Vice President Mrs Viengthong Siphandone (fifth from right), accompanied by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Ms Fang Hong and other high-ranking Lao and Chinese officials on Saturday view exhibits at the National Culture Hall. The event was organised to mark the 65th anniversary of Lao-Chinese diplomatic relations, which is also being celebrated by 2026 being named Laos-China Friendship Year.

Vice President Mrs Viengthong Siphandone, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Ms Fang Hong, together with Lao and Chinese officials and performers, gather on stage at the National Culture Hall on Saturday following a show to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Lao-Chinese diplomatic relations.

Members of the Mangkonethong Spirit Association (right) on Friday give 100 million kip to Vientiane authorities to help pay for repairs in Sikhottabong and Naxaithong districts after several thousand houses and other buildings were damaged during a freak hailstorm last month.

Residents of Phonsim village in Kaysone Phomvihane city, Savannakhet province, gather for the annual rocket festival over the weekend, hoping that rockets fired into the heavens will trigger rain so they can plant the new rice crop.     --Photo Simvongxai