On October 30, 1949, the standing board of the Indochinese Communist Party Central Committee decided that the Vietnamese armed forces in Laos would be organized as volunteer soldiers.

From 1949-1953, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and their Lao comrades visited villages, mobilizing people to participate in the resistance war, and build political establishments and the local armed forces. Particularly, the Dien Bien Phu victory and other military victories helped Vietnam and Laos gain diplomatic victories, leading to the signing of the Geneva Accords to restore peace in Indochina.
 

The Laos - Vietnam combatant alliance in the Anti-French Resistance War in 1950. Photo: VNA Files Soldiers of the Laos - Vietnam combatant alliance. Photo: VNA Files Major General Nguyen Trung Vinh (middle) presents the plan to protect Laos’s liberated areas. Photo: VNA Files A unit of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers on the Lao battle. Photo: VNA Files Prince Souphanouvong confers the liberation order to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers of western battle 2. Photo: VNA Files Cadres of the Lao Front of Patriots have a working session with Vietnamese experts. Photo: VNA Files Vietnamese military experts with Lao soldiers. Photo: VNA Files Vietnamese military experts with Lao soldiers on the battle. Photo: VNA The burial ceremony held in Kon Tum province for the remains of 16 martyrs of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died in Laos and Cambodia. Photo: Quang Thai/VNA The burial ceremony for the remains of 104 Vietnamese martyrs who died in Laos is held at the martyr cemetery in Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province. Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA

From late 1954, together with the Lao army, they launched a number of campaigns and attacks against French colonialists and American imperialists, with the legendary Truong Son-Ho Chi Minh Trail becoming a symbol of Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and combatant alliance during the fight against the US.

After Laos was liberated, due to the complex political situation, the Political Bureau of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party officially asked help from Vietnamese soldiers. In that spirit, a defense cooperation agreement between the two defense ministries was signed on September 22, 1977, which was the international legal ground for the presence of the Vietnamese army in Laos. Vietnamese volunteers continued to shoulder with Lao people to build and defend the country till 1987 when they completely withdrew from the country, fulfilling their historical mission.

Reviewing the historical journey, Vietnam always respects the coalition and coordination in the battle with Lao soldiers and people. Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts supported the Lao revolution in building political and military bases, training armed forces and developing the people’s warfare during the two wars. They fought side by side with the Lao armed forces and people against the common enemies in Laos, making contribution to the common victory in the revolutions of national protection and construction of both countries.

Late President Kaysone Phomvihane said: “The Party, State and people of Laos are proud that facing tough challenges over decades, officials, party members, soldiers and people of the two countries have sacrificed everything for the independence of each country”. “The mountain can erode away, the river can dry up, but the Laos-Vietnam friendship will remain forever."
 

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong receives his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith during his Vietnam visit to attend the ceremony to mark the 70th Traditional Day of Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Experts in Laos. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has a meeting Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan glues the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces on the traditional flag of the national liaison committee for former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA The Vietnamese top legislator presents the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to the national liaison committee for former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA The Lao leader presents a gift to the national liaison committee for former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith, former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith has a reception for a delegation of former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

The Lao people have never forgotten that every plot of land in their country has been imprinted with the sacrifice of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers. Their sweat and blood were mixed with Lao soldiers’, said Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith.

In recent years, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been fostered and are regarded as a treasure of each country.
 

Story: VNP - Photos: VNA