Vietnam, Laos Hold First Border Defence Friendship Exchange - Photos
The first Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange was held on December 12 in Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province of Vietnam and Sepon district, Savannakhet province of Laos
A welcoming ceremony for the two Defence Ministers of Vietnam and Laos. Photo: VOV
Prominent figures in attendance at the event were Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and his Lao counterpart Chansamone Chanyalath.
Within the framework of the first friendship exchange, a wide range of major activities are launched such as saluting sovereignty milestones, planting souvenir trees, conducting joint patrols of both nations' border guards, and offering gifts to Lao and Vietnamese students.
During the meeting, the two defence ministers appreciated the results of the 2nd Defence Policy Dialogue, affirming that this is an important mechanism to unify a common perception on regional security issues of shared concern.
Despite suffering the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, defence cooperation between the two countries has been effectively deployed and achieved positive outcomes.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang emphasized Vietnam's readiness to share difficulties that Laos is facing in the fight against COVID-19. In its capacity, the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam is ready to support Laos both in terms of manpower and resources on request.
According to VNS, Giang also expressed thanks to the Lao Ministry of National Defence for coordinating with its Vietnamese counterpart to successfully organise the first national defence border friendship exchange.
He proposed to boost relations between armies of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, including maintaining regular meetings between national defence ministers of the three countries.
Lao minister Chansamone expressed his delights at the first national defence friendship exchange held between the two countries, saying that it would mark a milestone in lifting the security cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
After the talks, the two ministers signed a protocol on search and rescue cooperation and the Việt Nam-Laos national defence cooperation plan in 2022 and witnessed the signing of the agreement on border guard cooperation between the two countries.
Immediately after the meeting, the two ministers signed a number of important documents to further step up bilateral defence cooperation and cooperation between border guards of the two countries in the coming time.
The organization of the first Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange comes from the direction of the two Parties and States on building a Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship and stability and cooperation for common development.
The exchange program is also part of the defence diplomacy activities launched by the two defence ministries in 2021.
Some photos featuring the exchange event:
The Lao Minister of National Defense of Laos speaks at Primary School No. 2 in Lao Bao town. Photo: VOV
Photo: VOV
The welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at Densavan border gate is solemnly held under the chairmanship of Lao Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath. Photo: VOV
The exchange officially begins with a welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at the Densavan border gate of Laos. Photo: VOV
General Phan Van Giang (L) and General Chansamone Chanyalath. Photo: People's Army Newspaper
Photo: People's Army Newspaper
A ceremony to see off the Vietnamese delegation at the Border Post of Lao Bao International Border Gate. Photo: People's Army Newspaper
General Chansamone Chanyalath chairs the welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation.
Photo: People's Army Newspaper
Photo: People's Army Newspaper
The two defense ministers painting the landmark. Photo: People's Army Newspaper
Vietnam News Today (December 13): Vietnam records 14,621 new domestic Covid cases; Vietnam, Laos hold first border defense friendship exchange; Vietnam sees boom in e-wallet ...
According to The New Zealand Herald, Vietnam ranked as the ninth most popular travel destination for Australian tourists last year, with nearly 450,000 visitors making their way to this country.
Vietnam News Today (May 11): Vietnam, Austria to boost cooperation in high-tech development, innovation; Central city promotes Vietnam as a premium destination in Europe; Vietnam is trusted friend of Russia: State Duma Chairman; Vietnam nominated to chair 11th NPT Review Conference.
For Myrna V. Pagán, witnessing and experiencing life in Vietnam firsthand has been a valuable experience. The Vietnamese people she met during her visit gave her a profound sense of hard work, resilience, and hope for the future.
From his high school days in New York, Joel Schwartz has been connected to Vietnam through the anti-war movement. Now at 73, he still feels that the resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people continues to inspire freedom struggles around the world.
On May 15 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son received a delegation of retired Mongolian diplomats led by Mongolian Ambassador to Vietnam Jigjee Sereejav. They exchanged proposals to enhance cooperation and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
Over the past 35 years (1990-2025), the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has made significant contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development by promoting policy dialogue, social justice, and sustainable development. In recognition of these efforts, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) presented FES with a Certificate of Merit from its Presidium during a celebration held in Hanoi on May 12 to mark the organization’s 35 years of operation in Vietnam.
On May 9, in Hanoi, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Dong Huy Cuong received a delegation from the Veterans for Peace (VFP) led by Chuck Searcy, Vice President of its Chapter 160.
During a working session with Dr. Friedhelm Frischenschlager, former Austrian Minister of Defence, held on May 8 in Hanoi, delegates discussed the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Austria. Organized by the Vietnam-Austria Friendship Association and the Austrian Embassy in Vietnam, the event opened up numerous opportunities for collaboration in the economic, educational, and cultural sectors.
On the occasion of General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to four of Vietnam’s traditional partner countries, including Azerbaijan, Thoi Dai magazine spoke with Dr Nghiem Vu Khai, Honorary President of the Vietnam–Azerbaijan Friendship Association and former Head of the Vietnamese Alumni Liaison Committee in Azerbaijan. The conversation centered on his deep-rooted memories, aspirations for the future, and the significance of people-to-people diplomacy in fostering bilateral relations.
On May 2 in Thailand, the Center for Vietnamese Studies under Rajabhat Udon Thani University and the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association held a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement on Vietnamese language training.
According to La Jornada, Mexico-Vietnam relations over the past 50 years have continuously developed and reached remarkable achievements in both economic and cultural aspects, with the foundation of effective political dialogue.
"Forever Ho Chi Minh" art program will take place at the Bolivar Theater in Caracas on May 21, in commemoration of the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2025).
Travel
National
Friendship
Friendship
Friendship
Focus
Friendship
Focus
Friendship
Friendship
Friendship
Friendship