Hanoi (VNA) - The Party and State of the Lao People's Democratic Republic held a solemn ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on April 29 to award decorations to incumbent and former high-ranking leaders of Vietnam.

The event saw the presence of State President Luong Cuong and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, who is leading a high-level Lao delegation to attend Vietnam’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025).

At the event, Khemmani Pholsena, head of the Lao Presidential Office, announced the decree by the President of Laos conferring the first-class Issara (Freedom) Order upon Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and former Vice State Presidents Nguyen Thi Binh, Truong My Hoa, Nguyen Thi Doan, and Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

On behalf of the Lao Party and State, LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith personally presented the noble order to the honourees.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Xuan said she is deeply moved to receive this prestigious award from the Lao Party and State, describing it as a profound honour that highlights the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. This bond, she noted, was personally cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and has been continously nurtured by successive generations of leaders and people of both countries.

She extended heartfelt thanks to the Lao Party, State, and people for their unwavering support for Vietnam during its past struggle for independence as well as its current national defence and development, as well as for this recognition. She also expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their trust and support, which enabled the honourees to contribute to national development and to the deepening of the special Vietnam–Laos relationship.

Xuan affirmed that the award is a significant source of encouragement, inspiring the recipients to continue striving in their respective roles and to further contribute to the enduring solidarity between the two nations.

She expressed strong confidence that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, both countries will continue to build on their past achievements and reach even greater milestones in their national development and protection efforts.

Also on April 29, the Presidential Office of Vietnam was honoured with the first-class Labour Order by the Lao State.

🐼 Head of the office Le Khanh Hai received the second-class Issara Order, while deputy heads of the office Phan Thi Kim Oanh and Pham Thanh Ha were awarded the third-class Issara Order. Ten staff members of the office received the Lao State’s Friendship Orders and Medals./.