The staffs of Vietnamese and Lao embassies in China gathered at a
friendship exchange in Beijing on April 11 to celebrate Laos’
traditional New Year.

Addressing the function, Lao
Ambassador to China Somdy Bounkhoum highlighted the event, which took
place in the context that the two sides had just celebrated the 50th
anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 35 years of the
signing of the two countries’ Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He appreciated the timely and invaluable support Vietnam has given
to Laos during its national liberation in the past as well as in the
current national construction and development.

In 2012, Vietnam was the second largest investor in Laos, he noted.

Vietnamese ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho affirmed that the
traditional Vietnam-Laos friendship, initiated by late President Ho Chi
Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, will exist forever.

A wide range of cultural and artistic activities were held during the
exchange, thus tightening the relationship between the two peoples.-VNA