Vietnam, Laos Forge Stronger Ties for Comprehensive Cooperation
	Vietnamese Language Teaching Training Course Opens for 7 Provinces in Laos

- After attending the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, what are your feelings and impressions?

Lao Minister of Technology and Communications, Chairman of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association, Boviengkham Vongdara. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Today, together with the delegation of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, I was very honored to attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The atmosphere this morning was truly wonderful: the weather was fine, and people from Hanoi and many other provinces and cities filled both sides of the streets. Some had even waited since last night to see the parade. All of this created an atmosphere that was both solemn and vibrant.

The program included a drum and flag performance, recreating the traditions and victorious spirit of the Vietnamese people. Then came the dragon and lion dances - performances rich in Vietnamese cultural identity. The parade with military units and modern technical equipment showed me the growing strength of Vietnam’s armed forces, with many types of modern weapons and equipment, including missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and more.

What impressed us most and made us especially proud was that many types of equipment were produced domestically in Vietnam, by Viettel Group and other defense industry enterprises. This reflects Vietnam’s strong progress in scientific and technological capacity as well as defense potential. We are truly confident and delighted with these achievements, and we also see them as a source of encouragement for the nation-building and development efforts of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

The Truong Son missile system, researched and manufactured by Vietnam, at the parade. (Photo: VOV)

- How do you assess the current people-to-people relations between Vietnam and Laos?

The relationship between the peoples of Laos and Vietnam has very deep roots, but the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation were founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong. This relationship has been nurtured through many generations of leaders, by the sacrifices of the armed forces, volunteer soldiers, and the peoples of both countries in the struggle for independence. Therefore, this is an immensely valuable legacy for both peoples. Today, that legacy continues to be consolidated by the present generation and the younger generation who are growing up. In the context of peace and favorable conditions for development, we are promoting cooperation in socio-economic fields, science and technology, and digital transformation.

A favorable aspect is that Laos-Vietnam people-to-people relations are oriented and led by the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, which have set out strategies to strengthen solidarity between the two countries. The policies of both sides share the common goal of building socialism. The systems of mass organizations and socio-political organizations of the two countries, from central to local levels, maintain close and friendly relations, regularly exchange delegations, pay visits, share information, exchange experiences, and support each other.

However, today’s global context is complex and volatile, with hostile and reactionary forces still spreading distorted propaganda to slander Laos-Vietnam cooperation. Therefore, it is imperative to resolutely counter these attempts while intensifying political and ideological education for the younger generation, enabling them to gain a correct understanding of the special Laos–Vietnam friendship. This special solidarity represents an essential principle of development for both countries, only by preserving and nurturing it can we move forward together. Accordingly, particular emphasis must be placed on youth education.

- As Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos and concurrently President of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association, what are your aspirations for advancing cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in the fields of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the coming period?

In my role as Minister of Technology and Communications, we have had very good cooperation with our Vietnamese partners. Specifically, we have cooperated with the Ministry of Information and Communications previously, and later with the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

We have signed a cooperation agreement between the two Ministries. At the same time, our departments and institutes also have many joint projects and have signed specific cooperation agreements. Most importantly, at the government level, we have signed an Agreement between the two Governments on Digital Partnership. This is Vietnam’s first digital partnership agreement with another country, aiming to promote cooperation programs with Laos in digital transformation.

Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung (left) and Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara (right) sign the Vietnam–Laos Digital Partnership Agreement on January 11, 2023. (Photo: Government Portal)

Currently, the Internet Center and Cybersecurity Center of the two sides are working closely together. Vietnam has supported the building of a cybersecurity system for Laos, which has now been put into operation. In addition, there has been support in applying digital technology to distance education and in deploying digital technology systems for the education sector.

Recently, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam also assisted the Lao Ministry of Public Security in building a national population data center and issuing ID cards for citizens. This is an important foundation for building digital transformation infrastructure in Laos. At present, Laos is implementing digital transformation in three main directions: digital transformation in governance and public services, building a digital economy, and developing a digital society. For all three goals, we will cooperate with Vietnam in implementation.

- On the occasion of the 80th National Day, what message would you like to send to the people of Vietnam?

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the Party, the State, and the brotherly people of Vietnam, especially comrades working in the field of science and technology and our friends in the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

I wish Vietnam continued great success in its socio-economic development, achieving the planned GDP growth, and bringing ever greater prosperity and happiness to its people. I wish the Party and the State continued success in leading and directing the development of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ever more strongly in accordance with the Resolution of the Party Congress.

Most importantly, I wish that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam will continue to flourish, remain evergreen, and endure forever.

- Thank you very much!

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