Second Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange kicks off

The second Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange began with a welcome ceremony for the Lao delegation at Long Sap Border Gate in Vietnam's northern province of Son La on October 22. The welcome ceremony was chaired by Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang. The Lao delegation was led by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath. Apart from Moc Chau, the two-day exchange will feature activities in Sop Bao district of the Lao province of Houaphanh. They include tree planting, a joint exercise on cross-border crime combat, handover of gifts, a cross-border marathon, free health check-ups and medicine distribution, and art performances. The two sides will also hold talks and sign cooperation documents. As one of the key defence diplomacy events of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) this year, the exchange is hoped to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. Its first edition was held in 2021 in Huong Hoa district of Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri, and Sepon district of Savanakhet province of Laos. Source: Lao News Agency