A grand meeting to mark the 50 th anniversary of Vietnam-Laosdiplomatic ties was held in Son La city in the northern province ofthe same name on August 19.

Addressing the event, Politburo member and National Assembly DeputyChairwoman Tong Thi Phong affirmed the closeness and time-honouredrelationship between Vietnam and Laos .

Vietnamese and Lao people have jointly nurtured their traditionalfriendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which havebecome a common valuable asset and an extremely important factor inensuring the success of respective country’s revolution, contributing topeace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and theworld, Phong said.

She called on Son La province toeducate people living along the common border with Laos to wellimplement an agreement on border management regulations as well aspolicies of the two countries to safeguard the border of peace andfriendship.

Khamhoung Heuangvongsy, Governor of Laos’Huaphan province, which borders Son La, said Vietnam ’s localitieshave assisted his province and other northern provinces of Laos inhuman resources training, building schools, hospitals, and irrigation,transport electricity and water facilities.

At present, more than 80 Vietnamese businesses are investing in Huaphan, the governor said.

On the occasion, an exhibition of photos and paintings depictingspecial friendship between Vietnam and Laos and that between SonLa and northern Lao provinces was also held.

Earlier,an exhibition to feature cultural characteristics of the Vietnam-Laosborder, friendship and solidarity, and a seminar on tourism and culturaland economic development along the two countries’ border were held onAugust 18 and 17, respectively, in the central province of Ha Tinh.-VNA