The art program with the theme “Vietnamese lotus soul – Champa color” in Vientiane on July 18. (Photo: To quoc)

Long-standing cultural traditions

Vietnam and Laos are both located on the Indochina peninsula and share many similarities in terms of nature, environment, cultural landscape, drinking Mekong River water and leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountain range.

Both countries have a tropical monsoon climate. The two people are constantly confronted with difficulties and uncertainties as a result of changes from extreme weather. They have learned to unite and rely on one another in order to survive, resulting in community and collective strength. One of the virtues and good qualities of agricultural residents is their diligence, hard work, and patience; they also have an optimistic spirit and believe in a bright future.

Historically, colonialists and imperialists colonized Vietnam and Laos, making people's lives extremely difficult. There was a time during the revolution when the resistance was "a thousand pounds hanging by a hair." To defend their independence and freedom, the people of the two countries stood shoulder to shoulder, building strength to unite and defeat the aggressor. Years of heroic and resilient struggle have forged the tradition of passionate patriotism and indomitable spirit of the two countries' troops and people.

With an important geopolitical position and similarities in natural geographical conditions and historical traditions, the leaders of Vietnam and Laos have established friendship and solidarity from the start, demonstrating the will and determination to build a more stable, developed, and prosperous nation and region.

Promoting positive cultural values

Inheriting and promoting a long-standing cultural and historical tradition with high values, Vietnam and Laos have always focused and strengthened their comprehensive strategic relationship and cooperation in all fields, including the cultural field.

Many memorandums of understanding on cultural exchange and cooperation have been signed over the past 60 years, since the day Vietnam established relations and cooperation with Laos. Many cultural programs, events, and activities are organized and held in both countries to commemorate major holidays and the anniversaries of significant historical and political events.

Vietnam has issued a number of priority policies over the years to support the training and development of human resources for Lao students and officials to study and advance their professional qualifications.

At the same time, the two countries used non-refundable capital to build infrastructure and cultural institutions, such as projects and works: President Kaysone Phomvihane Museum; National Film and Motion Picture Archive; Lao National Cultural Center's Vietnamese space; Laos National School of Musical Arts,...

A series of cultural and artistic events have been held in many provinces and cities of the two countries, attracting thousands of people, especially on major holidays, in the round and even years of the anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.

There have also been many meaningful cultural activities that took place on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and the celebration of the Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022, such as the photo exhibition "Lao-Vietnamese friendship is eternal and sustainable", the sculpture and painting camp in Laos, the art program "Vietnamese lotus soul – Champa color", among others.

The Ho Chi Minh Complete Works translated into Lao. (Source: VNA)

The two countries have collaborated in translating works imbued with Vietnamese culture into Lao language, such as books on politics, economy, culture, and society discussing the two peoples' special solidarity, particularly the project to translate the complete works of late President Ho Chi Minh from Vietnamese into Lao.

In terms of tourism, a number of well-known cultural heritages in Vietnam and Laos have been registered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which also attracts people of the two countries. With approximately 1 million visitors in 2019, Vietnam ranked third in the number of tourists to Laos.

In order to promote tourism of the two countries and attract more tourists in the region, Vietnam and Laos have been actively promoting cooperation within the framework of ASEAN cooperation, Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit (CLMV), Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV), Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and other cooperation frameworks.

Laos is currently preparing documents to be submitted to UNESCO in order to include Hin Namno National Park on the list of world natural heritage, which would be combined with Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a world natural heritage of Vietnam, to form an interesting and appealing tour and itinerary.

These cultural and artistic programs and events have helped to strengthen friendship, solidarity, and attachment between the two countries while also spreading good cultural values to the community and domestic and foreign tourists.

In order to adapt flexibly to the new normal context, the two countries must continue to preserve and promote their close, trustful, and strong relationship as well as to make the most use of cultural values and human strength of the two countries, as stated in the resolutions of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the XI Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.