Lao Vice Chairman of National Assembly: Vietnam’s 80-Year Achievements Are Source of Encouragement for Lao People
	Affection of International Friends

Returning to Vietnam to attend the 80th National Day Anniversary at the invitation of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, Major General Somphone Keomixay, former President of the Lao National Veterans Association, brought with him memories that never faded: the time he met President Ho Chi Minh in Thai Nguyen, the protection of the people of Hanoi amid bombings, and his faith in today’s young generation of Vietnam and Laos.

In the late afternoon of August 31, we met Major General Somphone Keomixay at his hotel, shortly after he landed in Hanoi. At the age of 89, long-distance travel was exhausting, but he still carried a warm and generous spirit, ready to share his profound memories of Vietnam - a place he considered his second homeland.

Major General Somphone Keomixay, former President of the Lao National Veterans Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Joining the revolution at the age of 14-15, his whole life was tied to the military. Yet, whenever he recalled his years of studying in Vietnam and meeting President Ho Chi Minh, Major General Somphone’s eyes lit up with emotion.

He recounted that from 1957 to 1960, he studied general education in Thai Nguyen; afterwards, he attended the Son Tay Infantry Officer School, then the Nguyen Ai Quoc School. Those years became invaluable experiences that accompanied him when he returned to Laos to serve, eventually holding the positions of Vice President and then President of the Lao National Veterans Association.

In his memory, there were two unforgettable moments.

The first was meeting President Ho Chi Minh in 1959 when the President visited the cultural school in Thai Nguyen. He recalled: “That day, we gathered early, all waiting at the gate, but Uncle Ho came by boat along the Cau River to the back entrance. It was such a surprise! He asked: ‘Do you miss your country, miss your parents?’ We remained silent, afraid to answer incorrectly. Only when a Mong student boldly said: ‘We do miss our country and our parents,’ did Uncle Ho nod and praise: ‘That’s right! One must not forget the homeland, because it is where we were born and raised. Parents gave us life and nurtured us, so of course we must remember them!’

Then Uncle advised us to study and train well to become cadres for national development. To teachers, he instructed them to teach well so students could excel. To the school, he urged careful care and management. Finally, he said: ‘I wish you good health! I will return now!’ and then he left by boat.”

According to Major General Somphone, during his studies in Thai Nguyen, many mothers around the school cared for the Lao students. Many did not speak the language well or fully understand everything, but the mothers always helped with kindness, explanations, and guidance. “This also reflected the tradition of solidarity between our two neighboring countries, Laos and Vietnam, always helping each other,” he said.

The second memory took place in Hanoi in 1972, when the US bombed the North. “That afternoon, right after class ended, the sirens wailed. Vietnamese civilians and soldiers, along with us, ran into shelters. But what touched me was that they let us go in first, entering only after. If the bombs had struck, the Vietnamese would have faced greater danger. I will always remember that protection - it was the bond of blood between our two peoples,” he said.

From those memories, Major General Somphone had a message for the younger generation of Laos: they must study and train diligently to carry on the mission of building and defending the Fatherland, while also preserving the special Vietnam–Laos friendship. He noted that many Lao students are now studying alongside Vietnamese students at universities, eating together, learning together, and sharing experiences. “Youth are the right hand of the Party. You must unite, study hard together, and become cadres to protect and develop the country,” he said.

As leader of the Lao National Veterans Association, Major General Somphone also learned much from the Vietnam Veterans Association. “Without Vietnam’s sharing of experiences, we would not have been able to build such a strong organization today. It was Vietnam that helped us shape it, so Lao veterans would have a place to gather, a voice, and be cared for after the war,” he emphasized.

In his later visits to Vietnam, he witnessed clear changes: “Every time I come, it is different. The people’s lives, the roads, the houses springing up like mushrooms. This time, I see Vietnam developing so quickly!”

Looking at Hanoi’s streets filled with flags and flowers in the jubilant atmosphere of the 80th National Day, he said: “I thank the Party, the State, the people, and the army of Vietnam for inviting us to this grand celebration. Vietnam has organized the 80th National Day so solemnly. Back in Laos, I also watched on television, seeing the parades and lively movements. Now that I can witness it firsthand, I feel even more proud of the faithful friendship between our two nations.”

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