Dr Sonexay Siphandone (fifth right), Mr Pham Minh Chinh (fifth left) and Lao and Vietnamese ministers share in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park in Vientiane.

Laos, Vietnam PMs break ground for construction of public park

Lao and Vietnamese government leaders on Friday took part in a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Public Park in Dongmakkhai village, Xaythany district, Vientiane.
Those taking part in the ceremony included Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and ministers and senior officials from Laos and Vietnam.
Head of the Administrative Office of the Party Central Committee, Mr Thongsalith Mangnomek, said construction of the park had been endorsed by the governments and politburos of the two countries to symbolise the special solidarity and cooperation between their parties, governments and peoples.
The park would be a meaningful symbol of the shared longstanding political ties, special relationship and great friendship between the parties, governments and peoples of Laos and Vietnam, he said.
The park will cover an area of three hectares and will feature a statue of former Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong and former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
The statue will be engraved with scenes depicting the two nations’ struggle for sovereignty and liberation from foreign domination.
The park will have a visitor reception and management office, a waterfall, areas for relaxation, a children’s playground, lighting, and trees.
It will be a place where various events can be organised and people can visit to reflect on the close and enduring strong bonds between Laos and Vietnam.
Construction of the park was initially endorsed in 2022, when the two governments began the selection process for an architect and contractor to build and landscape the park.
Great care was taken in the design of the park, which took place in several phases.
The park is a gift from the Vietnamese Party Central Committee, government and people to Laos, and reaffirms Vietnam’s continuing support for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.  

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 13, 2025)