Gen. Ngô Xuân Lịch, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence of Việt Nam (middle) takes a group photo with leaders of the Lao Ministry of Defence at a ceremony held in Vientiane on Monday to confer the highest decoration of the Vietnamese Party and State on the Lao People's Army. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

VIENTIANE — The Vietnamese Party and State have conferred the Gold Star Order on the Lao People’s Army (PLA) in recognition of its achievements and contributions to strengthening ties between the two countries.

Authorised by Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, Gen. Ngô Xuân Lịch, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, presented the country's highest honour to the LPA at a ceremony held in Vientiane on Monday.
The Vietnamese Party and State also awarded other orders to 53 units and 35 individuals from the Lao army, on the occasion of the 70th day of Vietnamese soldiers in Laos.
Speaking at the event, Gen. Lịch said the conferment of the orders is recognition of the contributions of the Lao People’s Army in fostering Việt Nam-Laos friendship, solidarity and co-operation, and deepening the close relations between the two Parties, States, and armies.
In his speech, Lao Defence Minister Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath expressed deep gratitude to the Party, State, people and army of Việt Nam for their support for the Lao People’s Army, especially in material assistance and personnel training, saying this contributes to tightening bilateral relations.
On the occasion, Defence Minister Lịch presented US$50,000 in aid to Lao people in central and southern localities, who were seriously impacted by storms and floods in September this year. — VNS