HÀ NỘI – Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held a grand ceremony at its headquarters in Hà Nội on Tuesday to receive a top award.

VNA was given noble orders by the State of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara presented second-class Isala (Freedom) Orders to the VNA and VNA General Director Nguyễn Đức Lợi.

Meanwhile, third-class Labour Orders were bestowed on several VNA collectives, namely the Editorial Secretariat and External Relations Department, the Domestic News Department, the News for Foreign Service Department, the Press Photography Department, the Vietnam Pictorial, the VNA Technical Centre, and the VNA bureau in Laos.

Speaking at the event, VNA General Director Lợi said the recognition is from the Lao Party and State for the effective co-operation and support between the VNA and Khaosan Pathet Lao (KPL) – the Lao News Agency - during the revolutions in both nations.

On behalf of the VNA staff, Lợi thanked the Lao Party, State, and people for creating favourable conditions for generations of VNA officials, experts, reporters, and technicians to fulfill their international missions in Laos.

“Vietnam News Agency will expand collaboration with KPL, making contributions to preserving the traditional friendship, special relations, and comprehensive co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos,” he said.

After the Geneva Agreement on restoring peace in Việt Nam was signed in 1954, the country was divided into two regions. The north was liberated and entered a period of socialism-building, while the south fought against the US imperialists.

Facing numerous difficulties, the VNA assisted the Lao revolution by sending experts to Laos and opening training classes. In addition, the VNA provided Lao colleagues with materials, equipment, and machines, helping them fulfil missions entrusted by the Lao Party.

When the two countries were liberated in 1975, cooperative ties between the two news agencies entered a new phase. The VNA has continued its support and exchanged experience with the KPL, aiming to develop both into more modern news agencies. – VNS