Vietnam-Laos exchange event marks Laos’ Bunpimay festival in Belgium
The Vietnamese and Lao embassies and delegations in Belgium, the EU, and the Netherlands co-organised an exchange event marking the Lao traditional New Year festival Bunpimay in Brussels on April 12.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao (R) presents flowers to Lao Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Phoukhong Sisoulath at the exchange event. (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The Vietnamese and Lao embassies and delegations in Belgium, the EU, and the Netherlands co-organised an exchange event marking the Lao traditional New Year festival Bunpimay in Brussels on April 12.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao highlighted the importance of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and mutual support in their past struggles for independence and current causes of national construction, development, and protection.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh affirmed that Vietnam tries its best to accompany Laos in fostering such a relationship and passing it on to the next generations.
Lao Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Phoukhong Sisoulath said the friendship has been continuously cultivated by the leaders and peoples of the two countries.
The exchange featured the countries’ culinary delights and musical performances, and friendly table-tennis matches.
Also on April 12, a delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, headed by Chargé d'affaires Le Dac Quan, visited the Lao Embassy, offering Bunpimay greetings and best wishes.
The sides took the occasion to review key points of the Vietnam-Laos ties and expressed their hope for stronger and more effective coordination between the two embassies in the time to come./.
Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang and a delegation of city officials on April 14 visited the Lao Consulate General in the city to extend greetings on the occasion of Laos’ traditional New Year festival (Bunpimay).
A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City led by Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Hieu on April 11 visited the Lao Consulate General in the city on the occasion of the country’s traditional New Year festival (Bunpimay).
A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy and representative agencies in Indonesia led by Ambassador Ta Van Thong visited the Embassy of Laos in Jakarta on April 11 on the occasion of Laos’s traditional New Year festival (Bunpimay).
The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province on April 12 held a get-together for Lao students in the northern locality on the occasion of the traditional New Year (Bunpimay) festival of Laos.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao (R) presents flowers to Lao Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Phoukhong Sisoulath at the exchange event. (Photo: VNA) 
