Vientiane (VNA) – The 63-year diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos stand as a vivid testament to a partnership marked by loyalty, purity, and a commitment to mutual preservation, said Col. Saveng Dennamonh, Political Commissar of the ethnic boarding school of the Lao People’s Army (LPA).

For both nations, this relationship is an invaluable asset they are determined to nurture and carry forward, Dennamonh told Vietnam News Agency’s reporters based in Laos.

He described the bilateral great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation as a steadfast foundation for the sustainable development of both countries, and a shining example of international solidarity in today’s era.

The story of this alliance began on September 5, 1962 when Vietnam and Laos formalised their diplomatic ties. For Dennamonh, that date is not just a historic milestone but a moment to honour the great friendship and cooperation tirelessly cultivated by generations of Vietnamese and Lao people.

To truly understand the strength and depth of Vietnam–Laos relations, one must look back at their historical roots. From the very founding of the Indochinese Communist Party, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese and Lao revolutions were closely bound, advancing side by side on the path to national liberation, he said.

Over more than six decades, the two peoples have “shared both hardship and triumph”, standing shoulder to shoulder through sacrifice and struggle. President Ho Chi Minh’s words “Helping our friends is helping ourselves” became a guiding principle and a source of spiritual strength, inspiring both armies and peoples to fight together and defeat common enemies. It was amid the fiercest battles that their fraternal solidarity was tested, tempered, and further tightened.

Forged in the flames of resistance, that spirit of loyalty and unity became the backbone of long-term, stable, and sustainable cooperation. The special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is not only a natural law, but a decisive factor in their revolutionary successes, which laid a solid foundation for an everlasting relationship, he added.

Bound by geography, Vietnam and Laos share over 2,000 km of border, from the Truong Son mountain range to the Mekong River. Their cultural, linguistic, and spiritual similarities further cement a relationship rooted in mutual understanding and empathy.

According to him, the bilateral great friendship and special solidarity was grounded in genuine patriotism combined with pure proletarian internationalism, becoming a source of immense strength that led both nations to victory. Despite today’s complex global landscape, the special Vietnam–Laos relationship grows ever stronger, entrusted to both countries’ Parties, States, armies, and people to preserve and nurture for future generations.

In peacetime, their comprehensive cooperation has deepened, with tangible examples like the LPA’s ethnic boarding school, built with non-refundable aid from the Vietnam People’s Army.

Established in 2022, the school has trained the children of military and civilian officials, preparing for the next generation of Lao military leaders. It has also hosted numerous delegations of senior Vietnamese military officials, who have supplied critical equipment for research, teaching, and learning./.