Hanoi (VNA) – The LaoCulture Week in Vietnam kicked off with special performances by the Laonational art troupe in Hanoi on July 18.

The week, held by theVietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Lao Ministry ofInformation, Culture and Tourism, is part of activities marking the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962) and 45 yearssince the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).

In her opening remarks, LaoMinister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh said for morethan half a century, under the leadership of the Lao People’s RevolutionaryParty, the Communist Party of Vietnam and Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihaneand Souphanouvong, the two countries have assisted each other in surmounting countlessdifficulties and hardships to successfully fight for national independence,freedom and liberation.

During the period of nationaldevelopment and defence, they have maintained solidarity, helped each otherdevelop strongly, and stood side by side with people in the region and theworld to contribute to common peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

She stressed that the Laopeople always keep in mind the enormous and priceless assistance from the fraternalVietnamese people, including in the COVID-19 combat, and that they willtreasure and educate younger generations on bilateral relations so that thegreat friendship and special solidarity will stay sustainable forever.

For his part, VietnameseMinister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung highlighted the twocountries’ great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

He said since theestablishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, they have stayed united toovercome every difficulty and challenge during resistance wars and nationalconstruction. Today, bilateral relations have been consolidated unceasingly anddeveloping substantively, reaping significant outcomes in all aspects,including culture and tourism.

The Lao Culture Week inVietnam, the Vietnamese Culture Week in Laos, along with a series of major activitiesmarking the diplomatic relations in 2022, are critical to helping strengthen thegreat friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

These events will help theirpeople, including the young, and international friends learn more about the twocultures through special singing and dancing performances and photo exhibitions,the official added./.