(VOVworld) – The 3^rd Vietnam-Laos’ Friendship Festival has closed in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang. The festival was an ideal venue for delegates from both countries to exchange their experiences in promoting friendly activities and proposing measures to improve Vietnam-Laos friendship and comprehensive relationship.

Music and dancing performances at the closing ceremony in Tuyen Quang province. (Photo: internet)

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Vu Xuan Hong said that it’s a common task of party committees and authorities at all levels as well as organizations of both countries and every Vietnamese and Laotian person to further consolidate the special and traditional friendship of the two countries. Addressing the closing ceremony, Lao Minister of Education and Sports, Phankham Viphavanh, said: "This year’s Festival is a great opportunity for both countries to review their traditional friendship and solidarity, and especially the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, parties, and peoples, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kayson Phomvihan. This special relationship, a decisive factor of both countries’ revolutionary victory, has helped both countries win their independence in the past and contribute to their development at present."

On this occasion, Minister Phankham Viphavan conferred Laotian Isala Order to the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association. He also conferred the Mittaphap Friendship Order to President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Vu Xuan Hong. On behalf of the Laotian-Vietnamese Friendship Association, Minister Phankham Viphavan presented 50,000 USD to Tuyen Quang provincial authorities to help preserve revolutionary relics of Vietnam and Laos in districts of Yen Son and Son Duong.