(VOVworld) – The 3^rd Vietnam-Laos Friendship Festival kicked off today in Hanoi, opening a series of activities to mark the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and Phankham Viphavanh, a Politburo member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Lao Minister of Education and Sports, and President of the Laos – Vietnam Friendship Association.

In his opening speech, Vu Trong Kim, President of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, said the Vietnamese Party, State and People always treasure their relationship with the Laotian Party, State and People, which was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and President Cayson Phonvihan, during the two countries’ revolutionary and national construction periods. Mr. Kim spoke at the event: "We deem it the responsibility of party committees, authorities at all levels, and people of both countries to continue to consolidate and further this special traditional relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos."

Phankham Viphavan said that the festival is of great significance within the framework of the 2012 Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties and 35 years since the two countries signed the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Treaty. He added that this is a very rare relationship and urged both countries to consolidate, nurture and develop it: "For us, everything we have achieved was done with support and love from our brother Vietnam. The organization of this festival follows the success of the 2^nd Vietnam-Laos Friendship Festival in Vientiane in 2007. This is a good chance for us to seek ways to boost cooperative ties and bring our special friendship to new heights. We are determined to educate the younger generations to protect the relationship between the two Parties, States, and Peoples."

In a related development, a get-together was held in Hanoi on Sunday to welcome delegates to the third Vietnam - Laos Friendship Festival, which is underway this week in the capital city and the northern provinces of Tuyen Quang and Ninh Binh.