(KPL) The groundbreaking ceremony for the Lao-Vietnamese Friendship Park was officially held on January 10, 2025, in Dan Xang Village, Saythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR. The event was graced by the presence of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with senior leaders and stakeholders in Lao-Vietnamese bilateral relations.

During the ceremony, Mr. Thongsalith Mangnormek, Head of the Party Central Office, emphasized the significance, background, and purpose of the project. He highlighted that the park symbolizes the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, governments, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam. The project was initiated through agreements by the two nations' political bureaus and governments.

Spanning a total area of 3 hectares, the park will feature statues of late President Khaysone Phomvihane, late President Souphanouvong, and late President Ho Chi Minh. These statues will be placed on a marble pedestal surrounded by walls adorned with carvings depicting the culture, lifestyle, and unique relationship between the Lao and Vietnamese peoples.

The park will also include an administrative building, reception area, public restroom facilities, a waterfall, a recreation zone, a children’s playground, and landscaping with flowers and green trees. Once completed, the park is expected to be one of the greenest and most beautiful in Vientiane, serving as a space for relaxation, exercise, and education about the history of Lao-Vietnamese cooperation and solidarity.

The project, a gift from the Central Party, Government, and people of Vietnam to Laos, underscores the enduring friendship and comprehensive collaboration between the two nations. The park will stand as a lasting symbol of unity and mutual respect.

Planning for the project began in 2022, with a location determination ceremony, architectural design competition, and subsequent consultation with leaders from both countries. The finalized design reflects the project's historical and political significance and its role in strengthening ties between Laos and Vietnam.

KPL