Vietnam, Laos improve upon strong defence relations

From left: Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien (2nd) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath (3rd) in a group photo at their meeting in Vientiane on October 10. (Photo: VNA)

At their meeting in Vientiane on October 10, they agreed to boost the implementation of the 2024 cooperation plan that had been approved by the ministries.

Chien, who is accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related events, informed his host of the discussion with his Lao counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vongkham Phommakon on October 9, which covered updates on preparations for the upcoming 2nd Vietnam-Laos border defence friendship exchange, set to take place in Vietnam’s Son La province and Laos’ Houaphanh province on October 22 and 23.

Chanyalath praised the two ministries' proactive coordination in preparing for the event and agreed that a rehearsal will be conducted on October 21 to ensure that all activities proceed according to plan.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister mentioned several upcoming initiatives, including the annual meeting between the defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, scheduled for November in Cambodia, and a visit to Laos by Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang in the same month, during which he will participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus.

Chien also talked about the promotion of training cooperation and exchanges between young officers from the two countries./.