A friendship gathering of Vietnamese and Lao youths took place in Hanoi on September 6, during which a cooperation pact for 2017-2022 was signed between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union.

Participants of the Vietnam - Laos youth friendship gathering pose for a photo

Addressing the opening of the event, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong stressed the Vietnamese and Lao parties and governments always create best conditions possible for bilateral youth engagements.

She said the two youth unions have effectively implemented their cooperation agreement for 2012 – 2017.

Phong praised practical contents added to their new pact for 2017 – 2022, saying these joint projects are appropriate to socio-economic growth conditions and meet current demand of young people.

She said she believes the young generations will join hands to protect and foster the special relations between Vietnam and Laos.

Le Quoc Phong, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, highlighted outcomes of cooperation with the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union during the 2012 – 2017.

He cited the organisation of youth exchanges, training courses on the history of Vietnam – Laos friendship and on capacity building for Lao youth activists, and voluntary activities in Laos.

Sonethanou Thammavong, Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Central Committee, stated the gathering helps educate young people about Vietnam – Lao special solidarity and the significance of the two countries setting up relations and signing of a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.    

As part of the event, together more than 200 Vietnamese and Lao youths painted a 55m long picture. The painting is expected to be completed in September and kept at the Vietnamese Youth Museum.

The Lao youth union delegation will be in Vietnam until September 10 to study operation models of youth unions at a number of universities and enterprises.

Deputy PM receives Lao youth union delegation

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 6 for a delegation from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union led by its Secretary Sonethanou Thammavong. 

The Deputy PM spoke highly of the Vietnam – Laos youth exchange programme 2017, adding that 2017 is a special year with a wide range of activities to celebrate bilateral diplomatic ties nurtured by generations of the two countries’ Party, State leaders and people. 

Minh urged Vietnamese and Lao young people to raise their responsibility for socio-economic development in each country, adding that long-term cooperation between the two youth union central committees should be practical and effective. 

He stressed the need to strengthen collaboration between the two countries’ provincial-level youth unions, particularly those in border provinces. 

Thammavong, for his part, said the youth exchange programme was meant to celebrate the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5) and the 40th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18). 

He said the 2017-2022 cooperation agreement between the two youth union central committees has been under thorough consideration to effectively tap youth spirit of Vietnamese and Lao young people. 

The guest expressed wish that the two youth unions would work closely together to successfully perform tasks in the new period.

Vietnam, Laos youth unions intensify friendship, solidarity

First Secretary of the HCMCYU Central Committee Le Quoc Phong 

The Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) discussed coordination directions during talks in Hanoi on September 6.

The talks took place amid the 55th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962) and 40 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).

First Secretary of the HCMCYU Central Committee Le Quoc Phong said coordination in the youth unions’ work and youth- and children-related activities such as youth-to-youth exchanges, experience sharing and economic development have generated encouraging outcomes.

He lauded the LPRYU’s fruitful performance in different aspects, noting that the HCMCYU Central Committee will learn from the Lao union’s experience in organising political activities to raise young people’s political awareness.

The Vietnamese youth are eager to visit Laos’ historical and revolutionary relic sites where Lao revolutionary leaders used to live and work. They also want to learn more about the land and people of Laos, he noted, adding that the Vietnam Young Business Association and the Vietnam Youth Federation are working to have a better understanding of Laos’ investment climate.

Phong voiced his belief that with the two central committees’ resolve, the Vietnamese and Lao youth unions will coordinate well to attain substantive results, helping to bolster their countries’ traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation.

Echoing his Vietnamese counterpart’s view, Secretary of the LPRYU Central Committee Sonethanou Thammavong said his union will continue activities under the cooperation agreement with the HCMCYU Central Committee.

He asked both sides to promote solidarity and cooperation and work together to build exhibition centres dedicated to Vietnamese and Lao leaders.

Phong affirmed that the youth unions will continue discussing the implementation of cooperation activities. They will also introduce books on the life and career of late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane to young people of the two countries in the time ahead.

VNA