Addressing the event, Politburo member and National Assembly Deputy Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong affirmed the closeness and time-honoured relationship between Viet Nam and Laos.

Vietnamese and Lao people have jointly nurtured their traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which have become a common valuable asset and an extremely important factor in ensuring the success of respective country’s revolution, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, Phong said.

She called on Son La province to educate people living along the common border with Laos to well implement an agreement on border management regulations as well as policies of the two countries to safeguard the border of peace and friendship.

Khamhoung Heuangvongsy, Governor of Laos’ Huaphan province, which borders Son La, said Viet Nam’s localities have assisted his province and other northern provinces of Laos in human 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 depicting special friendship between Viet Nam and Laos and that between Son La and northern Lao provinces was also held.

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