Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023

QNN 12/11/2023 21:47

(QNO) - Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023 was opened in Vietnam’s Hue city on November 11th by the Ministry of Information and Communications coordinated with the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province.

The opening ceremony of the Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023
The opening ceremony of the Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023

The festival takes place from November 11 to 15 on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos (1962 - 2023) and the 46th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (1977-2023).

Taking part in the opening ceremony of the festival were representatives of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Central and local media agencies, the Departments of Information and Communications of Vietnam’s provinces which share a border with Laos.

On the Lao side, there were leaders of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, representatives of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, the Lao General Consulate in Da Nang, leaders and representatives from media agencies from Salavan and Sekong provinces.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam speaks at the opening ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam speaks at the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam shared about the steadfast friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos and the cooperative achievements between the two countries in various fields, especially information and communications, in recent years.

Especially,  Viet Nam inked an agreement on a digital partnership with Laos, making it the first digital partnership with another country.

Vietnamese and Lao delegates at the event
Vietnamese and Lao delegates at the event

The agreement was signed in January 2023 by the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam and the Ministry of Technology and Communications of Laos. It aims to promote cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in terms of digital technology development, digital transformation, digital infrastructure, digital trade and investment, digital innovation, cybersecurity, and collaboration at digital forums. 

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lam, the Vietnam - Laos Special Friendship Festival 2023 is a meaningful event, contributing to promoting cooperation in the field of information and communications within the framework of the Intergovernmental Agreement on digital partnership, digital transformation in media, handling fake and malicious information, and improving digital skills for Lao and Vietnamese people towards a safe and healthy digital environment…

Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos Phosy Keomanivong speaks at the event.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos Phosy Keomanivong speaks at the event.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Laos Phosy Keomanivong said that information and communications are always considered outstanding fields in the relationship between Laos and Vietnam, with many cooperative projects.

Therefore, the propaganda and exchange of press information, advanced technology, fine traditional culture, and promotion of tourism are important factors in the two countries' relationship.

On this occasion, there were various activities, such as a photo exhibition on the great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, introducing and promoting information and communication technology products, tourism, and the culture of Vietnam and Laos, and a seminar on the Vietnam - Laos cooperative prospects in the press and media. 

Vietnamese and Lao delegates at the exhibition
Vietnamese and Lao delegates at the exhibition

Also, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation was signed between the Department of External Information, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Department of Mass Communications of Vietnam and the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos.

The agreement aims to promote cooperation in information and communications between the two countries, Vietnam and Laos.

Reporting by H.VUONG - Translated by N.VIET

QNN