Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung Speaks at the Event

The reception was attended by General Chansamone Chanyalath, Political Bureau Member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Laos; General Vilay Lakhamphong, Political Bureau Member, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Security of Laos; along with numerous leaders from the Lao Party, National Assembly, Government, Front, ministries, central agencies, the capital Vientiane, and other localities of Laos.

In his speech at the reception, Vietnamese Ambassador in Laos Nguyen Ba Hung recalled the words of Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith: "Between Laos and Vietnam, there are four bonds: Brotherhood, Comradeship, Friendship, and Solidarity." He affirmed that based on these four noble bonds, the people of Vietnam and Laos have shared a strong attachment, standing shoulder to shoulder, sharing hardships and joys, dividing even the smallest resources to achieve independence, freedom, and national unity. Today, they continue to support each other with sincerity and dedication in the cause of building and defending their nations. It is because of this bond that every Tet holiday, the Embassy and the three Consulates General of Vietnam in Laos organize a year-end party for their most beloved Lao comrades and friends.

According to the Ambassador, in 2023, Vietnam and Laos continued their efforts to overcome many difficulties and challenges, achieving significant accomplishments: political and social stability, maintaining national defense and security, sustained economic growth at a relatively high pace, and continuously strengthening and enhancing their position and reputation in the region and internationally.

Building on the success of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship Solidarity Year 2022, the relationship between the two countries in 2023 has been continuously strengthened and developed. Political relations increasingly play a core and guiding role in the overall cooperation relationship while defense, security, and foreign affairs cooperation have become more cohesive and in-depth, achieving positive results and serving as one of the crucial pillars in the relationship between the two countries. Also, economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to be promoted, becoming a long-term foundation in the relationship between the two countries; cultural, educational, health, scientific, technical cooperation, and collaboration between organizations and localities have achieved many positive results, complementing each other's advantages in the process of innovation and development, making significant contributions to improving the lives of the people in both countries, and positively contributing to the cause of peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress worldwide.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that with the achievements made in 2023, the Year of the Dragon 2024 will bring new and vibrant energy to both Vietnam and Laos. In particular, Laos will achieve great success in its role as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024, and the two countries, Vietnam and Laos, will continue to stand side by side, making new strides in the construction and defense of each nation's homeland. The special, loyal, and pure relationship, rare in international relations, between Vietnam and Laos will be further strengthened and elevated to new heights.

Ambassador Nguyễn Bá Hùng and senior Lao leaders pose for a commemorative photo at the event

On behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, Ambassador Nguyễn Bá Hùng expressed profound gratitude to the Lao Party, State, and people for their invaluable, timely, and effective support and assistance to Vietnam and the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos over the years. He also expressed confidence in continuing to receive support and cooperation in the future.

General Chansamone Chanyalath expressed his delight at the significant and comprehensive achievements made by the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam in 2023, asserting that these results are the outcome of the wise and talented leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the governance of the Government, and the unity of the entire Vietnamese population. He emphasized that these great achievements will continue to serve as a crucial foundation for building Vietnam into a modern industrialized nation, achieving the goals of prosperity, strength, democracy, justice, and civilization.

On behalf of the Party, the State, and the entire Lao people, General Chansamone Chanyalath also expressed profound gratitude to the Party, State, and the fraternal people of Vietnam for their immense, timely, and effective support in the past revolutionary struggle for national salvation, as well as in the current mission of protecting and developing Laos. He emphasized the firm belief that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam will continue to be enhanced with new quality, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

In a warm, sincere, friendly, and comradely atmosphere, guests attending the Spring Gala for the Year of the Dragon 2024 raised their glasses to wish for the eternal vitality, everlasting sustainability of the great Vietnam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. They enjoyed traditional Vietnamese dishes, listened to songs about the solidarity and friendship between the two countries, and participated in lively and joyous traditional Lamvong and Basalop dances performed by the fraternal Lao people.