Thua Thien-Hue: The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Festival was held in Hue city, Thua Thien-Hue province, on November 11, marking a significant event that celebrated the longstanding diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos. The festival commemorated the 61st anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (1962-2023) and 46 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (1977-2023). This event was part of a series of activities to honor the deep-rooted relationship between the two neighboring countries.
According to Vietnam News Agency, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Thanh Lam, explained that the festival’s primary goal is to bolster Vietnam-Laos cooperation in the fields of information and communications. According to a new release, this collaboration is in line with the intergovernmental agreement on digital partnership and includes initiatives for digital transformation in press activities, combating fake and harmful news, and improving digital skills to foster a safe and healthy digital environment.
Deputy Minister Lam highlighted that several large-scale Vietnamese firms, including Viettel, VNPT, and FPT, have made significant investments in Laos. Their contributions have been instrumental in expanding 4G coverage across Laos, making it one of the countries with the widest 4G networks in Southeast Asia, and providing Internet services to the Lao populace. In press and communications, Vietnam and Laos have experienced productive cooperation, with Vietnam supporting Laos in terms of facilities, technical expertise, and training, as well as aiding in the production of valuable communication and information products.
Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Keomanyvong Phosy, also acknowledged that information and communications have been standout areas in the Laos-Vietnam partnership, marked by various collaborative projects. The Deputy Minister expressed hope that the festival would become an annual event to enhance bilateral exchanges in the field and open new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Running until November 15, the festival features a range of activities, including an exhibition of 200 photos depicting the nations, people, culture of Vietnam and Laos, and their partnership in various sectors. Additionally, new technologies in information, communications, and journalism will be showcased as part of the event’s program.