Party General Secretary To Lam met with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on the occasion of attending the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi. (Photo: DANG KHOA).

Fifty years ago, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, led by President Kaysone Phomvihane, led the people of all ethnic groups in the country to rebel, seize power, topple the monarchy, free the nation from colonialism, socialism, and feudal rule, and establish the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The people of all Laotian ethnic groups now genuinely control their own fate, ushering in a new period of independence, freedom, and the construction of a just and civilized society in the country of Cam-pa flowers. This is a magnificent milestone.

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party steadfastly rowed the Lao revolutionary boat, overcoming the wind, achieving great, comprehensive, and steady victories from its predecessor, the Indochinese Communist Party, which was founded in 1930 with the right, creative, brave, and intellectual guidelines; promoting the heroic and resilient revolutionary struggle tradition of the Lao ethnic people; and with the support and assistance of international friends, including the great, wholehearted, and People of Vietnam.

After the renovation strategy has been in place for almost 40 years, Laos has transformed from an agricultural economy that was surrounded and under embargo to one that is autonomous and self-sufficient; it has also transformed from a nation that mostly imports goods from overseas to one that exports agricultural products.

The Lao economy is expanding, social policy is solid, national security and defense are upheld, people's quality of life is continuously rising, and over the past 40 years, average income per capita has increased by almost 20 times.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic maintains diplomatic relationships with 151 nations, has 41 Lao Embassies in numerous nations, and is a member of numerous international organizations, while the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has maintained ties with over 150 political parties worldwide.

Numerous significant international conferences have been successfully organized, which is evidence of the remarkable and proud transformation of the stunning nation of Laos.

Under the direction of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, led by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, the Lao Party, State, and People have vigorously implemented the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in recent years, assisting the nation in overcoming numerous obstacles and challenges, particularly during the post-COVID-19 recovery period. They have also maintained political stability, strengthened national unity, promoted socioeconomic growth, improved people's quality of life, and continuously improved Laos' standing in the international arena.

Simultaneously, the Lao Party, State, and People are creating new momentum for growth, expanding development space, assisting Laos in participating more deeply in regional economic flows, and affirming the integration spirit of a dynamically developing country through the steadfast implementation of the strategic vision, building the nation into a "connecting country," increasing investment in infrastructure, creating economic corridors, and recently rearranging the model of the political system.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic's founding, the journey is long enough to demonstrate the bravery, intelligence, stature, and leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as the decisive factor in all victories of the Lao revolution. The leaders of Lao ethnic groups successfully carried out the previous national liberation struggle as well as in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today, engraving the brilliant milestones in the country's heroic history of the Lao people.

The accomplishments of the Lao and Vietnamese revolutions have always left a lasting impression of the significant and successful contributions of each Party, State, and People of the other country, as historical truth clearly demonstrates. "To all the successes of the Lao revolution, there is a direct contribution of the Vietnamese revolution," stated Chairman Kaysone Phomvihane in his 1976 speech welcoming the Vietnam Party of Labor's 4th National Congress.

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam with the same origin, the Indochinese Communist Party, were meticulously fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Souphanouvong as two close neighbors with a close relationship and tradition of friendship and mutual aid in the spirit of "salt bit in half, vegetable stems break in half."

Since each nation's founding, the two Parties have consistently worked together to lead their armies and citizens "on the shoulders and sides," "comparing suffering," "born and dead," and with the unwavering determination that "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" in order to defeat a common foe, win a total victory, and free their country while simultaneously building, building, and developing the nation in the new circumstances.

The establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, was a pivotal moment that led to the full triumph of the Vietnamese revolution, the liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country on April 30, 1975.

Conversely, the victory of the resistance war against the invasion, the liberation of the Southern Vietnam, and the reunification of Vietnam is linked to the selfless assistance and tremendous sacrifice of the Lao ethnic people along the transport route of Ho Chi Minh's "trail" in the West Truong Son on Laos, despite the bombardment and gunfire from the shared enemy.

President Ho Chi Minh's belief that "we consider the happiness and prosperity of our Lao brothers as our own" and his motto, "helping friends is helping yourself," which has been embraced by generations of Vietnamese and Lao leaders, are the sources of strength that propel each nation's revolution to success over success over success.

In order to effectively organize the National Party Congress and usher in a new age of peace, stability, sustainable development, high quality, and improvement of all facets of people's life, the two nations are getting ready in every way.

Promoting the unique relationship between Vietnam and Laos is particularly crucial for each country to successfully accomplish its goals in the context of the world and regional situation continuing to develop in a complex manner, increasing instability and challenges, and a tense regional security environment.

Building and solidifying the unique solidarity between the two peoples, continuously and creatively using historical experiences, and promoting the priceless traditions and united strength of the two nations. As a result, the pride of generations of Vietnamese and Lao people, particularly the younger generation, will be multiplied in order to maintain and foster the unique relationship to new heights, becoming a great new strength and driving force for the two countries to overcome all obstacles and challenges, bringing the country to increasingly develop sustainably, deeply integrate with the region and the world, and successfully build socialism in each country.

It is needed to continue to assess and encourage meaningful and productive cooperation in a variety of fields; concentrate on areas that can highlight each nation's advantages and strengths; appropriately integrate international practices and practices, giving each other top priority in accordance with the unique characteristics of the Vietnam-Laos relationship; while prioritizing economic development cooperation and make the most of each nation's ability to contribute to the growth goal, working together to uphold political stability in each nation, bolster security and order, and support regional and global peace.

In addition, it is necessary to encourage collaboration in the areas of politics, party building, government, culture, health, education, national security, and defense while increasing the accountability of responsible authorities in carrying out the agreements and arrangements between the two States and the two Parties.

To fulfill the demands of national development in the digital age, continue to build comprehensive relationships, share knowledge of theory and practice, and enhance collaboration in the training of human resources, particularly high-quality human resources.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic's founding and the 105th anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane's birth (December 13, 2020–December 13, 2025), the Party, State, and People of Vietnam are joyful and enthusiastic about the remarkable accomplishments of the Party, State, and People of Laos over the previous 50 years.

Simultaneously, I am convinced that, under the astute leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will continue to make significant progress toward safeguarding and constructing the nation, firmly advancing the Lao nation toward socialism, a wealthy populace, a powerful nation, and a cohesive, democratic, just, and civilized society.

Promoting the unique traditional relationship, the Party, State, and People of Vietnam are committed to making every effort to ensure that the friendship between Vietnam and Laos is long-lasting and sustainable, worthy of the unique relationship that both Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane, as well as the people of both countries, have worked so hard to cultivate.