunteer trip nearly 10 years ago in Xaisomboun district (Vientiane). Accordingly, the group organized medical examinations and treatment, provided medicine, guided people in developing their livelihoods, taught, and painted murals at primary schools. "The most profound thing that remains is the warm affection of the Lao people. When we said goodbye, I was given a lucky string to tie around my wrist, I clearly felt the sincere, unforgettable attachment," she said.

Lao students and youth with excellent achievements were awarded scholarships at the exchange program. (Photo: Thanh Thao)

Ms. Maysa Phanthaboouasy, a graduate student at Quang Ninh University of Industry, a TikToker promoting Vietnamese-Lao culture, expressed her wish that the younger generation would foster friendship through practical actions: creating conditions for students from both countries to study and experience each other's culture; organizing volunteer activities to support people in border areas, remote areas; calling on businesses to build schools and medical stations; and using social networks to promote culture, cuisine, and scenic spots. Another suggestion is to open Vietnamese and Lao language classes to facilitate young people's communication and cooperation.

Mr. Choby Vongxay, Head of the Laotian Student Delegation at the University of Transport, Head of the Cultural Delegation of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, said that 7 years of studying in Vietnam gave him many meaningful experiences: "I have participated in many cultural and sports activities, Vietnamese language clubs, and have a better understanding of each other's accents and cultures. I hope that in the future there will be more exchange programs for the youth of the two countries to learn and develop together."

Delegates from both countries sang the song "As if Uncle Ho were here on the day of great victory". (Photo: Thanh Thao)

Within the framework of the program, 20 scholarships were awarded to Lao students and youth with outstanding achievements in Vietnam, further motivating the younger generation to continue writing the story of Vietnam - Laos friendship.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/tiep-noi-mach-nguon-huu-nghi-thap-sang-khat-vong-thanh-nien-viet-lao-216067.html