Lao Vice PM Somsavad Lengsavat congratulates Vietnamese people on Lunar New Year festival. (Photo: Quoc Khanh)

Ambassador Nguyen Manh Hung thanked the Party, government, and people of Laos for promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation. He said 2012 was an important year for both countries with many activities held to commemorate their Friendship Year, 50 years of diplomatic ties, and 35 years of their comprehensive friendship agreement. Hung expressed his hope that cooperative ties will continue to flourish in all fields this year. In reply, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavath said: 'The atmosphere makes us remember Vietnamese people who stood by us in fighting at all costs and jointly won victories. As your traditional New Year approaches, we hope that our countries will further consolidate our special solidarity and that our comprehensive cooperation will live forever.’ Lion dances and other performances saluted the Vietnamese Party, the nation, and Vietnam – Laos solidarity and friendship.