HÀ NỘI – Dozens of photos featuring the landscapes and people of Laos are on display in downtown Hà Nội in order to celebrate the friendship between Laos and Việt Nam.

Titled The Beauty of Lao Country and People, the exhibition is part of a series of cultural activities themed "Vietnamese Culture & Tourism Days in Laos and Lao Culture & Tourism Days in Việt Nam 2017". The event aims to celebrate 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of friendship agreement between the two countries.

“Our Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has organised various activities on this important occasion,” Bouangeun Xaphouvong, Lao deputy minister of Information, Culture and Tourism told Việt Nam News, “This exhibition displays the most up-to-date images on our process of building, protecting of our country as well as the joint efforts by Vietnamese and Lao people in the process, as well as the friendship and love between the two peoples.

“The exhibition also expresses Lao people’s warm heart and feelings to their Vietnamese friends. We will never forget the support from Vietnamese Party, Government and people,” he said. “Now we are still going forward side by side in the development process together with other countries in the region and the world.”

The exhibition runs at the Việt Nam Centre for Exhibition, Culture and Arts, 2 Hoa Lư Street, till Friday.

The celebration programme include exchanges of artists performing arts in the two countries. Artists from Laos have been performing folk songs and dances popular in traditonal rituals and ceremonies in various locations.

Such a show took place in Hà Nội yesterday at the Opera House, while the same show will be organised at Lam Sơn Theatre, central province of Thanh Hóa tomorrow and on Friday at Hải Phòng Opera House. — VNS