Festival to celebrate Vietnam – Laos special friendship
The Vietnam-Laos special friendship festival 2023 will take place in Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue from December 11 – 15, as part of the activities to celebrate the 61-year diplomatic relations and 46 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.
A Vietnam - Lao art performance exchange - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam-Laos special friendship festival 2023will take place in Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue fromDecember 11 – 15, as part of the activities to celebrate the 61-year diplomatic relationsand 46 years of thesigning of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.
The information was announced by Deputy Director General of the Authority of Foreign Information Service at the Ministryof Information and Communications Dinh Tien Dung at a press conference on November 6.
To be jointly held by the Ministry of Information and Communications and theprovincial People’s Committee, the event aims to promote the image of Vietnam’sinnovation and development and spotlight the Vietnam – Laos traditionalfriendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.
Participants at the press conference on Novemver 6 (Photo: VNA)
The festival’s organising board will further promote information activities focusingon three pillars: strengthening Vietnam - Laos cooperation in the field ofinformation and communication; boosting investment, trade and tourism promotionactivities between the two nations in general and Vietnamese and Lao border localities;and people-to-people exchanges, especially those inborder areas.
It will also include a pho꧋to exhibition, a trade fair, a science ♒seminar, and anart performance exchange.
These activities will highlight the history anddevelopment of the Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam special friendship, and outstandingachievements in information and communication cooperation between the twocountries.
On the occasion, the two sides will discuss prospects and challenges to Vietnam- Laos press and media cooperation, as well as solutions to expand cooperation inthis area in the coming time. Digital transformation trends in journalism andcommunication, as well as the role of information and popularisation inpromoting trade and investment ties between the two countries, will be alsotabled.
The festival is expected to contribute to further deepening thetraditional friendship,💖 special solidarity and comprehensive coไoperationbetween the two countries./.
The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) Central Committee jointly organised the Vietnam-Laos youth friendship meeting 2023 in Vientiane on October 10.
Standing member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Secretariat Bounthong Chithmany hosted a reception in Vientiane on October 11 for a delegation from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCM CYU) Central Committee led by its First Secretary Bui Quang Huy.
Lieutenant General Le Duc Thai, Commander of the Vietnam Border Guard force, held annual talks with Director General of the Lao Border Military Department Major General Siphan Phoutthavong in Luang Prabang on October 24.
Minister of Public Security General To Lam on October 26 hosted a reception for the out-going head and deputy head of the Representative Agency of the Lao Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam, Phayvanh Sitthi Chanh and Sakda Xayyasongkham.
A musical exchange programme honouring Vietnam - Laos special relations was held by the Vietnamese culture centre in Laos and the Vietnam National Drama Theatre in Vientiane on October 29.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
A Vietnam - Lao art performance exchange - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
Participants at the press conference on Novemver 6 (Photo: VNA) 
