Laos’ Ministry of Defence held a meeting in Vientiane on October 29 to
mark the 65 th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese
volunteer soldiers and military experts on missions in Laos (October
30).
Addressing the event, Lieutenant General Souvon Luong
Boummi, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the
Lao People’s Army, recalled the honourable traditions of the Vietnamese
volunteer force, which helped his country during its struggle for
national liberation.
With the support of the Vietnamese
volunteer army, the Lao People’s Liberation Army was established on
January 20, 1949 and developed rapidly, thus enhancing the military
alliance between the two countries’ armies.
Vietnamese volunteer
soldiers and experts also helped their Lao friends build resistance
bases and coordinated with the Lao army to carry out large-scale
campaigns. In the Winter-Spring Campaign of 1953-1954, the Vietnam-Laos
coalition troops liberated a large area in Laos, easing the pressure on
the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, contributing to the final victory.
Souvon Luong Boummi expressed his deep gratitude for the great
sacrifices and invaluable assistance provided by the Party, State and
people of Vietnam, including the volunteer soldiers and military
experts, during Laos’ struggles for national independence in the past.
Together with the Lao Party and people, the army is determined
to do its utmost to deepen the traditional friendship, special
solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States
and peoples, the officer said.
On the same day, a
photograph exhibition was opened in Vientiane as part the celebrations
organised to mark the special occasion.-VNA