Strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation and preserving common heritage

VHO - On the morning of October 2 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong had a meeting and worked with Lao Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa on the occasion of the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam which will open tonight at the Hanoi Opera House.

Welcoming Lao Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa and his delegation to Vietnam, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong sent his best wishes to the delegation and believed that the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam 2025 will be a great success, leaving a deep impression in the hearts of the people of the two countries.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong affirmed that Vietnam and Laos are two close neighboring countries, connected by mountains and rivers. The people of the two countries have a long-standing, loyal, and close traditional relationship .

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong received Lao Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa

The Deputy Minister assessed that the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam in 2025 is one of the practical activities to implement the Cultural, Arts and Tourism Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Laos for the period 2021 - 2025.

“With special solidarity and friendship, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism have cooperated effectively in maintaining the annual rotating Cultural Week in each country. The event helps to honor the long-standing friendship and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Laos; at the same time, it is a bridge to help increase mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, and an opportunity to promote traditional arts and rich cultural heritage of the Lao people,” Deputy Minister Ho An Phong emphasized.

According to the Deputy Minister, with a long tradition, Vietnam - Laos cultural, sports and tourism cooperation has continued to take place substantially and effectively in recent times and achieved many important results.

Notably, the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) in Paris (France) adopted a Decision approving the adjustment of the boundary of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri province, Vietnam), to include Hin Nam No National Park (Kham Muon province, Lao People's Democratic Republic), with the name: "Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park" in the World Heritage List. The Deputy Minister stated that this is the result of close and meaningful cooperation.

Overview of the reception

Along with that, the project to build the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Park in Vientiane is being urgently implemented for handover to the other side. The Deputy Minister affirmed that this is a typical project, with profound political , cultural and historical significance, symbolizing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Based on the achieved results, the Deputy Minister hopes that the two countries will jointly develop infrastructure, create favorable conditions, and continue to support each other in developing culture, sports and tourism; for the common interests of the two countries.

Regarding the heritage of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park and Hin Nam No National Park, the Deputy Minister suggested that the two sides continue to cooperate closely to preserve and promote the heritage value and deploy reasonable exploitation. Thereby, the heritage will become a driving force for tourism development, contributing to the socio-economic development of Vietnam and Laos.

With sincere thanks for the warm and thoughtful welcome from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the delegation, Deputy Minister Darany Phommavongsa and the delegation expressed their honor to visit and work in Vietnam on this occasion.

Deputy Minister Darany Phommavongsa said that the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam will contribute to fostering the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Deputy Minister Darany Phommavongsa added that Laos has recognized the Truong Son Trail - Ho Chi Minh Trail on Lao soil as a national historical relic of Laos.

Vietnam - Laos strengthen cooperation in culture, sports and tourism for the common development of the two countries

The route was once an important "bloodline", connecting the Northern rear with the southern battlefield of Vietnam, contributing significantly to the cause of completely liberating the South and unifying the country; it was an important premise, providing effective support, leading the Lao revolution to final victory, establishing the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975.

Deputy Minister Darany Phommavongsa also highly appreciated and thanked the great support of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in submitting Hin Nam No National Park (Kham Muon province, Laos) to become a World Natural Heritage. The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to cooperate to promote the most effective heritage conservation work.

Agreeing with the proposals of Deputy Minister Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister Darany Phommavongsa said that the two sides need to increase professional exchanges on cultural, tourism, media and publishing cooperation; and organize more Vietnam-Laos cultural exchange events.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/tang-cuong-hop-tac-van-hoa-du-lich-gin-giu-di-san-chung-171877.html