(VNF) - The Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical relic site was inaugurated in the north-western province of Son La on July 6^th in the presence of Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou.

Two National Assembly Chairwomen at the inaugural ceremony. (Photo:VOV)

Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou hailed the site’s inauguration as a significant event to celebrate the 55^th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5^th, 1962) and the 40^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18^th, 1977).

Yathotou thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their timely and effective assistance for Laos in the cause of national liberation, defence and building.

She particularly thanked the authorities and people in Son La for supporting Lao people in general and northern Lao provinces in particular over the past time, and affirmed that Laos will continue to nurture the special and faithful relations with Vietnam.

Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers her speech at the ceremony. (Photo:VOV)

Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the relic site is a vivid demonstration of the combat solidarity between the two countries in general and Son La and northern Lao provinces in particular in the struggle against invaders to defend the country.

She said the relic site will be a valuable source of historical lessons to educate young generations in the tradition of patriotism and the special solidarity of the two countries.

The Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical relic site in Lao Kho village, Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, Son La province, was the place where Lao leader Kaysone Phomvihane chose to build a base for the Lao revolution against French colonialists.

During the stay at the area, he lived in the home of a local elderly, Trang Lao Kho. The North Lao Vanguard Division was also based in the village from 1948-1950.

On April 24^th, 2012, the site was awarded with a certificate recognising it as a national historical site, and the two countries held a ceremony to commence the construction of the Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical relic site on nearly 50ha.

The original historic relics preserved at the site include the old house of Trang Lao Kho and houses of the North Lao Vanguard Division. New construction works include a monument dedicated to the Vietnam-Laos friendship and an exhibition house displaying photos, documents, and objects on the bilateral amity.

Son La provincial People’s Committee invested VND 54 billion (USD 2.3 million) in the construction of the site.

Two countries’ delegates visit the exhibition house at the Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical relic site. (Photo:VOV)

Vietnam and Laos share a border line of 2,067 km which runs across 10 Vietnamese provinces including Dien Bien, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Kon Tum.

Laos also has 10 provinces bordering Vietnam, which are Luang Prabang, Houaphan, Attapeu, Sekong, Xieng Khouang, Bolykhamsay, Khammouane, Savanakhet, Salavan, and Phongsaly.

Son La province shares a 250km border line with Laos. It has to date signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with eight Northern provinces of Laos.

Within the framework of the “Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017”, Son La was assigned to hosting activities to celebrate this anniversary as well as to mark 40 years since the two countries signed a Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

To prepare for the events, the province held a film week on the Vietnam-Laos friendship and solidarity year, disseminate the time-honored friendship between the two countries and cooperation between Son La and the Northern Lao provinces on mass media, and hung panels on national highway No.6 from Van Ho district to Son La city and at the Long Sap and Chieng Khuong border gates, and the Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical relic site./.

Two National Assembly Chairwomen plant trees at the historical relic site. (Photo:VOV)

National Assembly Chairwomen present gifts to Lao Kho village’s kindergarden and primary school. (Photo:VOV)

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