Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang said the high-level delegations from Vietnam and Laos had completed a series of "truly meaningful and impressive" activities during the third Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

On July 10, as part of the exchange program, delegations from the two ministries of national defense held talks to review bilateral cooperation and agree on future priorities.

Gen. Phan Van Giang expressed his satisfaction with the activities held during the exchange, describing them as a practical demonstration of the special strategic cooperative relationship between the two Parties and States.

He said the program also strengthened cooperation between the two ministries of national defense, armed forces, local authorities and people, while contributing to the shared goal of building a peaceful, friendly, stable and developing border.

The event was especially significant because it was held in Laos' historic Bolykhamxay Province and Vietnam's Nghe An Province, the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh.

Strengthening strategic connectivity

General Phan Van Giang noted that Thanh Thuy Border Gate in Nghe An Province and Nam On Border Gate in Bolykhamxay Province will become key links on the planned Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway.

He described the future route as a strategic artery connecting the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, linking Nghe An and Bolykhamxay while strengthening cooperation in politics, diplomacy, defense, security, culture, economic development and people-to-people exchanges.

The project will also help realize Laos' long-term strategy of improving access to the sea.

Building on the success of previous exchanges in 2021 and 2024, the third Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange reaffirmed its importance as one of the most distinctive forms of cooperation between the two countries, carrying significant political value and generating broad engagement from central authorities, the armed forces, local governments and people on both sides of the border.

Phan Van Giang also emphasized the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges in border areas.

He described defense cooperation as one of the key pillars of the special relationship between the Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, noting that bilateral defense ties have become increasingly substantive and achieved comprehensive results.

The Vietnamese defense minister proposed expanding cooperation in human resource training, border management and protection, defense industry development and military trade, while maintaining close consultations and mutual support at regional and international multilateral forums.

On border management, he called for closer information sharing, coordinated patrols, protection of border markers, joint efforts to combat transnational crime, prompt coordination in addressing emerging issues and the expansion of twinning programs between border guard stations and border communities.

Laos calls for stronger cooperation

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone said the exchange took place as both countries implement their respective Party resolutions and celebrate important national anniversaries.

He said bilateral defense cooperation has continued to deepen and produce significant achievements.

Khamliang Outhakaysone proposed strengthening education for younger generations in both countries and their armed forces about the enduring values of the Vietnam - Laos relationship under the guiding principle of "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connectivity."

He also called for closer cooperation in safeguarding border security, expanding joint border patrols, strengthening human resource training, developing historical memorial sites and jointly organizing meaningful exchange activities to commemorate major milestones in bilateral relations.

Tribute to President Ho Chi Minh

Earlier on July 10, the two defense ministers and their delegations offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the Kim Lien Special National Relic Site in Nghe An Province.

In a solemn ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone paid their respects by offering flowers and incense in memory of the late Vietnamese leader.

President Ho Chi Minh, together with President Kaysone Phomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong, laid the foundation for the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The delegations also planted commemorative trees and visited the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial House, a gift from the Lao government to the Vietnamese government located within the Kim Lien historical complex.

The two-story stilt house, designed in traditional Lao architectural style, covers 315 sq m and features exhibitions highlighting the close relationship between the two Parties, States, armed forces and peoples, as well as artifacts associated with President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and generations of leaders from both countries.

The memorial house stands as a vivid symbol of the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos while helping educate future generations about the enduring ties between the two nations.

New kindergarten for border community

Earlier in the program, the two deputy prime ministers attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Thanh Ha Kindergarten in Kim Bang Commune, a project funded by Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense.

The school will consist of two two-story buildings with a total floor area of 1,646 sq m and 13 rooms, including six classrooms, administrative offices, a teachers' room, a medical room, a kitchen and specialized classrooms for physical education, art and music.

The project will be built to meet quality, schedule and technical standards, providing early childhood education services for children in the border area of Kim Bang Commune.

In addition to serving as a kindergarten, the facility has also been designed to function as an emergency shelter for local residents during storms and floods.

Tran Thuong