(KPL/VNA) The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has held a gathering in Vientiane for former Lao military students who had studied in Vietnam.

The event on January 17 marked the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 76th founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Army.

The ceremony was chaired by Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh, Vice Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, and attended by high-ranking officers from both countries.

In his address, Minh highlighted the strong and enduring friendship between Vietnam and Laos, emphasising the invaluable support that both countries' armed forces have provided each other over the years, particularly in training and education.

For his part, Lao Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Khamlieng Outhakaysone spoke highly of the long-standing cooperation, noting that every year, thousands of Lao military personnel receive training in Vietnam, many of them have held significant positions in the Lao government and military.

Colonel Soutchai Mahavong, a representative of former Vietnamese military students, expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, and Ministry of National Defence for their continuous support in training Lao personnel.

This was Soutchai’s second time attending the gathering, and he recalled the significant changes and progress in the militaries of both countries. Soutchai pledged to continue strengthening the special Laos-Vietnam relationship, particularly by educating future generations about the deep solidarity between the two nations.

The reunion served as an opportunity to celebrate the shared history and close ties between Vietnam and Laos, whose relationship has become a symbol of loyalty, trust, and cooperation.

KPL