(VOVWORLD) - The second culture, sports, and tourism festival in the Vietnam-Laos border area opened in Son La province on Wednesday evening.
 Vietnam’s NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Laos’ NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotou at the ceremony. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)
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This is part of celebrations to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.
Chairwoman of the Vietnam’s National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou attended the opening ceremony, where Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien stressed that the event introduces the strength and potentials of 10 Vietnamese provinces that share the borderline with Laos.
 Art performance at the festival's opening ceremony (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)
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Minister Thien said: “Activities during the festival will be conducted village by patriarchs, artisans, amateur athletes, figurants, and people living in border areas of both countries. The activities and joint performances will reflect traditional cultural values and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.”
Earlier Chairwoman Ngan burnt incense in commemoration of the heroic martyrs who were imprisoned at Son La Prison.