Delegations from Việt Nam and Laos pose for a commemorative photo at the border gate area
NGHỆ AN – A delegation from Quảng Ngãi Province joined the 3rd Việt Nam–Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange, held in Nghệ An Province of Việt Nam and Bolykhamxay Province of Laos on July 9–10.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by General Phan Văn Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.
The Lao delegation was headed by General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.
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General Phan Văn Giang and General Khamliang Outhakaysone at Border Marker 460 on the Việt Nam-Laos border. Photo: QĐND.VN
Representing Quảng Ngãi Province were Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Trần Phước Hiền and Colonel Trần Thế Phan, Commander of the provincial Military Command.
The two-day programme featured a wide range of activities to strengthen bilateral cooperation and people-to-people ties. These included repainting Border Marker No. 460, planting friendship trees, visiting border guard units, launching a Lao border coordination station, presenting gifts and scholarships to students, providing free medical check-ups and medicines, donating breeding cattle to border residents, and organising cultural, sports and community exchange activities.
Delegates also attended a ceremony reviewing twinning cooperation between border communities, the groundbreaking ceremony for a kindergarten, visited the Kim Liên Special National Relic Site, and held bilateral talks.
First launched in 2021 and continued in 2024, the Việt Nam–Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange has become a hallmark of defence cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The programme has helped strengthen coordination among border protection forces, local authorities and residents while further deepening the special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Việt Nam and Laos.
This year's event also coincided with the 49th anniversary of the signing of the Việt Nam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 – July 18, 2026).
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